posted 10/20/2010:
Something I love that I can't always find in stores: Chocolate-covered cinnamon Altoids.
Sooooo . . . if you were my witchee and if I managed to get childcare & went, is there anything in particular (from Violette Market) you'd be interested in? you can even check out the other crafters (like candle lab) at Craftin Outlaws to give me suggestions! I don't have time to look through all of those, but if anything seems appropriate, sure!
I came home with some Dungeon Crawl and some Bedbugs yesterday. If you were my witchee, would you want some of either/both? Sure!
Was there a question about Halloween hand sanitizers? If yes, then my answer is that I might well be interested, depending on the notes. Preferably in tiny containers.
Would you want your witch to reveal herself? How? I really like it when my witch reveals (I would love to know who you are and gush at you and get to know you, my Witch, because you seem really awesome!), but if you prefer not to, I'll understand. How? Well, however you like!
I have an idea for a crafty project, but if it should be "fail" would you want it? Yup!
Are you interested in Halloween costumes for your pet(s)? No pets, and honestly I probably wouldn't put a pet in a costume, anyway, unless it were obvious that the pet really enjoyed or something.
Today I got one of the Starbucks Halloween Bearista Bears - it's dressed like a werewolf! Is this something witchees might like? Sure, those are cute!
Tartchef asks: Sandalwood Vanilla, all lovely & creamy & soft, like Gjetost Sweet Witchee, this beauty needs 4-6 weeks to cure, but once it's done, would you like a sliver? Heck yeah!
Anyone else like fancy cheese? What kinds? HELL YES. Pretty much everything except blue cheeses or otherwise moldy cheeses (for example, I adore the soft, buttery middle of brie but don't like the rind), or things that smell or taste like burnt rubber (sadly, gjeltost is not for me).
Do you prefer scented or unscented lotions/moisturizers? Scented, though I have to really like the scent and I prefer if the scent is not too strong, but lingers subtly (ideally, such that I can smell it for a long time, but soft enough that it doesn't bother other people).
So....let's say that you're my witchee, and you have an affinity for widgets. Let's also pretend that I sent you one of these widgets, but in a form that has a very special personal significance to me. Would you find that to be touching (in a "Yay, now I'll always use this and think of my witch!" way) or tacky (in a "My witch is making this all about her!" way)? I would LOVE that!
Have you had a chance to try Halloweenies? If so, which ones are you really really in love with this year? I haven't gotten to try all the decants I got (and with everyone talking about The Shadowy and the Sublime I've been somewhat wishing that I'd gotten that one to try, too), but of the ones I've tried, I've adored Pom II, Pom V, and Blue Pumpkin Floss (and I also really liked Pom IV and Lambswool 2010). I have a ton more to try, though. I'll attempt to get through the ones I have this week with the report!
I know these have been mentioned before, prolly even in SW, but they sut came to my attention & I think they are very cool. Pocket shrines! Would you like one, made for a particular obsession of yours? Sure!
Oooooh Witchee?? Would you like to try Paintbox Soapworks new soap? Ooh, yes, I would indeed!
posted 10/9/2010:
Addendum on amigurumi: a cactus or tree would be nifty! Or a hedgehog! Or a penguin! Or a shark!
I need to know what color kitchen my witch has! Beige walls, warm tan stucco tiles, medium-dark wood, grey counters, black countertop on the island.
If your witch worked for, say, Starbucks, would you like any coffee/instant coffee/tea? Sure!
Are you in need of Roller bottles or anything of the like? "Need" is a strong word, but I'd like little ones, maybe decant-sized or so, possibly bit larger than that.
Is there one scent that is your goto for comfort on a bad stressful day? For stress, Baku! I swear it's the equivalent of a half-hour massage -- I can actually feel my muscles relaxing and my head clearing. It's amazing. For cheering up, though, I tend to go for Aglaea, my very first BPAL love. It's so bright and warm and juicy and shimmering and gorgeous, it's hard to be unhappy in the face of it.
Beets: Are insanely delicious when roasted. I like lentils, too! And potatoes and swiss chard and lettuce. And truffles and earthy mushrooms! Apparently dirt is yummy!
What are you going to be for Halloween? I probably won't. All of my costumes are halfway across the country in boxes. ;_; Which is especially sad because I now live in the kind of neighborhood where lots of children trick o' treat, and I think it would be fun to dress up for them. My go-to costume is a succubus -- black bat wings and twisty horns, both dusted with gold, and a devil tail made of black and gold ribbon.
Just found this : http://www.etsy.com/...ref=seller_info Oh God. The caramelized onions. The apple butter. The PUMPKIN BUTTER. It all sounds so fabulous. I wonder if my witchee would like any of those...hmm hmm. If I am your witchee, the answer is YES. I love stuff like this. A lot! *goes to update Etsy* [A ton of the Fusion Sweets caramels, marshmallows, and cookies sound incredible, too. Any size, samples, whatever, it's all good! ]
Is there something just super random you like/enjoy/want/are ogling that has not been and will not be covered by any other questions, because it's just that WEIRD? I would LOVE poi, the kind good for a beginner. Also a long (12' or so), wide (~1' -- online they keep saying 3", but I know it's much wider than that, much wider than the rhythmic gymnastics ribbons, definitely) "ribbon" (thin satin or medium-weight silk -- because of the aerodynamics) on a stick, the kind used in Chinese ribbon dance, preferably in the color black, possibly a pair.
Also, I like weaponry. I own an enormous double-headed throwing axe (best Valentine's Day present ever), a large machete, a pair of Hibben throwing knives, and several other small knives and daggers. I would adore something like a smaller pair of throwing axes, or more high-quality throwing knives, though nothing along these lines is likely to be in your price range... I've been wanting to start going to a gun range regularly, too. I'm not sure I actually want to own a gun (and I'm definitely never joining the NRA -- I'm all in favor of waiting periods, background checks, limiting the illegal supply, etc, and if they could make full-out gun control work, I'd probably be in favor of it) , but I think they're quite beautiful in a deadly, gorgeously engineered way, and I've decided that it's a smart life skill to have, being able to accurately shoot one.
How are all the witchees fixed for purses--lunchbags, etc? I am super picky about purses (I only use one at a time and I have a lot of specifications -- black, exactly the right size, super sturdy, can go really casual or fairly fancy, and is easy to organize), but I like bags in general (tote bags, messenger bags, grocery bags, duffle bags, backpacks, luggage, etc), and a lunchbag could be awesome.
Villainess has an update. Anyone wanting anything from it? I don't see the update per se on the website (the equivalent of BPAL's "new" page), but if we're talking about the current Black Labels: Mudslide sounds pretty neat, Birth Rite sounds yummy, Trauma sounds intriguing and fabulous, Quick or Dead? sounds interesting, and Smashing and Peachberry Custard sound AMAZING.
Would you like a sugar skull decorated by your witch? Or do you like sugar skull stuff in general? A sugar skull decorated by my witch, perhaps. Sugar skull stuff in general is not really my style (ahhhhhhhhhh, colors nooooooooooooo), but I do like skeletons and skulls, especially animal skeletons and rock 'n' roll skulls (my undergrad dorm had the motto "Sport Death: Only Life Can Kill You" and banner based on the cover of a Hunter S Thompson novel (it was essentially a skull made of the colors and pattern of the American flag... ah, here: http://web.mit.edu/senior-house/www/images/sportdeath_vector.svg -- it's a bit, er, colorful for me, but super nostalgic!), but I liked them even before that... though they're a bit tricky sometimes because it's easy to make them ugly or too cliche... but sometimes they're fabulous).
SCENT ADDICT IS DOING SOME HAUNT PRE-ORDERS. DO YOU WANT ANY HAUNT?? Oh wow, some of this looks AMAZING.
Top choices: Lavender Spice Tea lip, The Old Cider Mill glossing oil.
Most interested: Caramel Apple lip, Lavender Spice Tea lip, Golden Pumpkin sugar polish, Golden Pumpkin glossing oil, The Old Cider Mill glossing oil.
Quite interested: Pumpkin Cake lip, Burying Tree sugar polish, Coffee Fiend sugar polish, Winter House perfume, Borgia perfume, Witch-Wife glossing oil.
Possibly interested: Laffy Taffy lip, Winchester perfume.
So, who here loves pomegranates? Are the good as a fruit, a flavoring or just a scent? Love is a bit strong (there are other fruit I love more... but that's more because I am crazy about fruit), but I like them a lot as all three. Also, I love their mythological significance.
Now, I have a question for you. About notes. Which are your favourite ones? Do you have a kind of "note top ten?" Anything that works particularly well on you? Do you have a perfume category (foody, floral, aquatic, musky) that you favour? And are there any notes you have never tried, but think would work well on you? ... Surely I have provided enough info along these lines already? If not, please feel free to ask for more, dear Witch, especially if you have a particularly specific/directed question. I just can't think of anything to add offhand.
Do you have a preferred weight of yarn to work in? Lace, sock, worsted, bulky, handspun with variation? Have not become a yarn user in the short time since the last yarn-related question. But in general, I tend to like lightweight yarn.
Anyone like little seasonal decorative wreaths? Like gravevine wreaths embellished with silk flora, etc.? ... Possibly? I guess it may depend on the wreath?
Do any witchees need a Snuggie? No, thanks. Unless the material were super, super soft and thin and sturdy and nice. Or it was homemade. The cuddle wrap appeals to me a bit more than the snuggie, for some reason, probably because it sounds a bit more versatile. Mostly I don't get cold, except when I'm really tired, but when I'm tired, I do very much enjoy snuggling down in a blanket, I must admit, especially if my environment is nice and cool. But usually after a little while I kick my feet out into the open air, because I often need quite a bit of air conditioning even in that state.
Would you like to receive international magazines, even if you don't speak the language it's written in, just to ogle the pictures or for the novelty of it? If yes, what kind of magazines, or what magazines in particular? Sure! I'm... not sure. Anything it seems like I might like, really!
So I was looking for some patterns for my sisters bday and found these (http://www.bpal.org/topic/70244-halloweenie-switch-witch/page__st__4050__p__1844128#entry1844128). If someone were to make you one, which one? #2! The hood is cute, unusual, and useful. #4 could be interesting and pretty, too, though definitely in a different color.
If you were my witchee, would you mind a gift certificate where you'd have to do it old school style and mail it in with your order form? I wouldn't mind.
Did you forget anything fun/interesting or find something new and exciting? ... Nothing I haven't already mentioned, as far as I can think of offhand. Though it occurs to me as I go to make my Inquisition order, I'd love to try their massage oils -- Ugh is at the top of the list, but also TKO and Aeris. I'm also contemplating The Fainting Couch Atmosphere Spray. (But I'll be waiting until after the round is over before acting on any of these urges...
If there was one bottle you could have from the NYCC exclusives, what would it be None of them are must haves for me.
Restaurant.com is having 90% off with code WOW. Any Witchee's have favorite restaurants that show up on it that they would like a GC from?? Not in particular, but I'm up for trying anything that sounds yummy.
Is anyone interested in Dia de Los Muertos/Halloween-themed Lush products? The Calavera bath bomb looks AMAZING, the Witches' Ball bubble bar looks potentially awesome, Ghost sounds like it could be really lovely.
Would you have interest in any of the new Christmas stuff from Lush?
top choices: So White Bath Bomb, Iced Wine Jelly, Bon Bon Lip Scrub, Mandarin's Tea Party Soap.
most interested: Angel's Delight Soap, Li'l Lush Pud Bath Bomb, Satsumo Santa Bath Bomb, So White Bath Bomb, Hokkaido Winter Bath, Gingerbread House Bubble Bar, Buche de Noel Cleanser, Iced Wine Jelly, Bon Bon Lip Scrub, Maple Taffy Lip Balm, Mandarin's Tea Party Soap, Snow Globe Soap.
quite interested: Cinders Bath Bomb, Sugar Plum Fairy Scrub, Bearded Lady Bubble Bar, Glogg Shower Gel, Snow Fairy Lip Tint, Once a Year Massage Bar.
possibly interested: Candy Cane Bubble Bar, Snow Fairy Shower Gel, Christmas Eve Bubble Bar, The Boog.
If you could make a scent that represents where you live (or have lived), what would be the ingredients? Hrm. I don't think I know Austin well enough yet. I think my ideal Austin scent would include thunderstorms and lightning and hail. I think my least ideal Austin scent would include a lot of patchouli. Probably the most accurate Austin scent would include both of those, plus hipster cigarettes, barbeque sauce from the aggressively Texan suburbanites, and bluebonnets, the state flower, which grow along the sides of the highway in spring.
La Jolla was salty sand and surfboard wax and sunscreen from the beach bums, cactus flower and torrey pine and ocean breeze from the natural environment, yachts and golf courses and backyard citrus trees from the posh part of town, laced with faint whiff of airplane fuel and machine gun smoke from the military bases.
Stanford was Spicy Maya hot chocolate and espresso and pu-erh tea with condensed milk, steamed custard buns and almond croissants, light brown flagstones in the sun, leather and books, palm fronds and aloe plants and kumquats.
Boston was damp, half-melted, slushy snow, sideways rain on the Charles River, autumn leaves and cobblestone streets and community gardens in spring, high tea and horchata, apple cobbler and creamsicle floats, and the scents of the Copley Square Farmers Market: sunflowers, lavender sachets, rosemary honey, heirloom tomatoes; cider doughnuts and foccacia and fresh-baked sweet potato bread consumed while sitting next to the fountain, dangling your feet in the water.
And the Twin Cities were lilac buds on the first of May, crab apple blossoms and honeysuckle, juicy wild blackberries and Haralson apples picked right off the tree, clear lakes warm in summer and icy-chill in winter, cold dry snow, fresh wet snow, evergreens and birch bark and bonfires.
My childhood was those background scents, plus the addition of five-spice, ginger, black tea, oolong tea, jasmine tea, Botan rice candy, black sesame candy, rose pastilles, apple juice, grape juice, orange juice, oranges, red bean soup, blueberry muffins, a fortune cookie, rosewood furniture, a Chinese dictionary, Chinese calligraphy paper and ink, osmanthus, mangoes, hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows, and a delicate openwork sandalwood fan.
My teenaged years were those background scents, plus American Spirit cigarette smoke twined with clean boy musk seeped into black leather jacket, lemongrass, clove cigarettes, french fries dipped in chocolate shake, green park grass and rocky waterfalls, and an apple-cinnamon muffin and pot of hot coffee from Perkins.
So, I realized belatedly that there seems to be a character-count limit in these blog posts, which meant that my earlier answers were cut off. So I've divided the answers into separate posts. The first is answers posted 9/13/2010 and before, the second (this one) is answers posted 9/13-24, and the next one will be for later answers.
Addendum on artists: I like Ansel Adams and that style of black & white landscape. Also Edward Gorey.
Addendum to things I keep meaning to buy but just haven't: a tape measure, one of those soft fabric ones for sewing, NOT a hardware one.
Addendum to books: I'd love to read MeiLin's book: http://www.meilinmiranda.com/store/lovers-and-beloveds-paperback
Also, I've been dying to try Rococo chocolates from the UK: http://rococochocolates.com/ -- particularly Caramelised Almonds Dark, Cardamom Dark, Cardamom White, Christmas Pudding Dark, Cinnamon Milk, Dark w/ Jasmine, Dark w/ Rose (or Milk, or Floral Bee), Dark w/ Violet, Earl Grey Dark, Lavender Dark, Morello Cherry Dark, Morrocan Mint Dark, Orange & Geranium Dark, Arabic Spices Dark, Rose Otto Milk, and Sea Salt Milk bars. Also Chocolate Stem Ginger, Flower Fondant Creams (Fiori e Cioccolata),
Crystallised Rose Petals, English Rose Sweets, Turkish Delight, Frutti di Bosco, and any of the pralines or almonds or hazelnuts or wafers (the more interesting the better!) or truffles or mixed chocolates or marzipan or the "Mixed Clutch."
How many bottles of BPAL do you have? 72 BPAL, 17 possets, 1 cobalt blends. Approximate, because all of my BPAL is at the old apartment -- I should be retrieving it in December. I'll probably get rid of a fair chunk of that... and then turn right around and buy some more. /o\
Of the books and music mentioned by voodoocatwoman in the thread, I think I'm only interested in the international music, and that only vaguely. Personal Demon by Kelley Armstrong sounds interesting, but I am a stickler for reading things in order and would not want to have the 8th book of a series without having read the first 7.
Is there any exercise program that you're interesting in learning? Meditation, Yoga, Pilates, Belly Dancing, Zumba ect? Or if you do any of these (or anything else sport related) are there any things you need/want? Candles, music, mats, water bottles ect? Yoga, Pilates, Pilates-Infused Yoga (my favorite, if taught well -- a DVD of this would be really neat), Tai Chi, Bellydance, and general Dance equipment would be welcome (I'd be up for trying Zumba), as would candles for Meditation and one of those metal water bottles that supposedly have no taste. Oh, and addendum to the "things I have been really wanting for a while but keep failing to buy"(the Exercise edition) -- a Camelbak! Or similar backpack water delivery system. I need to for these annoyingly hot and sunny climates if I'm ever going to actually leave the house, and they're good for vacations, too. I need exercise clothes, too (especially a good sports bra -- very very tricky), but those are hard enough for me to pick out, much less someone else, so don't worry about that. I could see maybe a sweatband being useful, though.
Anyone else into Emily Autumn? I've heard of Emilie Autumn but I don't think I've heard any of the music, at least not in any context where it stuck. My impression is that her stuff is the kind of thing I should logically like, but might actually hate. Or might end up loving. Unclear. She's been a little overhyped to me, which is probably one of the main reasons I haven't gotten around to checking her out. (I have a perverse streak. It is not always convenient, but it is what it is.)
But, dearest witchees and witches, do you like Girl Scout cookies? What kind? Hell yes! Thin mints are my very favorite, but I also love love love both types of the peanut butter ones. I like all of the others, too!
What's your take on homemade apple butter? Want some? OMG YES.
Do you like garlic? Do you REALLY like garlic? Would you want to try some really unusual garlic stuff, like garlic cheese or garlic fudge or garlic chocolate, etc., etc., etc.? Chocolate or sugar + garlic, well, I feel very dubious about it, but might try it just for the sake of saying I did. However, garlic cheese, garlic paste, any kind of savory garlic stuff -- BRING IT ON! Because I REALLY like garlic, oh yes I do.
Can I talk to you about the living dead? How do you feel about Zombies? I am not obsessed with zombies, but I do have a mild affection for zombie stories and zombie paraphernalia in general. (Also, the way ChildofTime phrased the question really makes me want a button that says "Ask me about the zombie apocalypse!" on it in super cheery text. It would be awesome!)
Do you have a deviantart print wishlist or favourites list? I don't, sorry.
What kind of shoes do you need/want? What size shoes do you wear? Would you mind gently used shoes? I do not mind at all gently used shoes. My shoe size is 8W or 8 1/2, usually, though it depends some on the brand/style. Also they are kind of... high? Round? Not as flat in shape as some people's apparently are -- adjustable straps are a godsend. I used to joke that I wore my Docs so long that they conformed to that shape, if that helps. I prefer flats to heels (though wedges and some kinds of heels work pretty well -- I'm always excited when I find a heel that actually works for me and my weak ankles, it has to do with the balance -- usually not too high and definitely not stiletto). I like round-toed and square-toed, definitely not pointy-toed (though oval-toed can be okay). I like mary janes and strappy, relatively feminine-looking sandals. Some good boots would be awesome (I have wide calves, though, which limits the selection of the taller ones). Except for boots I prefer my shoes to be lightweight or vented or otherwise good for summer, due to living in a place that's almost always too warm for me.]
Do you like paper dolls (new or vintage) or coloring in books? I do! I enjoy both of those... or at least having the material to do so. Love the Dover books.
Anyone else have strong feelings about androids? I find them quite fascinating. I love 2046, Blade Runner, Data from Star Trek, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, etc.
Do you like weird scary things as traditionally girly fashion items like heels and handbags? Well, yes, though like I said, the heels are a bit tricky, and I only use one purse at a time (which must be durable and well-organized and nice-enough looking for most situations). But in general, I really like girly-styled stuff with gothy themes and colors -- skirts, cute shoes, jewelry, etc -- and definitely am more likely to like those than traditionally girly themes and colors. "Gruesome," not so much, but scary and dark, yes.
What song is on heavy rotation for you right now? Still have the same album on repeat, song most stuck in head probably "Are We the Waiting" or "City of the Dead." Galahad mentioned "Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri in the thread -- prior to American Idiot (Broadway), that was probably my last song song obsession.
Would you (assumin' you're a yarnie) be interested in a naturally-dyed yarn that's designed to very gradually fade with washing? Still not into yarn.
Are you coveting any of the NYCC atmospheric sprays? Nope.
If you could get any one thing hand-painted from your witch, what would it be and what would be on it? Probably an imp or bottle box, or jewelry box. But hand-painting things are in general awesome! I... have no idea what would be on it. Greek or Chinese goddesses, maybe? Anything, really!
Do you collect stones/rocks? I'm talking like "semi" precious stones, ie moonstone, bloodstone, quartz ect. Are there any that you're looking for at the moment? Are you in need of a stone but don't know which kind? (many stones have a specific purpose, ie bloodstone helps when you're ill, moonstone is said to help conceive a child.) Yes. Well, "collect," is a strong term, but I love them. A wonderful previous witch sent me some lovely ones! I'm not looking for any in particular right now that I know of, but money/job luck, serenity, and clarity of mind would all be really helpful for me right now.
What's your favorite Halloween Music? Bela Lugosi Is Dead! Also, Nick Cave, Loreena McKennitt, Dead Can Dance, Sisters of Mercy, etc. And classical music -- "Night on Bald Mountain," "In the Hall of the Mountain King," etc. (I like Grieg and Mussorgsky in general, too!)
MAC Venomous Villains I don't wear of ton of makeup, it's true, but when I do, I adore MAC! And I really love the idea of that collection. The intense colors of Maleficent especially! (The nail lacquers and the plums! *swoon*) But most anything from that collection (or any MAC collection within the last few years, really) would be fun to try!
New Question: Just curious, but if your witch was to make an amigurumi critter (or other plushie) just for you, what would it be? I'm open to lots of different animals. Off the top of my head -- bear, tiger or panther or other cat, octopus, spider, bat, wolf, coyote, raven, falcon or hawk or owl, super cute dog (I like terrier faces the best, but other dogs are good, too).
Would you want a local/tourist item from your witch? Like a t-shirt, mug or shot glass? I would! Assuming the t-shirt was a babydoll or other curvy girl/woman cut! Mugs and shot glasses are a-ok, as are things like magnets (love magnets from different places!) and postcards or books. Local food would be kickass!
Do you <3 the Last Unicorn and/or how badly do you want to try the new scents? VERY VERY BADLY OMG. (website for reference: http://www.conlanpress.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=C&Category_Code=CM)
Who is your fav Disney Villian/villianess? How about hero/herione? (doesn't have to be specifically Disney though) I have a big soft spot for Ursula because I adore her song -- and her theatricality! (I do love Maleficent, too! And Cruella de Ville for the song about her, especially the Replacements covering it!) Favorite Disney heroine/hero/protagonist is Belle. Because she is smart and awesome and independent and compassionate and loves to read! I like a lot of them, though.
If you have played before, what are some of the most memorable things you've gotten? What really made you go WOW? If you haven't played, same thing, but not limited to SW. I don't feel right answering this question. Suffice it to say that I've loved everything my previous Witches and Swap Faeries have ever sent me.
Okay, who wants NAlloween and some Vampire Apothecary goodness? Probably... *goes to look*:
NAlloween (http://www.nocturnealchemy.com/limited-edition.html):
most interested: Hathor's Caramel Honey Tea, NAlloween Skarab Treasure Box.
quite interested: Serpent of Chaos.
possibly interested: The Black Pyramid, Devouress of the Dead, Tomb Robber, Deity Moon, Serapium of the Serapis.
VApothecary (http://www.vapothecary.com/): Vampire Moon sounds amazing, and Pharoah Moon intriguing. I have to admit that I'm finding their prose kind of painful, and in need of a good edit... but possibly their scents will make up for that. As for the rest of the it:
top choices: Masquerade Queen, Halloween 2010, Samhain, Hyphialtes, Sherbat, London.
most interested: Masquerade Queen, Masquerade Drakon, Masquerade Lacroix, Victoria, Halloween 2010, All Hallows' Eve, Burning Jack, Halloween 2011, Samhain, Hyphialtes, Sherbat, Spooktacular, Pina Ghoulata, London.
quite interested: Mina, Lothaire, Holger, Soren, Eidolon, The Lighthouse, Hungarian Snow, Count Choco, Bat's Brew, Mumiyah Cake, Nemisynthe, New Orleans, Salem.
possibly interested: Masquerade King, D, Jacek, Viktor, Asylum, Vincent, Haunted House, Incorporeal, Ghost of the Moors, Riven, Vesper, Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Zerachiel, Uriel, Lycanthrope, Nikolav, Wraith Talbot, Sylverthrone, Silver Dust, Medusa, Zombie, Ahm Shere, Shroud, The Mummy, Tomb of the Undead, Rise of Anubis, Eternal Underworld, Devil Cake, Transylvania, Venice.
Is there anything from Blooddrop that you want to try? GC? Halloween update? Sure! Let's see:
Top choices: Incantation, Broomstick, Killing Time in Taipei, L'Shana Tova, Empress Ming Li Zho’s Sparkling Infusion for Happy Brightness, Frau Von Schtinklestein’s Partially Completed Barvarian Love Essence. I would also love to try the Eau Douce Floral & Herbal Facial Mist, Apricot Blossom Facial Toner, Lilac Glisten, Huile de Bain (bath oil) in Dollface or Peachskin, and Nectar Facial Serum.
Autumn 2010:
most interested: Hayride, Incantation.
quite interested: Apples & Bones, Casting a Spell, Channeling Spirits, Ritual, Sinister, Things that go, "Bump!" in the Night, The Veil between Two Worlds, Walking Through Walls.
possibly interested: Pink Pumpkin, Raising the Dead, The Ruby Cauldron, Seance.
Other Limited Editions and exclusives:
most interested: Filly, Dances of Vice.
quite interested: Cafe Oblique, Merry Legs.
possibly interested: Good Gyne, Kelpie, Pegasus.
GCs:
most interested: Bisou, Bonne Nuit, Broomstick, Citrouille, Delicieuse, Dollhouse, Eiffel Tower, I had a Pony, If Wishes Were Horses, Killing Time in Taipei, L'Shana Tova, Soleil, Empress Ming Li Zho’s Sparkling Infusion for Happy Brightness, Frau Von Schtinklestein’s Partially Completed Barvarian Love Essence.
quite interested: Cafe Zazou, Dandelion Wine, Devonshire Cottage, Frida, Josephine, Les Madeleines, Mourning Dove, Pumpkin, Unlikely, White Pumpkin, Yellow Kimono, Dixie Elouise Adelaide Deschamps’ Perfectly Legal and Innocuous Kissing Cake.
possibly interested: Buche de Noel, Diabolique, The Emerald Dragonfly of Whisperting's Bridge, Luna Moth, Melancholia, Ruffles, Bustles & Corsets, Star Light, Star Bright, Sultrylicious, The Zodiac Club, Madame Pompidou’s Elixir Secret pour les Maladies et Crises du Coeur.
What's on your walls? Please show us up to three paintings/posters/whatever. If you love a painting so much that you would steal (to watch it with your greedy eyes) one, please share.
I mostly fail to ever put anything up, but if I were to ever get around to it, I have a few pieces that would get first dibs on space.
1. A Sandman poster -- I can't find an image of it online, unfortunately, if I'm remembering it correctly (it lives halfway across the country in a closet, awaiting the day I have space for it). However, I think it's something like an amalgam of the colors of this poster combined with the artist (Amano) of this one:
2. Charles Vess Stardust prints -- I bought the original five-print set years and years ago at an sf/fantasy con art show. There are six of them now (I should really track down my number and order the sixth one), which can be seen here. They're all gorgeous, but this one is my very favorite:
3. Strangers in Paradise San Diego Comic-Con exclusive prints -- I have 2007, and I think 2009 as well:
As for a painting I'd steal... Gosh. I am really not super knowledgeable about art, though I like a ton of it. Right now, I'm going to go with Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night Over the Rhone. It is just incredibly beautiful, and I love its whole atmosphere and feel.
Larger pics of all of these in my gallery.
Who likes hair toys, and if so what kind? I love hair toys! I wear hair sticks most often, but I also like little snap clips for taming flyaways, no-snag elastics (in standard size (for ponytails) and mini size (for braided pigtails), and decorative hair pins and combs. I've been in the market for a fascinator, as well, and I like trying new types of hair toys. I wear the very occasional barrette or jaw clip, but they have to be able to handle a LOT of hair.
Does any art we may send need to be child safe, either in the actually safe sense or the non X rated sense? Nope! Tasteful NSFW stuff is terrific; for example, I love vintage pinups.
In the knitted/crocheted things area, would you want wrist warmers, 1/2 gloves, a neck warmer(the kind that pretty much just goes around your neck and maybe fastens instead of being long and loose like a scarf), slippers, or hats? The only one of these that really appeals to me is slippers.
How do you feel about altered/recycled/upcycled items of clothing or accessories? Love 'em!
What is your favourite habitat and climate to live in? How about to visit? (ie. forest, canyons, mountains, by the beach; temperate, tropical...) I like visiting just about all climates/habitats, but I prefer my exposure to super hot, super humid climates to be very (very) limited. I like super temperate climates also (especially the ones with cooler temperatures), dry or rainy, though in the end I prefer to live more long-term in places with active, real, true, full seasons -- real snow in the winter, real wet, green spring, real fall with foliage, real summer with warmth and such (though that could be as short as possible, the shorter the better) and good strong thunderstorms. I like weather. I like oceans, but I like rivers even more, and I love love love lakes. I adore mountains (glaciers and snowy peaks and evergreen forests! okay I like the other ones, too) and classic woods and forests, and I have a soft spot for plains and landscapes that glaciers left behind. I enjoy canyons, badlands, mesas, and rocky deserts, as well, but more for visiting than for living. My favorite climate that I've lived in (out of Minnesota, Boston, the Bay Area, San Diego, and Austin) was Minnesota's (with Boston second and the Bay Area third), and Austin's my least favorite, though San Diego's in the running for least favorite as well.
What do you wish you could make/craft if you had the know-how and supplies? Specifically, which particular items? Soap (of various types, mostly bar soap), bath bombs, really bubbly bubble bath, candles, hair treatments. Jewelry -- I enjoy soldering! Canning, perhaps. I would be interested in a truffle-making book, and a candy-making book (and supplies). Possibly clothes (especially awesome skirts). Musical instrument making would be neat. Possibly metalworking. I'd like to get back into photography. Ooh, and calligraphy! And visual art in general.
How do people feel about edible arrangements? www.ediblearrangements.com: They look really yummy!
Anyone need address/phone type books? I could use one.
I wondered if my witch or any witch would enjoy things like nice pens to draw with or anything similar? YES!
For those who are yarnies, would you like other-than-yarn witchery? Hooks, needles? Preference of material? Do you use/would you like handmade stitch markers, etc.? Nope.
Lipbalms: flavor preferences? tube/squeazything type or lip pots? Citrus, mango, melon, watermelon, apple, peach, apricot, berry, cherry, pomegranate, rose, mint, honey, lychee... Possibly others that aren't coming to mind at the moment. Tube, definitely, but I'd try a pot if the lip balm is especially awesome.
Does anyone do altered books? Would you be interested in old books to alter? Any type or title in particular? I've never tried it, but it sounds like an interesting thing to try!
Did someone ask about incense yet? Would you like some? Something to store or burn it in? What scents? What form? Incense might be nice, but I'd need a holder (unless it is small cone incense, which I have a small holder for thanks to my wonderful Dollar Store Swap Faery) and I am not really into the traditional ritual/worship blends from any faith or practice. But if there are scents that sound like they might appeal based on my perfume note preferences, I'd be up for trying them!
Any oddball free things you collect or would want saved for you? Not that I can think of offhand. Matchbooks, maybe? Pretty business cards or postcard ads? Possibly free city reader type magazines if they have a particularly interesting articles?
Soaps : do you like them? What brands? What scents? Anything you're dying to try? I do. Anything I like in perfume notes will probably make good soap, and I might even like some florals better as soap (like the ones that tend to go floral anyway). Citrus is probably my all-time favorite soap scent, including related things like lemongrass and verbena (though I like most other citrus scents more than I like straight-up lemon). I like other fruits a lot, too, and some foody notes like spices and vanilla and honey and ginger, some herbs (rosemary is one of my favorites, but others as well), and some florals (rose, lilac, lavender, osmanthus, cherry blossom). I prefer bar soap and hand soap pumps to shower/bath gel. Scents to avoid: violet, plumeria and other strong Hawaiian florals, straight-up lemon, anise/licorice, and probably cake/bakery-type scents. I am also not very into minty/fresh/clean/masculine sorts of scents for soap (though the very occasional aquatic will capture my fancy), and orange blossom is iffy.
Do you read/like fantasy? What kind of books or authors do you love? Which one would you like to read? Would you like gifts related to it? Yes, although I'm much more into urban fantasy and near-future (often dystopian) sf and speculative fiction than epic/high fantasy these days. Related gifts could be neat. For some specifics about which books and authors I love, see my answer to the "comfort re-reads" question. If I were to pick One Fantasy Novel I currently want to read that I don't yet own, I guess I'd go with... Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia by Cindy Pon. If we're including sf and speculative fiction, then probably The Windup Girl by Paolo Baciaglupi.
New Event Exclusives:
Most interested: none of them are must-haves, thank goodness.
Quite interested: Sibyl, The Elephantine Colossus, The White Lady of Durand Eastman Park.
Possibly interested: The Lady of Lake Ronkonkoma.
If you happened to be my Witchee, is there something you'd like from the Arcana Halloween update? I have no idea if Arcana works on my skin. Perfume Oil unless noted.
Most interested: Kincardine, Ruby Crow, Sleepy Hollow, Skeleton Key soap, Straitjacket soap.
Quite interested: Dancing in the Boneyard, Haint, Little Ghoulie, Skeleton Key, Straitjacket, Stretched on Your Grave, Sleepy Hollow soap.
Possibly interested: Caffeinated Death, Dia de los Muertos, Guy Fawkes, Zombie's Cucumber, Dead Reckoning Soap, Dia de los Muertos soap.
Is there anything you want from the Violette Market update?
I've never tried Violette Market and would love to! I'm sure there are lots of things from the other collections I would like as well, but here's from the four that I think are the most recent (soaps or perfumes are both welcome):
Most interested: Marty (Magic Fingers) McVay, Doc Brown's Medicines and Elixirs, Miss Julia Star, Miss Lily Mae, Miss Susanna West, Sophia Peabody, Pink Golden Apple
Quite interested: Miss Scarlet Foster, Lydia's Firefly Lanterns, Beggar's Night, Calaveras Chocolate, Calaveras Pasteles, Glowing Jack O' Lantern, Golden Autumn, Witch's Apple, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Sleepy Hollow Churchyard, Washington Irving, Lisbon Seaport, Spice Island, The East Indies, Lost at Sea, Witch Mermaids.
Possibly interested: Diablo Canyon, Ghost Town, Diablo Skull, Vincentio The Coffin Maker, Black Moon Saloon, Bag of Bones, Mick (Magic Pistol) McVay, Sheriff Lonestar, Ms Dolly's Frock Shop, Ms Kitty's Cathouse, Pumpkin Lanterns, Miss Bella Wyatt, Miss Bonnie Rue, Miss Danie Doe, Zarya Occultist and Tarot Card Reader, Raven's Midnight Pumpkin Patch, Gertrude's Half-Haunted Bake Shop, Calaveras Negro, Ghost Dancer, Spirit Cakes, Sugar Shock, Autumn Bonfire, Boston Tea Party, Faith, The Reef Journals, South Winds of the Atlantic, The Captain's Quarters, Eye of the Hurricane, Ghost of the Virgin Bride, The Sea Dragon, Under the Pacific Waters, The Cargo Ship's Rescue.
Is there anything you would like from Conjure Oils general catalogue or the new updates that isn't already on your wishlist? The solid perfume sounds interesting. Soap sounds fabulous -- all four of this month's sound yummy -- in vague order of interest: Oshun, Perfect Pumpkin, The Light Crone, and La Calavera - the Skull. And... oh god, this took forever, but it was fun:
Top desires:
Four Leaf Clover, Chai Spice Tea, Luscious Grapefruit, Perfect Pumpkin, Blue Rose, Antique Rose Attar, All Night Long, La Flamme, Cornucopia, Ca$h Flow, Money House Blessing, Prosperity, Fire of Inspiration, Healing Way, Joy Joy Joy, Meditation, Mermaid's Tears, Most Peaceful, Wepawet's Read Opener, Friendship, Happy Home, 777, Fast Luck, Attract, Job Finder, Prosper, Has No Hanna, Crucible of Courage, Repelling, Safe Journey, Mercury Retrograde, Poet's Potion, Libra, Scorpio, Sun, Venus, Naima, April - Pink Moon, June - Rose Mead Moon, August - First Fruits Moon, The Light Mother, The Light Queen, Jin - Metal, Talker, Mari, Heaven Shiner - Above, Wisdom, La Cafetera (coffee), El Melon (the melon), Las Cerezas (the cherries), La Palma (the palm tree), La Pera (the pear), La Estrella (the star), Jade Dragon, The Pernicious Parasol, Amaterasu - She Who Illuminates Heaven, Jezebel - Sanctify Sexuality, Sarasvati - Indian Goddess of Art and Intellect, Loki - Giant Mischief, Maneki Neko - Beckoning Cat, Sacred Heart of Jesus - Agape, Oshun - Beautiful Orisa of Sweetness, Patron of Love, Mabon - Autumnal Equinox, Cherry Red Lipstick, InjureAle, Sloe Gin Fizzy, Blood Type O
Limited Editions and Newfangled Notions:
Most interested: Haunted Hayride 2010, Four Leaf Clover, Rabbit's Foot, Step on a Crack, The Whore on Tour - Wine Country.
Quite interested: Abbadon, Dagwanoenyent, Mara, Pazuzu, Alien Autopsy 2010, Calavera de Azúcar 2010, Hänsel und Gretel 2010, Sweet Death 2010, Witching Hour 2010, Guardian Angel, Lucky 13, Malocchio, Shattered Mirror, Snake Eyes, Miss Lucy's All Dolled Up.
Possibly interested: Glasya Labolas, Incubus, Lucifer, Ol' Scratch, Satanel, Succubus, Abandoned Morgue 2010, Punkin' Head 2010, Black Cat Crossed My Path, Fu Lions Guarding the Front Gate, Lucky Horseshoe, The Devil Made Me Do It, 666, All-Hallows Resurrected, Lucky Bastard's Friday the 13th Blues - August.
Apothecary:
Most interested: Chai Spice Tea, Luscious Grapefruit, Perfect Pumpkin, Sweetest Strawberry, Blue Rose, Aged Leather, Egyptian Cinnamon, Indonesian Clove Bud, Antique Rose Attar, French Lavender, Madagascar Vanilla.
Quite interested: Lightning & Rain, Black Tea, Coconut Milk, Raw Honey, Sugared Milk, Calla Lily, Mimosa (Acacia), Night Queen, Golden Amber, Iranian Pomegranate, Old World Jasmine, Tunisian Neroli.
Possibly interested: Tomato Leaf, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Champa Bouquet, Pink Lotus, Dragon's Blood, Ethiopian Frankincense, Sweet Myrrh, Egyptian Musk, Mysore Sandalwood.
Book of Shadows:
Most interested: All Night Long, Forgive Me, Handfasting, Heartbreak Balm, La Flamme, Night Witch, Cornucopia, Easy Life, Lady Luck, Lucky #13, Lucky Hand, Bayberry, Ca$h Flow, Gnome's Gold, Millionaire's Mansion, Money House Blessing, Prosperity, Anointing, Esbat, Fire of Inspiration, Healing Way, Joy Joy Joy, Knowledge Supreme, Meditation, Mermaid's Tears, Most Peaceful, Wepawet's Road Opener, Dragon's Fire, Jinx Smasher.
Quite interested: Delightful, Pleasure & Pain, Lucky Charm, Guardian Angel, Kyphi, Banishing, Evil-B-Gone.
Possibly interested: As You Please, Bewitching, Enchanting Spirit, Faery Wings, Sabbat, Witches' Flying.
Hoodoo:
Most interested: Friendship, Happy Home, 777, Fast Luck, Attract, Bling Bling, Job Finder, Money, Money Magnet, Prosper, Has No Hanna, Crucible of Courage, Personal Power, Success, Protection, Repelling, Safe Journey, St Michael the Archangel.
Quite interested: Come to Me, High John the Conqueror, Black Cat #13, Make a Wish, Van Van, Boss Fix, Protect My Money, Faith, Hope, Charity, Strength, Zip It.
Possibly interested: Follow Me Boy!, Love Drawing, Reconcile, Pay Me Now!, 23rd Psalm, Abramelin, Blessings, Dream True, Espiritista, Lord's Prayer, Sacred, Serenity Prayer, Uncrossing, Return to Sender.
Via Carpathia:
Most interested: Blood Type O, Immortal.
Quite interested: Bat's Blood, Dove's Blood, The Countess.
Possibly interested: Blood Type A, Blood Type AB, Blood Type B, Love Eternal, Vampire Kisses.
GCs:
Most interested: Mercury Retrograde, Poet's Potion, Gemini, Cancer, Libra, Scorpio, Full Moon, Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Naima, Tahia, Hand of Fatima, Radio Bastet, January - Ice Moon, April - Pink Moon, June - Rose Mead Moon, August - First Fruits Moon, The Light Mother, The Light Queen, Jin - Metal, Black Heart of Innocence, Talker, Mari, Heaven Shiner - Above, Shining Flame - South, Love, Wisdom, La Cafetera (coffee), El Melon (the melon), La Muñeca (the doll), Las Cerezas (the cherries), La Palma (the palm tree), La Pera (the pear), La Rosa (the rose), El Sol (the sun), La Estrella (the star), Bête Noire Brew, Jade Dragon, The Pernicious Parasol, Amaterasu - She Who Illuminates Heaven, Aphrodite - Greek Goddess of Love, Athena - Greek Goddess of Wisdom & War, Demeter - Greek Great Mother Goddess of Bounty, Eve - Biblical Temptress, Hera - Goddess of Women and Matrimony, Jezebel - Sanctify Sexuality, Kwan Yin - Chinese Bodhisattva of Compassion, Lillith - Primal Female, Nuit - The Celestial Cow, Persephone - Queen of the Underworld, Salome - Dance of the Seven Veils, Sarasvati - Indian Goddess of Art and Intellect, Shakti- Feminine Power Unleashed, Whore Of Babylon - Sacred Slut, Marie LaVeau- New Orleans Voodoo Queen, Beast of Babylon - The Whore's Apocalyptic Steed, Dionysus - Intoxicating Ecstasy, Ganesha - Elephant-Headed Block Buster, Loki - Giant Mischief, Maneki Neko - Beckoning Cat, Sacred Heart of Jesus - Agape, Obatala - Orisa of Peace, Patron of Humanity, Oshun - Beautiful Orisa of Sweetness, Patron of Love, Shango - Orisa of Thunder, Patron of Drumming and Dance, Yemaya - Orisa of the Ocean, Patron of Women and Witchcraft, Litha - Summer Solstice, Lammas - August 1, Mabon - Autumnal Equinox, Bathtub Gin, Cherry Red Lipstick, InjureAle, Sloe Gin Fizzy.
Quite interested: Glamour, Aries, Taurus, Leo, Sagittarius, Waxing Moon, Waning Moon, Blue Moon, Jamila, Samia, Serena, May - Flower Moon, July - Thunder Moon, September - Harvest Moon, October - Blood Moon, The Shadow Queen, The Light Crone, Boreas - North Wind, Zephyrus - West Wind, Notus - South Wind, Huo - Fire, Blue Fire, Fetch, GodSelf, Quakoralina, Nimue, Self, Power, Passion, Knowledge, Liberty, El Alacran (the scorpion), La Herradura (the horseshoe), La Luna (the moon), El Cacto (the cactus), La Maceta (the flowerpot), La Calavera (the skull), La Corona (the crown), Earl Black, Pirate's Breakfast, Gears of Imagination, Artemis - Greek Virgin of the Moon & Hunt, Astarte - Middle Eastern Goddess of Sexuality, Bastet - Egyptian Goddess of Cats & Perfumery, Brigid - Celtic Goddess of Fire and Inspiration, Coatlicue - Serpent Skirt, Aztec Mother Goddess, Inanna - Sumerian Goddess of Sex, War and Fertility, Kali Ma - Black Mother of Time, Lakshmi - Indian Goddess of Wealth, Morrigan - Celtic Goddess of Death and Magic, Pomba Gira - Primal Vamp, Baron Samedi - Haitian Lwa of the Dead, Freyr - Bountiful Harvest, Zeus - Ruler of Mt. Olympus, Agallu - Orisa of the Volcano, Patron of Transportation, Ochossi - Orisa of the Hunt, Patron of Law Enforcement, Beltane - May 1, Samhain - October 31, Flapper.
Possibly interested: Glitch, Shapeshifter, Virgo, Capricorn, Pisces, Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Nadia, Nagwa, Nejla, Zeinat, March - Storm Moon, November - Frost Moon, December - Full Long Nights Moon, The Light Maiden, Menstrual Blood, The Dark Maiden, The Dark Crone, Eurus - The East Wind, Anemoi - The Four Winds, Tu - Earth, Shui - Water, Mu - Wood, Kala, Melek Taus, Anna, Arddu, Star Finder, - East, Water Maker - West, Black Mother - North, Guardian of the Gates - Center, Sex, Pride, Law, El Árbol (the tree), La Hoja (the leaf), El Loro (the parrot), La Bruja (the witch), La Muerte (death), El Corazon (the heart), El Diablito (the little devil), La Sirena (the siren), Kraken Up!, Tempus Fugit Torte, Aradia - Bella Strega, Circe - Master Sorceress, Cleopatra - Seductress Extraordinaire, Epona - Celtic Horse Goddess, Erinyes - The Angry Ones, Eriskegal - Sumerian Queen of the Underworld, Erzulie Freda - Coquettish Lwa of Beauty, Finery and Love, Freya - Norse Goddess of Love and Witchcraft, Green Tara - Tibetan Bodhisattva of Action, Hecate - Goddess of the Dark Moon and the Crossroads, Isis - Egyptian Goddess of the World, Joan of Arc - Warrior Maiden, Nepthys - Egyptian Goddess of Darkness, Pele - Polynesian Goddess of the Volcano, Pharaoh Hatshepsut - Queen Regnant, Vajrayogini - Indestructible Diamond, Aunt Caroline Dye - Rootworker par excellence, Apollo - Divine Healer, Fenrir - Wolf of the Apocalypse, Hades - Underworld King, Horus - Holy Child, Odin - One-Eyed AllFather, Shiva - The Auspicious One, Thor - God of Thunder, Thoth- Egyptian God of Magic and Communication, Eleggua - Orisa of Communication, Patron of Crossroads, Ogun - Orisa of Iron and War, Patron of Laborers, Oya - Orisa of the Winds of Change, Patron of the Marketplace, Olokun - Orisa of Health and Wealth, Patron of the Depths, Ostara - Spring Equinox, Yule - Winter Solstice, Imbolc - February 2, Floozy, Fox Trot, Lindy Hop, Shave and a Haircut, Vaudeville.
Artists: Caillebotte, Magritte, Severini
Poet: Jacques Prévert -- preferably in French, especially if you can find French with facing English translation.
Uh. I know my Amazon wishlist is a bit all over the place. Some of it is research (hence all the military stuff)? And most of it is just random.
http://www.sephora.com/registry/list.jhtml?giftlistId=gl1106209601
Do you have a favorite quotation? Song lyric? Book passage? WhateverthehecktheycalltheanonymousregionalwisdomthingiePROVERB! Just one? Oh dear. When I was in high school I went with "success is the best revenge," but I'm not sure I believe that one anymore. I'm much more of a "happiness is the best revenge" sort of person now.
What is a bpal scent that you've been dying to try for awhile but just can't find? (A scent where even a tester would do) I haven't really been putting particular effort into find them, but I guess: Storyville, Ho Ho Ho, Fairy Wine, Fairy Market, Tokyo Stomp? Most of the stuff on my wishlist I'd be fine with just testers of, really.
Is there anything you would like that can be delivered over the internet? Things like fanfic recs, cat macros, mp3s you are looking for, how-to or amusing videos, things like that. Hmm. Maybe? Picspams, perhaps? Icons and graphics and such. Reviews of things, maybe? How-to videos sound amusing/useful... I don't know. I'm not that into macros/gifs and the like. I do like fanfic but tend to keep my fandom life separate from my real life -- contact me if you want more details about my fandom life. I'm not much into pirating, but things like mix cds delivered over the internet, or possibly things that are impossible to find, might be okay. Or, of course, stuff bought and sent electronically, also cool.
NaNoWriMo? I'll probably be doing the mini version. Though it is possible that this is the year I'll do the standard version. We'll see.
How do you feek about silly, funny knick-knack, dollar store stuff, stickers, magnets etc? Would you like receiving that kind of stuff or rather not? They can be fun! I like stickers and magnets, and I like some dollar store stuff. I'm not super into having knick-knacks just for the sake of having knick-knacks, but if one is especially appropriate for me, I'm game.
Is there a specific book you've been wanting to get but haven't found the time or the opportunity to? I can't think of anything that's not on my Amazon wishlist. Possibly the Absolute Sandmans or the Limited Edition Hardcovers of Umbrella Academy.
Do you read mangas/watch animes? Which ones? Do you have a particular favourite? Would you like to receive managas or anything related to them? Yes, I like both, as I've mentioned in previous answers. Favorite anime (off the top of my head): Studio Ghibli (Whisper of the Heart, Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, etc), Here Is Greenwood, Kino's Journey, Escaflowne, Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler), Kimagure Orange Road, Rurouni Kenshin, Witch Hunter Robin; I seem to remember enjoying RahXephon, too. Of these, I only own the Ghibli, Here Is Greenwood, and Escaflowne and would love to have the rest of them. I also have a soft spot for Kenichi and Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu because the SO loves them so (he has copies). Favorite manga: Saiyuki, Inu Yasha (which I only own in Japanese and would love to have in English), Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, Here Is Greenwood, From Eroica with Love (which I don't own yet -- I borrowed a friend's)... I also enjoyed the first volumes of Fruits Basket, Death Note, and Descendants of Darkness, and would be interested in more. And I've been meaning to pick up (manga or anime or whatever form they're in) Hikaru no Go, Saiyuki Gaiden, and Azumanga Daioh. And maybe Initial D. I'd love manga or anime or stuff related to any of these (stickers, cards, figurines, plushies, scrolls, prints, cels, etc)!
Are you open to receiving things that are not on your wishlist, maybe something your Witch thinks you might like? Yes, of course! For BPAL, there's also the list of what I already have, so there's likely no need to get me any of those. But my wishlists are not at all exhaustive, and surprises are always fun!
What would your last meal be if it could be anything in the world (sky is the limit, drinks too, the whole shebang)? A modified version of my answer to this question from a previous round: My mother's five-spice chicken drumsticks, spare ribs, and garlic spinach; steamed sole with ginger and scallions, dry fried beef flat rice noodles, tea eggs and shanghai soup dumplings and Beijing-style street vendor dumplings; the salt-crusted red snapper from Balthazar; mashed potatoes with chanterelles and morels, roasted baby brussels sprouts in browned butter, fresh sauteed young pea tips, dry fried green beans, and an Outback Steakhouse salad (it's all about the shredded cheddar and their amazing croutons) with ranch dressing; Cherry Coke, chrysanthemum tea with rock sugar, Chuao Chocolatier Spicy Maya hot chocolate from Coupa Cafe, sweet doujiang (Chinese soymilk that is nothing like the soymilk that can be acquired her in the States -- hot or cold depending on the season); dan ta (egg custard cup tarts -- perfectly cooked and fresh out of the oven), custard apple, fresh lychees, a perfect mango, a perfect Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apple, and the warm chocolate pudding cake from Legal Sea Foods. Because I am a glutton.
If you have something on a wishlist that we could craft INSTEAD of buying, though it might not end up identical to the wishlist thing, would it be okay to craft it instead? Obviously we don't want to copy anyone else's design, but if we can replicate the flavour or intent that you like without stepping on toes? Of course that's fine! Welcome, even!
OK, I know that lots of folks love socks. Do you have a preference of length? Materials? Patterns? Knee high, over the knee, thigh high, tights. Soft, thin, stretchy materials (my calves are quite wide). Pattern-wise, I tend to like stripes or lace. I'm open to other patterns, though. I usually wear them with boots, but I think it's possible that some thin stockings or tights could go with other kinds of shoes. I don't wear socks that often, but I do like some styles.
How do people feel about word magnets? (Example: here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/42179176/magnetic-poetry-sets-1-and-2) And if you like them, would you like a theme (like a particular book/movie/tv show with specific words and character names) or just general words to make sentances out of? I like them! As for a theme... um, surprise me, I guess?
If you could have any costume, or if you aren't into costumes, necklace or other accessory, from any movie character, what would it be? Off the top of my head, I'd say one of Arwen's dresses, either the red and black one, or the dark navy blue (or black? it can be hard to tell in pictures) velvet one. Or, ooh, that red dress Lucy Lawless has been wearing as Lucretia in the Spartacus: Blood and Sand promos. Spectacular.
Which Weenies do you want, but HAVE'NT gotten? Hmmmmmm? (See previous related answers.)
How do you feel about samples/decants of things other than BPAL? Soap slices, lotion/scrub/shower gel decants, single use make-up/beauty products, etc. Love 'em, generally!
What are you guys going to be aiming for in the Inquisition? Or do you just plan on ordering individual items? I'll probably just order a Treat set w/ Ginger Skulls. I'm super tempted by the babydoll scoop neck tissue tees, but I don't love the color of Treat so I'll probably end up with Trick. I'm also tempted by Bogle but I'll probably manage to restrain myself.
If I were to knit a scarf, would you prefer a skinny one, or a wide one? A short one, that when wrapped once around your neck will just tuck under your jacket, or a long one, at least to your waist? A wide and long one, of very thin material.
Don't like scarves? Would a rectangular shawl or triangular shawl be more to your taste? I'd prefer a shawl over a scarf (though I do quite like scarves in appropriate situations) -- triangular would be fabulous (especially if rounded or flared or some other pretty shape), but rectangular is nice too.
How do you feel about recipes? What kind of a cook/baker are you? Are you happiest calling for delivery or microwaving a lean cuisine? Or will Food Network be asking you to host their new program? If I send you something home made would you like the reciepe for it? If you are someone who doesn't want baked goods sent, would you like a collection of some of my favorite recipes? How about home made mixes or kits? Kind of like the cookie in a jar thing, where you would need to add the perishable ingredients? I love recipes and always want more of them! I follow directions well, and sometimes my experiments succeed. I love cooking theory and food history. I like the idea of (homemade or not) mixes or kits, too.
We had some tea related questions, but here's another: if you are a tea lover, what are your flavor preferences? Green? Black? Herbal (I know, technically those are NOT teas, but tisanes)? Flavored blacks/greens? I like all types of teas -- green, black, white, herbal, rooibus, mate, mint, oolong, pu-erh, etc, etc. I am not super into fruit-flavored teas... except when I am (feel free to try me!). My favorite teas: Earl Grey (with or without lavender or other variations), chrysanthemum tea with rock sugar, mint tea, genmaicha, rose tea, chocolate mint rooibus, linden flower tea, pu-erh with condensed milk, roasted barley tea, English breakfast (with lots of milk and sugar), Eight Treasures tea (babaocha), and lots of different kinds of chai. I also quite like oolong and jasmine and most green and white and black teas of various types, especially the classic East Asian styles.
Are there any particular movies, tv shows or cd’s that you’ve been meaning to buy for years but just never got round to getting? Would you mind a gently used dvd/cd if your witch had it or could get it?? I love gently used stuff! Let's see... Undertow by Tool (had it on tape in high school, lost in in a disastrous punctured-Coke-can-in-book-bag incident, never got around to replacing it). Adventures in Babysitting (for the nostalgia!). Gummi Bears, Animaniacs, Sesame Street, wishing they would just put out Muppet Babies on dvd already, damn it (more nostalgia). The Adventures of Brisco Country Jr (one of the best single-season shows ever). Monty Python's Flying Circus, plus Life of Brian and Holy Grail (another piece of high school nostagia). More recent stuff: Life (the tv show), and Life on Mars UK, and Queer as Folk (both US and UK), and Sarah Jane Adventures.
Would you like a custom/altered toy either from a seller or from your witch (like My Little Pony, or a Barbie or any particular toy that can be changed?) Heck yeah! I loved both of those as a kid and ones that were more in line with my current tastes would be delightful!
Anyone else feel this way? Do you like the candy apple, candy corn or pumpkin spice kisses? I have no idea. I'd up for trying them, though! Especially candy apple and pumpkin spice.
Witchee, do you like jewelry that looks back? No, I generally avoid it. The only one I like even a little is this one: http://www.etsy.com/listing/56384398/sterling-silver-gothic-steampunk-evil -- which is blue, and the eye shape is kind of neat. Hmm, and this one is pretty interesting, too: http://www.etsy.com/listing/55999738/gothic-steampunk-evil-eye-pendant-with -- mostly for the wire-wrap stuff around the eye, which is a really cool shape. But these are something I'd wear for a costume or theme, not as every day pieces. And none of the others appeal to me at all, though they're better than the standard eye beads, which I basically just dislike (they kind of give me the creeps, and not in a good way). [some of the non-eye pendants in the same etsy shop are pretty appealing, though.]
Anne Taintor, anyone? I really like Anne Taintor! My favorite journal ever acquired was this one: http://www.overstock.com/Books-Movies-Music-Games/She-Had-Not-Yet-Decided-Whether-to-Use-Her-Power-for-Good-or-for-Evil/429537/product.html -- great size and weight for carrying around, and the image/words are perfect for me. I would use those forever if I could. I also have a "there was nothing passive about her aggression" magnet and adore it. I like a lot of the other Anne Taintor designs and products too!
Which web comics do you enjoy? I don't follow any of them regularly (I am generally pretty bad at keeping up with things I have to wait for). I am fairly amused by several when pointed at them: The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage, xkcd, Questionable Content, Penny Arcade, Dinosaur Comics, Piled Higher and Deeper, A Softer World, Cat and Girl, Wondermark, Order of the Stick... I'm sure there are more that are slipping my mind at the moment. In the past I enjoyed Sluggy Freelance, Megatoyko, Boy Meets Boy, Sinfest, Lethal Doses, Something Positive, Exploitation Now, Girl Genius (in print graphic novel form)... some of those are defunct, some of those I may someday catch up on. There was also one written and drawn by three (or two? it's all very fuzzy) women in the early 2000s about a spaceship that I really liked, but I can't remember the name of it (it may have involved the world grrrl? *wracks brain*). I was sad when that domain expired.
Is there anything from the Possets' Hallowe'en update you're lusting after? The Girls Love Ginger! And Betsy the Cat, Ghost, The Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Possibly: Autumnal Equinox, Charlemagne, Gypsy Grave, Halloween, Marnie, Melanie, Naked Lady, Phantome, Pumpkin PURP, PumPom, Scythe, Wraith. I have no idea if Possets will work on me. But those four sound the most appealing.
Who is your favorite soap etailer? I'm not sure I have one. I'd love to try Paintbox Soapworks and Villainess, of course! But there are plenty of others I'd like to try, too.
What kind of make-up do you wear? What colors? Is there anything you'd like to try but haven't yet? See my previous answer about make-up for kinds. As for colors, I like dark red and dark berry lip colors, and vibrant jewel-tone eyeshadow and also shimmery neutral eyeshadow. I have dark brown eyes, if that helps. I'd like to get more into lip stains and lip plumpers, maybe? I've been considering getting an eyebrow brush/comb? Oh, and I've been wanting to try out Kat Von D's lipsticks and eyeshadows (her dark red lipsticks and awesome eyeshadow palette colors have a lot of potential).
What about vintage decoration items, teacups, etc etc? I like vintage (and vintage-y) things!
What interests you from the latest lab update? None of the Dawn scents really appeal, and I'm waiting for my stuff from decant circles shows up before making a pronouncement about the Halloween BPAL scents. Except I know that I'd love love LOVE to try The Heraeon of Argos. Of the forum only stuff, I would love to try Lilith's Tea Party. I'm also really interested in trying Mabon 2010, and possibly also Wildfire 2010.
Do you have a place where you list all the BPAL you have or have tried? Yup, there's a list of all the BPAL I've ever had in my possession in my blog. I don't have a list of everything I've tried, but I'm pretty sure I've posted reviews of everything I've tried, so looking for that using the search function should be a way to see.
With regards to your gifts, would you prefer your presents' awesomeness evenly spread out (several packages of pretty terrific things) over the round or a slow build-up of awesomeness (going up from pretty cool things to something super-duper cool at the end) to go out with a bang? Do you have a preference? Either!
Do you crave many Ecards and contact or are you okay with little contact from your Witch? I like some contact but I don't need massive amounts to be happy. Just the fact the my Witch sent me one at the beginning of the round is lovely! <3 And totally enough, if that's what works for my Witch, though more contact would be totally fine, too. Whatever you like. It is a comfort to simply know that you exist.
Who would be on your top 5 (IE famous people you’d date/have relations with) Well, a longer list is under the question "Mancandy" and "Womancandy," but if I had to narrow it down to five, today I think my answers would be: 1. Stark Sands. He was high on the list but not quite this high after I saw him in Generation Kill, but now that I've seen him in two musicals -- and have been playing the cd of one of those musicals constantly; I seriously love his voice -- he's moved up the stack dramatically (he plays guitar in American Idiot, even -- it's... incredibly hot). I am such a sucker for musicians. 2. Jon Huertas. Between Generation Kill and Castle... *swoon* 3. Drew Barrymore. She's basically the perfect combination of cute and quirky and sexy and beautiful. She also strikes me as fun, creative, and smart. These are all things I really, really like. 4. Clea DuVall. She's just incredibly hot, and so, so compelling in any role that she's in. 5. Tie! Alexander Skarsgard or Naveen Andrews. Between Generation Kill and True Blood, it is basically impossible for me to deny Alexander Skarsgard's appeal; also he sort of reminds me of my favorite ex-SO (I get on really well with my exes in general), so that's both a point in his favor and yet a bit strange. Naveen Andrews, though... the man is fine, and super intense, and seems to have a very strong sense of self. HOT.
What is your position on the chocolate & bacon flavor combination? It's tasty, but not the be-all-end-all. At least, I tried the Vosges bar and it was good but didn't usurp the Barcelona bar as my favorite Vosges. I do want to try super-crispy bacon (the way I like it) freshly dipped in good dark chocolate sometime, though, but I suspect I'm just going to have to make it myself because it wouldn't travel well.
Do you like maple sugar candy? Love it!
If you are a tea-drinker do you need a tea-cozie for your pot? Ooh, that would be neat!
Go to your spice cabinet, what are the three most used spices? Cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper. If black pepper doesn't count, then garlic salt. The boy uses a lot of TexJoy.
Microsoft or Apple? Apple. I do also like Unix-based systems, but am not currently running one (unless you count Mac OS X's Unix back end -- one of the reasons I like Macs now, true multi-tasking is delicious).
Where was your last vacation? What did you like most? Fort Davis, Texas. The cooler temperatures and dry air -- and also the pretty, pretty, gorgeously dramatic thunderstorm we got.
Would you appreciate receiving handwritten letters and/or postcards (anonymous or not)? How about sending them? Yes, and yes.
Would you like something you have to make yourself? Quite possibly! Assuming it's something I'm interested in doing anyway and/or is not tooooooo time consuming/complicated/extensive.
Are you allergic to any food things?? Blue cheese.
Do you hate any food things with a passion?? "Hate with a passion" is a bit strong, but I'm not very fond of licorice, roasted red peppers, green peppers, or green olives.
Would you be opposed to receiving a digital version (via email) of a magazine you like but don't subscribe to...you know, in the interest of saving a tree? I would not be opposed at all!
Chocolate or other types of candy? I love dark chocolate (both with and without inclusions), and I love milk chocolate with nuts in (or other inclusions), and I love dark milk, and I love spicy chocolate and chocolate w/ sea salt, and I like some white chocolate and plain milk chocolate. I also like non-chocolate candy -- smarties, skittles, starburst, hard candy (lemon drops and the like), mints, those Chinese rice paper candies, those sugar-coated shaped jellies (the orange slices and watermelon rings, for example), black sesame candy, pocky... I'm always up for trying new candy. ETA: I ADORE toffee! And I'm fond of saltwater taffy. And pralines, YUM!
For tea drinkers, do you prefer loose leaf or tea bags? I like both, but I'm on the lookout for an infuser at the moment.
If you would enjoy something of a knitted persuasion, do you have a preference on type of thing? Since making a scarf for someone who has 10 might be a smidge excessive? Also, how do people feel about shawls? I'm pretty sure I've covered this in detail in a prior question about knit things. I'd love a shawl -- I especially like the lacy ones. For all knit things, the thinner the better. I am serious about this. Thick knit things are very unlikely to get used. Well. Unless they are too soft to resist...
Is there a TV, movie or literary character that you are a lot alike, or would like to be alike? Offhand, I think I'd like to be Sophie Hatter/Pendragon from Howl's Moving Castle, or perhaps Millie from the Chrestomanci books, or perhaps Maree from Deep Secret (both from books by Diana Wynne Jones) -- all strong-willed, practical women who nonetheless have more than a touch of magic to them.
Is there anything you need for your kitchen, ie measuring cups, spoons, grater, ect? A hand-held orange juicer, the kind that squeezes. A really good can opener, perhaps. A small (thin) rubber spatula. A tea ball/infuser or packet of fillable tea bags. Silicone muffin cups, silicone cookie sheets. A popsicle making kit. Cool cookie cutters and candy molds (and soap molds).
Music, DO you prefer Live or Studio? Edited or explicit? I love both studio recordings (especially if they aren't overproduced) and live recordings (assuming it's a good, high-quality, well-balanced recording). Explicit for me, please -- edited is... not my style. I am very much against censorship, and I appreciate a well-used expletive and/or shocking content, and would be sad if they were excised.
If you are an animal lover, is there a specific type/breed that you love most? I like all types of (real) bears as well as panda bears, I love black cats, maltese and siamese (and related/similar breeds) cats, and most especially, I love classic black-and-grey(-and-white) domestic shorthairs (American shorthair style mackerel silver tabbies, basically). I like ravens and hawks and falcons, and big cats, especially and tigers and pumas and black panthers. I am not usually a dog person, but I have a soft spot for Westland Terriers and Scotties.
Also flowers and plants- If you like flowers/plants, do you have a favorite(s)? I am generally not to be trusted with live plants (though I do have more time than I used to... maybe a plants with super clear instructions?), but I do like flowers and plants. Favorite flowers: lilacs, roses, honeysuckle, osmanthus, cherry blossom, apple blossom. I also like tulips, daffodils, irises, ladyslippers, orchids, water lilies and lotuses. As for non-flowering plants, I like herbs and aloe and vegetable plants (useful plants, in other words), bamboo, and cacti. And trees, of course. I love trees. Classic trees, evergreens, unusual trees. I like them all!
Let's say, hypothetically speaking, that you have some children/spawn (1 or more), and, hypothetically speaking, your witch would like to spoil them a little but knows nothing of kids these days. What do they like or dislike? Also is there anything a (sane) adult might think they would like that you don't think is appropriate for whatever reason? (I'm thinking of things like temp tattoos, make up, things that make noise, or anything else that might be bad for non-obvious reasons.) No children here. Unless you count the Boys (grown-up children as they are), who like anime and video games and sweets.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go to last.fm immediately and create an account! Download the scrobbler! Link us to your account! If you reject this assignment, maybe just tell us what your mp3 player says you listen to a lot? Things that have been on serious repeat recently: American Idiot: the Original Broadway Cast Recording, The Airborne Toxic Event, Muse, Tom McRae, Okkervil River, Richard Thompson.
Is there any country you particularly like, or are interested in? Hungary, Italy, Norway, France, England, Greece, China, Morocco, Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Peru, Poland, Czech Republic, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and I'd like to visit Israel and Germany and Holland and Spain and Portugal and Korea and Singapore at some point... [Okay, top 6: Hungary because I loved Budapest, Italy because I loved Rome and Venice and Florence and basically everything, Norway because I want to see the fjords very badly (and I love glaciers), China because of my heritage and studies, and... France and England because I've always wanted to visit them and I know I'd love both their cities and their countryside. But I'm interested in tons of other places, too.]
Are you a foodie? I am! (In the loving-actual-food sense, anyway.) Or at least I'd like to think so.
Another question: Would you enjoy homemade bath products (bath salts, fizzies, etc.) and/or linen sprays? Esp. if scented with some of your favorite BPAL scents? Would I ever!
If you witch made you something and it didn't come out just right, would you still want it? Absolutely!
If you could see one concert right now, who would it be? Led Zeppelin, though I know it's basically impossible. I would say Muse, but I'm seeing them at Austin City Limits next month (finally!). There are a couple of Chinese bands I'd love to see (again). Hmm. Something more plausible... I know! Tom McRae. The guy has to come to the US sometime, right? Or I guess I could just go to England... I need to try to catch Christian Kane in concert sometime, too... at least he's in the right country.
Any sports fans in the house? What's your favorite sport/team/player? I'm not really much of a sports fan, alas. I do like figure skating a lot (current favorite figure skater is probably Adam Rippon or Daisuke Takahashi), and am secretly fond of hockey despite not really following it. It's my favorite team sport to see live, though. My loyalty goes to Minnesota teams, primarily.
For holidays, do you decorate? Would you like decorative stuff, weenie or otherwise? If so, do you lean towards the elegant, the crafty/folksy, or the more, erm, campy? I am not a huge holiday decorator, but I have been known to enjoy it on occasion. I like elegant the most, but crafty, folksy, and campy can all be appealing, depending.
Do you like journals/notebooks/sketchbooks? I do! I love journals, especially ones with blank paper or graph paper (though lined is also fine); I've actually been on the hunt for a tiny journal or notebook to carry around with me as my Moleskine is just about filled up. I like bigger ones, too! I also like sketchbooks, and have been thinking about getting back into pastels/pencils/charcoal -- I miss doing art (even though I'm not super great at it... but I enjoy it).
How do you feel about stationery, like nice pens or notepaper? And if you're in favor, do you prefer classic/contemporary or cutesy stuff? I LOVE stationary. LOVE. I definitely prefer classic/contemporary in stationary, elegant and clean, but sometimes cute stuff will appeal to me, and might well get used because I know the person I'm writing to likes it.
Would you like homemade preserves (e.g. marinated vegies, pickled onions, chilli jam?). I think so? I am sometimes iffy on pickled stuff, but the other two examples sound pretty good to me.
If you've got stuff on your BPAL wishlist, would partial bottles be okay? Of course! Generally I welcome bpal in whatever container it comes in. I love partials because it's fun to see the bottle art! But I love decants/imps and bottles, too. It's all good!
Say you were my witchee, and I found things on your wishlist that I could totally make. Would you want me to make it? Or would you rather it be purchased for you? Either is totally welcome!
If you could be any person, being, or animal from Fantasy what or who would you be? Hmm. Maybe Sophie Pendragon nee Hatter from the Diana Wynne Jones novels featuring her? Or Eddy from War for the Oaks!
If you could go back to any point in time, where, when, why? To visit, there are a lot of places that would be fun to see (assuming some way of dealing with language issues... and also possibly some way of disguising my sex and race...), but I don't think I'd want to go back to any point in the past and actually stay there and live out the rest of my life. I'm too attached to modern convenience, communication, medicine, travel, other technology, and social mores, and too much of a historian to have a utopian view of the past. The percentage chance of being anything but a starving peasant is just too low. However! If I were forced to choose a place and time... Tang Dynasty China (or perhaps Han Dynasty), Athens during the Age of Pericles, Shanghai in the 1920s and 30s, or Renaissance Italy.
Favorite Halloween Candy/Treat? In terms of typical things actually acquired during Trick-or-Treating: Snickers, Almond Joy, Reeses Pieces, Reese Peanut Butter Cups (I love the enormous holiday ones!), Peanut or Almond or Peanut Butter M&Ms, Andes Mints, those mini Toblerones, Hershey's milk chocolate with almonds, Almond Hershey's Kisses, Kit Kats. I also have a soft spot for Starburst, Nerds, Skittles, and Smarties. Seasonal foods: caramel apples and apple cider, apples in general, pumpkin pie, roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin bread.
What are your favorite baked goods/homemade treats? Oh geez. I love basically everything. Brownies (especially mint, cream cheese, caramel/turtle, or peanut butter), other bars, cookies of pretty much all types, fudge, truffles, caramels, rice krispie bars, cinnamon rolls, friendship bread, quick bread (pumpkin bread, zucchini bread, etc), coffee cake, spice cake, pound cake, doughnuts, chocolate mousse, flourless chocolate cake, bete noire, strawberry shortcake, apple crumble, cherry pie, pear almond tart, tres leches cake, almond cake, carrot cake, scones (especially the small, tender, British kind), crumpets, rye bread, baguette, sourdough bread, pumpernickel, bagels... Yeah, basically everything.
How do you feel about short stories/films? I like them, and sometimes they are amazing. (I am generally drawn towards novels and full-length feature films a bit more, though.)
Would you be interested in a birth chart? Absolutely! I believe I was born around 9:20 am on 6/27/1978.
Favorite comfort re-reads: Anything and everything by Diana Wynne Jones, War for the Oaks by Emma Bull, Tam Lin by Pamela Dean, Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, Soul Music and Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett (also other Discworld novels), Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C Wrede, the Alanna books by Tamora Pierce, A Horse & His Boy and The Magician's Nephew by CS Lewis (from the Chronicles of Narnia), The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper, The Emerald City of Oz by L Frank Baum, the Emily books and Rilla of Ingleside and A Tangled Web by LM Montgomery, Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, several Julian F Thompson books, All-of-a-kind Family by Sydney Taylor, Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes by the Gilbreths, Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grille by Steven Brust, Doomsday Book and To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis, the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace, A Ring of Endless Light by Madeline L'Engle, Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom and Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott, Changeover and The Tricksters by Margaret Mahy, The Obnoxious Jerks by Stephen Manes, the Sorcery Hill trilogy by Suzy McKee Charnas, Remember Me to Harold Square by Paula Danzinger, Deathtrap and Dinosaur by Jane McFann, Drawing Blood by Poppy Z Brite, So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, Snow Crash and The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson, the Myth series and Phule's Company by Robert Asprin, Strong Poison and Gaudy Night and Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy Sayers... I'm sure I'm missing a ton of them, but this is a sampling, anyway.
Bpal storage? Is always welcome. I'd love an ammo box for imps/decants, especially, as previous wonderful witches have provided some lovely bottle storage. But more boxes for bottles are always welcome, too! (And boxes in general, definitely!)
What movie scared the bejeezus out of you as a child? Labyrinth, Ghostbusters (mostly just the Gatemaster/the Keymaster/Gozer stuff), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (the heart scene). I think this were all around the age of 8.
Name a couple of sites you frequent other than this one. Livejournal/Dreamwidth... Echo Bazaar... Those are the only ones I visit daily. I guess I check Ideeli fairly often, and I read Tom and Lorenzo at Project Rungay ~ weekly now that the season's going.
Do you like the Muppets? Which is your favorite? I do (I watched so much Muppet Babies as a kid!). My favorites are probably Rowlf and Animal, though I do like Kermit and Miss Piggy and Beaker and Fozzie and the Sam the Eagle, and many of the others as well.
If you could have any creature (real or imaginary) as a pet, what would it be? Possibly a jhereg from Steven Brust's Dragaera books, or Alanna's black cat (though I think that's probably cheating!). Maybe a dragon. As for real creatures, I don't know if a housecat can really be beat as a practical pet.
If you are in school now, what classes are you taking? Does anything you are currently studying really interest you? (if you are not in school, is there anything you are trying to learn?) I'm not in school right now, because I quit the PhD program I was in a little while back and am still kind of traumatized. I still like East Asian Studies and History (it was a Chinese History degree program) and libraries, I just don't want to deal with academia for the rest of my life. Things I'm trying to learn: see the "what hobby/craft I want to learn" question. Also possibly some graphic design or photography, and I'm thinking about librarian/archivist sorts of things.
Will you be going out of town during the round, or is there any other time during the round when it would not be ideal for you to receive a package from your Witch? I'll be out of town 9/28-10/6, but the SO and his housemates will be home, so packages can still safely arrive.
What animal would your daemon be? Alternately, your patronus. A big cat (panther or tiger or puma, probably) or possibly a raven, or quite likely a bear.
According to the test (http://www.okcupid.com/tests/the-golden-compass-daemon-test): Multi-Faceted Soul: In a way, you are a truly balanced person. You have a good sense of self, but you have periods of worry and self doubt. You don't like to be alone a lot, but you don't like being constantly surrounded, either. You can be shy in some situations and bold in others. You can tell people how you feel, but you don't wear your heart on your sleeve. You aren't "TOO" anything: You aren't too shy, you aren't too aggressive, you aren't too extroverted, you aren't too introverted. However at any one time you can be any combination of these things. You tend to adapt yourself to match the situations in which you find yourself. You may be quiet and sensitive with some people, or joking and loud with others. These are all facets of your personality. People tend to perceive you as they want to perceive you. They may even tend to idealize you a bit. Then, when you do something that doesn't fit their concept of who you are (like have an outburst of anger, or a fit of shyness, or make an insensitive joke)they can be shocked and surprised. Does anyone know the real you? Your daemon would represent your multi-faceted and ever-changing personality, as well as people's tendency to idealize you. He or she would get angry when you did not, be calm and poised when you felt ruffled and anxious, and always be the voice of emotion and reason in your ear. Suggested forms: Swan, Elephant, Koala, Panda, Chameleon, Wolf." -- I think a wolf might be awesome. I quite like pandas and elephants, too, though I don't know that they'd be my ideal daemon/patronus.
According to a different test (http://quizilla.teennick.com/quizzes/468082/what-is-your-daemon): "EAGLE or HAWK - your daemon may be some kind of bird of prey. Yours is a strong spirit, and a fierce sense of liberty. You cannot be confined. You may be shrewdly observant, and like to be aware of everything that goes on around you. You will fight fiercely for the things that are most important to you, and you are definitely a force to be reckoned with. Still, you are not vicious by nature and would prefer to be left in peace. You probably value your solitude very highly - not that you don't enjoy company, but sometimes you just need to be alone - otherwise you begin to feel caged in and confined. You might want to take a drive on your own, just to feel the road beneath you, or to sit alone on your balcony, watching the world go by." -- I could see having a hawk, definitely, or perhaps a falcon or an owl.
What's YOUR favorite word? Paradox! I love when things are contradictory and complex and paradoxical -- it's part of my truth.
Steampunk, yay or nay? If yay, what part appeals most? Yay! I especially like goth-steampunk hybrids in terms of colors and styles and moods. I like gears and keys as motifs; gears that work and add function are especially cool, but I do just like how they look as well, particularly if they are delicate and real. I am also by intrigued Victorian shapes in dresses and boots and such.
Would you like a bag of dried Honeycrisp apples? Ooooh, yes, please! Honeycrisp is one of my favorite apple varieties (and created by my home state, go Minnesota!). I love love love a good apple.
I like dried fruit in general, too. When I lived in a place that had Trader Joe's, I used to get this dried berry medley that had strawberries, blueberries, and cherries, YUM. I miss it so much. But I like other kinds of dried fruit as well! And fresh fruit, of course, and even canned fruit and frozen fruit... I am easy for fruit.
If you were to receive a knitted item (such as a scarf, hat, etc), what colors would you like? And do you have any sensitivies/allergies to any materials? I think I covered this preemptively in answers to previous questions. I don't have any specific allergies, but some wool is scratchy (while others are lovely), and I tend to prefer natural fibers, the softer the better, the more lightweight the better.
If I were to send you a gift certificate for something would you rather get a physical gift certificate in the mail? Or would you prefer an electronic one that you can use right away? Either's fine.
Favorite Yankee Candles? Or other brands' scents? (I make my own candles too, but sometimes have money to spend on others) I don't know much about Yankee Candles, but in general I like all the scents I like in BPAL, plus some of the more foody scents that sometimes go amiss on my skin. Spicy and vanilla-y is always good! Homemade candles would be most welcome, too!
Which brings me to a question: would you like a zuni animal fetish? And if so, what animal? Sure! Most likely a bear, but I would also be psyched for a mountain lion or wolf. A badger or mole or bobcat or snake or buffalo would also be neat... or eagle or coyote or turtle or frog or owl or bird... or deer or antelope or mountain sheep or elk or horse or beaver... (based on this site: http://www.pueblodirect.com/fetishmeanings.html) [looking at another site (http://www.sedonawolf.com/zuni.htm), I would add that I'd love a hawk or raven or fox, and would be interested in otter, moose, porcupine, opossum, crow. looking at a third site (http://www.indiansummer.com/fetishes.htm): spider and hummingbird both sound quite appealing, as do armadillo, cat, and whale. Color and texture and aesthetics are just as important to me as the animal.
And how does everyone feel about glow in the dark radishes? CUTE! I would totally wear those, assuming they were relatively light. I think they would go very well with my pro-tomato t-shirt.
What places to do you visit that you'd like a gift card to? Off the top of my head: Book People, Waterloo Records, Dreamhaven Books, B&N, Amazon, iTunes, Infusions of Tea, Chuao Chocolatier, World Market, Target, Bloomingdales/Macy's, Victoria's Secret, Lane Bryant, Bed Bath & Beyond, Sephora, Ulta, Lush, Starbucks, anywhere in the Austin area that sounds neat... Thinkgeek, Jinx.com, Blowfish (nsfw), Good Vibrations (nsfw), maybe Cafepress, maybe drugstore.com, etsy stores... It might also be neat to try something like Villainess or other e-tailers along those lines. Also, Sockdreams, because while I don't usually wear socks, I am intrigued by some of theirs.
Cake or frosting? CAKE! Unless we're talking super spectacular (key component: not too sugary) frosting (cream cheese frosting, mmmmmmmmmmm), in which case, both!
Cake Truffles, interested? and if YES! Cake/icing/chocolate preferences: Yes! Cream cheese icing is my favorite, but I also like fudge and strawberry, anything that's not too super sweet, though I do also like glazes. Cake, I like pretty much alllllllllll cake.
Are you interested in mini bottles(under 100ml for hand luggage) of bath and body products? YES! I travel quite a bit, so these would be super useful. Especially if they definitely don't leak (based on sad prior experience).
Vampire shows, literature, etc? Yay or nay? A qualified yay. I definitely like my vampire stories on the dark side. Favorite vampire stories: Let the Right One In (the movie), Drawing Blood and Lost Souls by Poppy Z Brite, the Vampire: the Requiem game a friend of mine ran. Vampires do the opposite of sparkle. Seriously. Let's just say my favorite True Blood character is Eric because he is both super hot and deliciously amoral. I have not been impressed with the latest wave of vampire fiction -- Twilight is a huge no, Southern Vampire series by Harris is a huge no, Vampire Academy is a meh, Anita Blake (despite being kinda addictive) is a meh (except for Obsidian Butterfly because I loved Edward so); the Kim Harrison ones were pretty good but seemed to be kinda going downhill... I was okay with Interview with a Vampire but those went downhill too... But I am willing to try more! I like the idea of vampires, I like many things about them...
Would you prefer clothing or costume pieces? If so, what would items would you like? I have a very slight preference for clothing, but I love costume pieces, too, so both are very very welcome. I would LOVE a fascinator, and hair things are always good, and generally things like jewelry and fancy gloves.
If you play console video games, what game systems do you have and what games would you love to have? I do, though not super regularly. The Boys have all the current consoles and also a PS2. I suspect that any game I'd want, they'd already have bought, though; sorry. Ooh, unless you find a cheap copy of three kingdoms 8? And if we move into PC games, well, I play the Sims (3) and would love Sim related stuff or good games along those lines, or puzzle games, or old school games (I've been having a strange yearning to play Rampage, for example).
How do you all feel about flowers and plants? Flower and plant seeds? Drawings of flowers or plants? Pressed flowers? I am death to flowers and plants, sad as it makes me. I'm in a better place to take care of one now, though, so maybe I'd be up for giving it a shot. Maybe herbs for the kitchen? I would love drawings of flowers of plants, especially those kind of classical botanical drawings. Pressed flowers, or fresh flowers in a vase or something along those lines, would be lovely, too.
How do you feel about marzipan? I like it, though I can be picky about it. Pure marzipan can be a little overwhelming or too sweet, and fake almond flavoring is a sadness. But sometimes I really like it (especially if it's more almondy and less sweet)! I love almonds and natural almond flavored things in general.
If you could have 3 BPAL bottles fall (gently) out of the sky right this second that you've been looking for or pining for - which 3 would they be? Pumpkin Queen, Geek.Goth, Tomoe Gozen.
Are there any international treats that you love and have a hard time finding? Yummy Asian drinks and hard candies and black sesame candy! The more unusual Dolfin chocolate bars, Ritter butter biscuit chocolate bars. I'm sure there are more but that's what's occurring to me right now. [ETA: Also Ritter Cornflake bars, Ritter Whole Hazelnut bars, and Vosges Bars]
Are there any soundtracks that you'd like? Yes! 2046, In the Mood for Love, Fallen Angels (the Wong Kar-Wai film), Newcastle, Mysterious Skin, Brick, Whip It, Zombieland, Shortbus, Were the World Mine, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Across the Universe, Working (the musical), Guys and Dolls, Wicked, 1776, the current revival of Promises, Promises. I'm sure there are more, too. I'm fond of soundtracks!
Is there anything from the 'Ween BPTP update that you would like but haven't ordered for yourself? Ginger Skulls and Treatsy Bath Oil, but most likely I'll order those. Bogle looks interesting, as does An T-Samhuinn soap, and I'd love a little Slaugh to send to a friend of mine, and a bit of Halloween: New Orleans to try and to send to a different friend. Nut Crack Night and Samhain would both be lovely, as would Jack soap and Rimmon soap and Sagardoa soap, and Pumpkin Pie bath oil. I'd like to try Candy Corn Coated Candy Apple, but I don't know that it would work for me, so just a little bit.
If you are a crafter, would you like to receive supplies from your witch (beads, fabric, yarn/roving etc)? Sure!
Find your iPod (or other MP3 device), put it on shuffle/random. What are the first five songs to come up? First ten, just 'cause it's fun: "Here Comes a Regular" by The Replacements, "Raise the Dead" by Phantom Planet, "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" by Chris Thomas King from the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, "Singing In My Sleep" by The Chills, "End of the Day" by Beck, "Everybody Hurts" by REM, "Disarm" by the Smashing Pumpkins, "The Small Print" by Muse, "Sometime Around Midnight" by The Airborne Toxic Event, "So Cruel" by U2.
Baked goods: Love 'em! Though I, too, forgot to mention that I don't eat artificial sweetners.
Gifts for others in the house: No need to include anything specific for them. They'll probably help consume any yummy things sent, and any good books might well get passed on to the SO, whose taste in books is very similar to mine, but we have no pets and my SO & housemates are not particularly covetous.
Small testers vs one or two big things? No preference! Both are terrific.
Groupons/deals/gift certificates: Sure! Austin metro area; I also do a lot of my shopping online.
Social networks: LJ and Twitter are both jencallisto, though I haven't posted in awhile (though you'll get a pretty good idea of me from my older posts, probably) and I don't really use Twitter for anything but playing Echo Bazaar. I do have a Facebook, but I don't really use it much, either.
Clothing sizes: XL, in general (women's sizes). If a top is stretchy enough, or cut in a particular way, sometimes size L. (For example, in BPTP and Jinx.com shirts, I'm almost always an XL. For skirts I'm in the size 16-18 range at the moment. I don't usually wear unisex clothes b/c I'm far too curvy, and some styles of women's clothes also don't really work (hence one of the reasons I basically never wear pants except for pajama pants). Stretchy is good, shape is good. Anything that's basically just a rectangle won't work; anything that assumes I'm a B-cup or don't have hips also won't work, anything top that's too long is iffy (I'm rather short and have a relatively short torso -- the longer length tees tend to look strange on me). (For example, I love some of the shirt designs on Threadless, but have sadly discovered I can't wear their women's tees at all because they're too square and not stretchy enough for my body shape.) Also, an addendum to my Questionnaire -- I know I said I usually wear skirts, and that's true, but I would adore pajama bottoms for lounging around the house, especially ones made of thinner material. XL in those, I believe, or possibly XXL. I like nightgowns and long nightshirts and such, too. Actually, just in general, material as light as possible -- I overheat really easily.
Mix cds: YES! I love love love getting new music to try listening to. [it occurs to me I should've mentioned this in the "least favorite music" part of the Questionnaire -- I'm pretty averse to pop country music (it often falls into the "bubblegum pop" category in my head even though I guess it's technically country), though I like some bluegrass and old school, classic country a lot. In the "favorite music" part, I forgot to note that I love oldies! And the album I'm currently listening to over and over is American Idiot: Original Broadway Cast Recording because I saw the musical (twice!) in NYC last month and absolutely adored it.]
Halloween plans? Nothing is planned yet, so who knows.
How does everyone feel about handmade soft things? Whether they are plushies, knit scarves, gloves, etc? I'd adore plushies! Scarves and gloves... well. I live in a part of Texas, where winter is like a mythical creature. I'd much prefer to be cold than to be warm, but I don't get to be cold very often here. So thick scarves and gloves would get almost no use (sometimes I go to Minnesota for the winter holidays, but even then the really thick ones are not my preferred style). Thin ones, especially if made out of super-soft, non-scratchy material, I might get more use out of, and would probably just enjoy more. I also like knee-high (or higher) socks to wear with my skirts sometimes, though, if those count as soft things, and also shawls. I know those are a bit of a commitment to hand-knit, though.
Girlieness: The definition of girly is kind of confusing sometimes. I guess I'm more girly than some, with the skirt-wearing and long hair and affection for baths and all, but I don't really think of myself as girly. I like dark colors! I am too lazy to primp! So I don't know. Addedum: I don't wear heels unless they are super well-balanced and sturdy; overall I much prefer flats. I don't really like the color pink in most cases. I like some shiny, sparkly thing, but honestly I tend to prefer things to be pretty and elegant or in-your-face -- for example, I prefer most of my punk/goth stuff without the sparkles. Also, I am a huge book and gamer geek, though honestly I know plenty of book and gamer geeks who are pretty girly, much more than I am, so. Yeah. All a bit confusing because people have such different ideas of what it means. For example, when I say I don't primp, I mean sometimes I leave the house without having brushed my hair and sometimes I forget to use even basic lip balm to make my lips less cracked, much less anything like lip gloss or other actual cosmetics. Even for special occasions I don't usually do much more than brush my hair and put on lip gloss, and that's only if I remember, which I usually don't. And I never shave my legs or pluck my eyebrows or anything along those lines.
Are you into Austen's books? Yup, I love Pride & Prejudice, and I like her other books, too.
Do you read Tarot cards? If not, would you be interested? I own a Haindl deck and really like it, but I don't really do much actual reading. I wouldn't mind getting more into it and there are some really pretty decks I'd be interested in trying. I am not, I will note, a believer per se -- I am essentially agnostic on the subject -- but I find them fascinating.
So for those of you who are into Harry Potter at all, which house do you think you'd be sorted into? I am so Ravenclaw it's not even funny.
What, if anything, is your guilty TV watching pleasure? I'm not much into feeling guilty about the things I enjoy. The few reality shows I watch, perhaps (Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars). I watch a ton of scripted TV, too. I guess of those, True Blood would be the closest a guilty pleasure? But mostly, I am proud to claim the shows I watch!
If you cosplay or need a costume for your bellydance/burlesque hobby (or any other hobby which needs dressup/different from your normal wear), is there anything you need/want for it? The only thing I'm currently doing along these lines in goth clubbing (and that not as often as I'd like, either); anything along those lines would be adored. Skirts that twirl (and yet aren't pleated at the waist) are always desired (especially if they are black, but some other colors might be good, too). I've been thinking about getting back into bellydancing, so accessories for that might be neat. If I can find a LARP group around here, then I'll probably have more costuming needs then... Oh, and Renfaire sorts of things are also always welcome.
E-books: I generally prefer actual, physical books, but I would be all right with e-books if my Witch sees something he or she would particularly want me to have in that format. It's possible I'll someday get a Kindle or whatnot.
DVDs: Do you prefer widescreen or formatted? Widescreen.
Music: Any preference towards MP3 or CD? I like having the physical cds, but I like mp3s, too.
Do you like scented tarts? Sure? I might need a burner, though.
Lip balms? Definitely!
Do you have any body mods? If so, do you need any new jewelry, o-rings, plugs, etc (and if so, what size, length, etc)? Do you like pro-body mod stickers? Just regular old pierced ears, here. I always like dangly earrings. I have no idea what pro-body-mod stickers would be like but if they're pretty I might like them -- I think body mods can look really cool on the right person, especially tattoos but also some piercings.
Booze. Do you drink it, would you like some? I like some booze (dessert wine is my favorite, but I also like wine just in general and floofy girly drinks -- Sex on the Beach, White Russians, B-52s, blackberry mojitos, that sort of thing; also hard cider), but I don't think it can be shipped into Texas without a permit or something like that. Alas. However! I will note that booze-flavored stuff would be quite welcome! (I make delicious Baileys balls (a variation on rum balls), for example).
What is your favorite artist or art style? I like a ton of art styles. Off the top of my head: Mucha, Waterhouse, Arthur Rackham, surrealists, traditional Chinese art and calligraphy and jadework and dark wood furniture, Huang Yong Ping (and some other contemporary Chinese artists), black and white photography... I like a much wider range than that, though. Stephanie Pui-Mun Law's work is quite beautiful, and I like at least some things by both Charles Vess and Dave McKean.
Mancandy: Current Top 13s (changes pretty much whenever you ask me, because I have a hard time deciding on anything; also in no particular order): Stark Sands, Alexander Skarsgard, Jon Huertas, Naveen Andrews, Kevin Zegers, Clive Owen, Christian Kane, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Mark Wahlberg, Ryan Reynolds, John Cho, Brian Viglione. Womancandy: Drew Barrymore, Clea DuVall, Angelina Jolie, Angela Bassett, Julianne Moore, Monica Belluci, Lucy Liu, Noa Tishby, Christina Hendricks, Amanda Seyfried, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet, Beyonce.
Nail polish: I'm usually too lazy, but I do like the idea of it. A really striking, intense dark red would be especially appreciated, but also blues, greens, purples, metallics, and dark iridescents. I'm not that into glitters, though, but a particularly nice one in black or dark colors might work.
Question!: What is your favourite snack food, something you could grab any time? Nuts! Especially almonds and peanuts (honey-roasted, spicy, just plain, etc), but I like mixed nuts, too. Fruit! So many different kinds of fruit. Also sesame sticks, garlic rye chips, sharp cheddar cheese (or herbed cream cheese, or pepperjack) and crackers or triscuits, baked sour cream and cheddar potato chips, veggie chips. And, well, chocolate. I find chocolate with nuts in is especially satisfying! I like greek yogurt with honey, also, and granola. Oh, and toast with butter or peanut butter or honey or preserves! And I have an unfortunate weakness for cheetos. And reeses pieces and peanut butter cups. And a lot of other stuff, too!
For those who decorate for Halloween, do you prefer cute decorations or creepy ones? I don't do much decorating, but I think I'm mostly more into creepy than cute, but cute is sometimes good, too. Creepy and cute is awesome. I think spooky is even better than creepy, but I prefer elegant to all of those.
Also, as part of the cute-or-creepy question, would you want hand made, molded, glazed (by yours truly!) ceramic decorations (napkin rings, potporri/tart warmers, etc) to add to your stock? Sure!
And, separately, how do you feel about mortars and pestles? I would love a mortar and pestle set.
What hobby/craft would you like to learn how to do? Soap making, bath supply making, jewelry making. If we're talking about skills, too, then I desperately want to start taking dance lessons again, modern/contemporary, ballroom, bellydance, flamenco, tap, maybe even hip hop... Also, yoga and pilates. I've been planning to buy a car soon, so maybe auto mechanics, and i've been wanted to take a motorcycle safety course for years now, though who knows when that'll ever happen. Oh, and I always want to become a better cook. And brush up on/learn new languages! Learning Italian's currently highest on my list, but also I want to brush up on my French and learn Ancient Greek. Possibly also Latin and Hebrew. I'm... not sure I really want to brush up on my Chinese, but I probably should.
Is there anything you have a phobia of, or that would make you go "squick" if you saw it in a package? Hrm. I can't think of anything that's not something that probably most people would find squicky (and I like some things other people don't, like spiders, though are other kinds of bugs and creepy crawlies I don't particularly like). Oh, yes, I'm not very fond of clowns, though I don't know that I'd call it a phobia, per se.
Personally, I would love getting something similar to one of my favorites, even if it is not the same - what say all of you? How picky are you? Generally I'm in favor of things that are similar but not necessarily exactly the same.
Do you wear make up? Hardly ever, but I do wear lip gloss occasionally, and I experiment with lipstick, lip liner, lip stains, etc every once in a while. I wear blush very occasionally, too, and bronzer might be good for shading, and powder for controlling shine (my skin is East Asian, medium-tan-ish, warm undertone, combination). Eyeshadow and eyeliner, I like, but almost never wear (and yet I covet it!); mascara I basically don't wear, as it interferes with my glasses.
Disney movies, Yay or Nay, and favourites if you do like them? I like them, in general. Beauty and the Beast is probably my favorite, though I do like Lady and the Tramp and the Robin Hood with the foxes a lot, too. And I tend to really like Pixar movies -- Up and Ratatouille are my favorites of those. (And I love Miyazaki (and other Studio Ghibli) movies! I like quite a lot of anime and manga in general.)
And, as a secondary question, I adore icons for LJ/dreamwidth/forums/etc use, but suck at making them myself. Anyone else in the same boat, who would like custom icons as a gift? Yes, indeed!
DVD, BluRay, VHS: I don't have a VHS player; DVD or BluRay are both fine.
What is something you use to comfort yourself when feeling yucky, depressed, or in pain? Music (listening to it, or singing), tea, chocolate (sometimes hot chocolate), bath w/ salts/bubbles/bath bombs/bath oils/scents/etc, re-reading my favorite books or stories, going out to one of my favorite restaurants for a comfort meal, watching (or re-watching) a movie I know I'll like, sometimes going somewhere pretty and sitting with a book... A massage if I can get one. Oh, and I also have a gel eye mask that feels pretty good and can help with headaches; ice packs or cool cloths help sometimes, too, or sitting near a fan, because I overheat so easily. And ginger ale or mint tea sometimes helps with stomachaches, while very localized heat sometimes helps with cramps. Plus, BPAL's Baku scent can relax my whole body if I'm feeling too tense or wound up.
Socks? I wear socks very rarely. When I do, I prefer knee-high socks (in dark, gothy colors), though I'd be interested in trying thigh-high ones, also (stretchy ones in both cases, because I have fairly wide calves and thighs, and thinner is generally better than thicker). I do wear regular black socks with my Docs, as well, but they're boring and black for a reason, and are almost completely obscured by the boots. I guess I might wear fun socks with my Docs as long as the colors and themes are dark & gothy? Mostly I wear sandals, though, the curse of living in an overly warm climate. ETA: Oh! I do have one sock-related desire: I once had a pair of super super soft lightweight crochet lace tights (in black of course) that I adored until they developed a hole in the toe; I would love something like that, either as tights or perhaps as knee highs or thigh highs.
Favorite Halloween/Scary movies? I'm not really into scary movies or horror movies or whatnot (I had a terribly active imagination when younger and so tons of things scared me; I'm better able to deal with such things now but still don't tend to specifically seek it out), though I do like some supernatural sorts of things. Movies along those lines that I really like: Nightmare Before Christmas (if it counts?) and Zombieland on the more lighthearted side, 28 Days Later and Let the Right One In on the more serious side. I think Let the Right One In is probably the best, and darkest, vampire story I've ever seen or read, and it's all in the atmosphere and psychological/mental/logical aspects of the situation. Brilliant.
Scary books? I'm not super into horror but I do like some things that are fairly dark. Favorite book in the ~ horror genre: Drawing Blood by Poppy Z Brite.
What would the name of your custom blend be? The description? The Ultimate Tea Party: Mismatched tea served in a mismatched tea set, in a mismatched garden. Mismatched, yes, but perfect. (Notes: Chrysanthemum, rock sugar, lychee, osmanthus, peach, peach blossom, Honeycrisp apple, Pink Lady apple, Asian pear, blood orange, lime, verbena, sweet rose, French lavender, lilac, honeysuckle, Madagascar vanilla, Morrocan mint and sage tea with honey, earl grey tea, and amber. The label art would be a tea party where the tea set would have a mix of all different styles of tea cup.)
COMIC BOOKS. Do you read them? Are there any series you like, or some you would like to try? I do read them, though I'm bad about keeping up properly. I've read all of Sandman and all of Strangers in Paradise, those are probably my two favorites. I like Runaways (the Marvel comic), but I'm behind, and I'm interested in some DC characters/groups/storylines (Batman and the rest of the Batfamily (I have a soft spot for Robins and former Robins, and The Long Halloween is amazing), Birds of Prey, Secret Six, Teen Titans and Young Justice, etc, but it's hard to know how to really get into it just because canon's so huge. I loved Kingdom Come. I've read a little of Fables and a little of Y the Last Man and enjoyed them both and will probably continue at some point, just haven't gotten around to it yet. I don't think I need copies of those two, though, I'm pretty sure I can borrow from friends. Other comics I've really liked: Blue Monday, Hopeless Savages, JtHM, Charm School, Global Frequency, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Umbrella Academy, Castle Waiting; I liked Promethea for a while but lost track of it, I liked the part of Preacher I read but got bogged down about 2/3 of the way through while following it, and though I own the rest I still haven't read it. I enjoyed the early issues of Little Gloomy, Gloomcookie, and Courtney Crumrin, though apparently not enough to keep up with them. I liked Persepolis a whole lot, though it's not really a series, exactly. I'm always up for trying new comics! I've been wanting to try Transmetropolitan and Powers and Irredeemable, if that helps?
I also like manga, though I'm bad at keeping up with that, too -- I loved Here Is Greenwood and Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, Saiyuki and Inuyasha I own a bunch of and really adore but aren't all the way through yet, I read the first volume of Fruits Basket and enjoyed it (and wouldn't mind more of that), and I've been meaning to get into Black Butler -- I saw some of the anime and now want to see more of that and also read the manga. I also wouldn't mind trying out Full Metal Alchemist, perhaps, or other manga you think I might like based on those data points.
Warm drinks! It's probably obvious from my previous answers that I love them, right? Coffee (spiked or not!), hot chocolate, hot apple cider, tea and rooibos and tisanes. If you look at the answers to previous rounds of SW questions in my blog, I go into lots of detail about the kinds of tea I like.
Do you have a special symbol or totem that is meaningful to you? Bears. My last name means bear in Chinese, so I feel especially close to them, and I appreciate the somewhat complex/contradictory symbolism attached to them -- intuition, strength, protection. I also had a Lilith pendant for awhile that really spoke to me, and I'm fairly fond of the tree of life.
Oops! Just realized that I meant to go back and fill in the answer to this question in the Questionnaire, but forgot, so here it is:
Have you ever thought, "oh, I'm going to get myself one of those one of these days" but then never do? List 1 under $10 and 1 over $10.
Under $10: hot water bottle (or heating pad, though those are a bit more expensive), bathtub pillow. Over $10: a set of decanting supplies, a bike, a black lace parasol. Oh, and a massage. I need a massage so badly. [i have also been wanting: silicone baking sheets and muffin cups, a decent manual hand orange juicer, a kit for making popsicles, and a teapot.] [Oh, and incidentally, books about Austin, travel books or history books or whatnot, would be most welcome because I just moved here late last year and am still getting to know the area.]
Which 5 celebrities are on your "LIST"?
Christian Kane -- down-to-earth, tough but sweet, gorgeous voice, gorgeous hair, can kick serious ass
Jon Huertas -- dead hot, nice build, endearing sense of humor
Naveen Andrews -- beautiful, incredibly hot, passionate
Bob Bryar -- super talented and sturdy and sweet and quiet and stubborn
Drew Barrymore -- adorable and fun and sweet and real, and with a sensual streak that absolutely works for me
Next five:
Kevin Zegers -- pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty, exudes sensuality, takes risks
Clive Owen -- has a wryness about him that is extremely appealing, plus the magnificent combination of direct and rough and reserved and focused and all-around amazing
Joaquin Phoenix -- maybe crazy but also crazy intense and super, super, super hot
Clea DuVall -- is just hot, not to mention truly engaging and full of personality
Angelina Jolie -- confident, interesting, has this aura of pure, luscious sex about her
I could go on and on (I didn't even get to most of the musicians!), but I'll content myself with this.
~posted 2/16/10~
Fellow witches, if you were to give up something for 40 days, what would it be and why? Hmm. Pork, maybe, because pigs are really smart, and while it would be pretty difficult for me, it's definitely possible. I already don't usually eat octopus for that reason, but then, I don't find them that tasty. Pork is another story. I'd also consider giving up chocolate or cheese or eating out or something along those lines. Honestly, though, I'm not much into restrictions of that nature.
Are you following the Olympics? What's your favorite sport to watch? Would you be interested in merch? I am only vaguely following the Olympics; I tend to not even realize that they're coming and then for one reason or another I end up watching just a little and get dragged in completely. I have to admit that for the Winter Olympics I do love the figure skating -- I am so thrilled for the Chinese pairs right now! But I actually enjoy almost everything that involves speed and grace... which is pretty much the entire Winter Olympics. Skating (I think hockey is awesome outside of the Olympics, too!) and skiing and snowboarding are all just darn fun to watch! For the summer olympics, gymnastics is totally where it's at, but I like to watch the swimming and diving events as well, and I wish rhythmic gymnastics got more airtime. I also now have a soft spot for handball after getting to see an actual match in Beijing, and archery and pistol are surprisingly mesmerizing, too (I think I might just enjoy watching women shoot things). Merch-wise, well, sure, I guess. I like merch!
~posted 2/13/10~
These are a few of my favourite things: ...? BOOKS! Food and drink! History and mythology (especially related to China or Ancient Greece, but I like pretty much all of it)! Abstract mathematics! (I would especially love some linear algebra or topology.) Earth science -- especially geophysics, petrology, hydrology, and environmental science. Winter! I also like autumn a lot, and have some fondness for spring. Lakes and rivers and waterfalls and glaciers and mountains. Water in general, really. Fjords. Storms, especially thunderstorms and tornados. Sexuality and polyamory and gender and ethnic studies. Jewelry, the color black, dancing, singing, sex, friends, love. Philosophy, metaphysics, the human condition. MUSIC! Travel! Games of all types! Geeks. (ETA: Oh, and I love wartime propaganda posters -- US ones, but also ones from different countries (Russian and Chinese cold war posters are some of my favorites). And movie and musical and theatre posters (I love books the most, but really I love all kinds of storytelling -- movies, television, plays, poetry, etc). And art in general.)
I love to decoupage/collage boxes and notebooks. If you were my witchee, would you like one? What colors/themes would you want it to have? Find cute pictures--inspire me (and other crafty witches)! Sure! Any of the colors I like would work! I am not picky. Themes that sound fun off the top of my head: steampunk, space or space exploration or constellations, mythology, books or libraries, dance, music, mathematics (the abstract kind, not so much the numerical kind, retro, classic science... but I'm sure there are others I'd like. Picture-wise... hmm. I don't know. How abut this astronomical clock: http://www.hickerphoto.com/astronomical-cl...87-pictures.htm or the sheet music for Grieg's "Papillon": http://everynote.com/piano.show/1136.note or the surface of Mars: http://crism.jhuapl.edu/science/images/marsGeo/VL1.jpg or Sandman as illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano: http://readcomics.org/wp-content/uploads/2...m_hunters_1.jpg and http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/images/San..._1185846084.jpg -- just a few random thoughts.
Alan Rickman? I adore him and find him (and oh, his voice) endlessly sexy. I loved him even when he (er, his character) had the bad taste to cheat on Emma Thompson in Love Actually! For a long time he was my top choice to play Crowley from Good Omens if a film version ever happened; he's probably too far out of the age range these days but I have a hard time bringing myself to care -- it's hard for me to imagine anyone else, at this point. Basically, he's amazing!
Which 5 celebrities are on your "LIST"?
Christian Kane -- down-to-earth, tough but sweet, gorgeous voice, gorgeous hair, can kick serious ass
Jon Huertas -- dead hot, nice build, endearing sense of humor
Naveen Andrews -- beautiful, incredibly hot, passionate
Bob Bryar -- super talented and sturdy and sweet and quiet and stubborn
Drew Barrymore -- adorable and fun and sweet and real, and with a sensual streak that absolutely works for me
Next five:
Kevin Zegers -- pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty, exudes sensuality, takes risks
Clive Owen -- has a wryness about him that is extremely appealing, plus the magnificent combination of direct and rough and reserved and focused and all-around amazing
Joaquin Phoenix -- maybe crazy but also crazy intense and super, super, super hot
Clea DuVall -- is just hot, not to mention truly engaging and full of personality
Angelina Jolie -- confident, interesting, has this aura of pure, luscious sex about her
I could go on and on (I didn't even get to most of the musicians!), but I'll content myself with this.
~posted 2/12/10~
If you could have one "unselfish" wish (but personal) what would it be? For my super-sweet, super hard-working SO to get the job he wants -- he had the second interview for it yesterday! But honestly, there's a tiny bit of selfishness in that wish, so... I would like one of my friends to find long-term happiness with someone, either the guy she's with now or someone else. Or I'd like a different friend of mine to make it through her graduate program with flying colors, without driving herself tooooooooo crazy (and I am not using that term flippantly). I would also love it if yet a different friend of mine could find a job that she likes that also doesn't hurt her wrists, and one of my brothers needs a job while the other needs some friends in the city he just moved to... I'm having a hard time choosing!
Are there any books you particularly want to read that you don't mind being 2nd hand (or 3rd or 4th ) I happy with almost any books being second hand, as long as they're in decent condition (I don't like writing in my books unless I put it there, it's one of the few things I'm picky about). I guess there are a few collectible things I'd probably want in near-perfect condition, but those are both few and far between and likely above the price cap anyway.
If you had to choose SHOES or PURSES? Er. If I could only ever have one, I'd go barefoot (being able to feel the ground is really good for my weak ankles) and have a nice, mid-size, sturdy black purse (more like a courier bag than your average fashion purse) with lots of inner pockets. I don't really wear pants, you see, and skirt pockets only hold so much, even when they exist, so a purse or bag is essential. However, if we're talking about buying most often and collecting, then definitely shoes. I prefer to have only one purse at a time, though it must be a perfect purse that goes with everything and carries what I want, how I want it (perfect purse -- probably ballistic nylon or super sturdy but soft leather, water resistant, lots of useful compartments, will carry a hardcover book in a pinch and a trade paperback without much complaint but prefers mass market paperbacks, solid black with no accenting colors, a big inner pocket and at least one easy access outer pocket, and adjustable shoulder strap because while I usually carry it just on my left shoulder, in certain situations I prefer to I sling it across my body, usually for safety or for balance).
But shoes... Even when I find a perfect pair of shoes, they wear out and get discontinued, and then I'm on the search again. Practicality and comfort are an absolute must for me, and I've been living in a warm climate (and tend to overheat easily and almost never get too cold), so I'm wearing more sandals and open shoes than other kinds of shoes (and I am super picky about my sneakers). I do have a beloved pair of beat-up steel-toed combat boots that I wear to shows, though, and could probably use something similar. In my wildest dreams, I'd love the Fluevog 40th Anniversary Derby Swirl boots -- the blackened gold is so gorgeous (http://www.fluevog.com/code/?pp=1&view=detail&p=1&colourID=2647). But in general, I like my shoes to be either really chunky (think Doc Martens, though I no longer buy them since they discontinued my favorite boot; I also love Earth shoes with their awesome negative heel -- terrific for my ankles as well) or super flexible and thin-soled.
Butler Bags? Not even a little bit my style, but I do like the jewelry box: http://www.butlerbag.com/ProductDetails.as...=98&SCID=42 -- but then I'm always on the lookout for good jewelry storage.
If you could have 5 mL of ANY ONE BPAL scent, what would it be? If this is in addition to what I already have... probably Champagne and Roses or Pumpkin Queen, or for a GC, maybe The Miller's Daughter. But if this were the only BPAL I could have ever, probably Baku. But Visiting the Temple of Auspicious Fortune Alone on the Winter Solstice, Agape, Gennivre, and Aglaea would all be close behind.
Loose tea or bagged tea? Or both? Both! (And that Teeli Infuser looks awesome!)
Do you like gardening,growing vegetables, house plants? Need any small tools, seeds, labels? No, I am an accidental killer of house plants. I just don't pay enough attention, and I might be moving around quite a bit in the next year or three, and house plants aren't that easy to move, and gardens are even more difficult. I guess I'm just more of a trees/woods/wetlands/arboretums/national and state parks sort of girl.
Are there any soundtracks you'd be interested in getting a copy of? Glee! Whip It! Mysterious Skin, Were the World Mine, Zombieland, Newcastle, In the Mood for Love, 2046, Fallen Angels, High Fidelity, and Crazy Heart. Working (the 2000 CR and/or the orig 1978 BCR), Guys and Dolls (movie songs especially, but I'd take whatever), Hedwig and the Angry Inch, West Side Story, and Fiddler on the Roof. I'm sure there are more, too, but that's what I can think of offhand.
Non-soundtrack CD-wise, if I could pick one thing, it would be the Joy Division Heart and Soul boxset or RT: The Life and Music of Richard Thompson boxset. (Note that already have a ton of Richard Thompson, but for Joy Division I only have the best of album and would welcome any other albums.) Within the price cap... probably Tool, Undertow because I had it on cassette in high school but never got around to buying a cd.
~posted 2/7/10~
OPI Alice in Wonderland? Love the concept, but I wouldn't ever wear those two reds, I'd prefer a black that's less multicolor, and while I do really like the blue, I'm a little worried about the glitter effects this reviewer: http://www.alllacqueredup.com/2009/12/opi-...hes-review.html mentions -- I like my nail polish to be super-smooth. (I haven't tried Seche Vite Topcoat, though, maybe that would help, though the idea of doing four layers on my nails does not thrill me, or five if I use a basecoat, which I probably should.) Oh wow. The China Glaze Wizard of Oz ones are really pretty, though. Glittery, but almost subtle. The blue, purple, silver, and gold all appeal to me, and even the pink and red have a strange hold (though I still kind of want the red to be darker).
How do you feel about handmade stuffed animals? I love them! I have a little green knit Cthulhu who could use some friends.
Are there any accessories you'd really like? (Keychains, little purses, etc.) Things to hold other things in -- boxes, pouches, purses, jars, tins, etc.
What are your favorite animals? Cats (both big cats and housecats -- tigers and panthers and lynxes and the black and grey striped domestic shorthair are my favorites), bears (with a special soft spot for polar bears and black bears), octopi (they're so <i>smart</i>), spiders and bats (anything that eats mosquitos gets my vote, plus I feel like they're underappreciated), beavers (nature's engineers!) , and hedgehogs (prickly and adorable).
Is there anything you've had to give up that you really miss or want back? Maybe something a witch could help out with? Well, I didn't exactly mean to give it up, but my signed, gorgeous, first printing hardcover of The Wake (the concluding trade compilation of the <i>Sandman</i> series by Neil Gaiman) somehow disappeared between when I moved out of my college dorm and into a house with four friends, and when I moved out of that house three years later. I have a sneaking suspicion one of my old housemates might have accidentally packed it up with his stuff (I lent him and his gf the series, with the caveat that the hardcovers didn't leave the house), but he didn't think he had it when I mentioned it in passing, and I've never actually pressed him about it -- for all that I loved that copy of the book (I'm not a fan of the graphic design of the current set of trade paperbacks; plus it's hard to beat a silver line drawing of Dream personalized to you and signed by Neil Gaiman on the endpapers of your book... though honestly, I'd love to have a copy of that edition (such a beautiful dark green) even without the drawing and signature), I'd rather keep the peace and his friendship.
In the slightly more likely realm, when I moved away from Boston I gave one of my old housemates (she helped me finish packing, so she definitely deserved the bounty) a black skirt that I had gotten a little too skinny for. Of course, grad school was not exactly good for my health and that size 16 skirt would probably fit me perfectly again. It was paneled with an adorable fitted-then-flared shape and crisp cotton feel, black eyelet (the larger kind of eyelets rather than the really tiny kind; it had kind of swirling pattern, iirc) over a solid black lining; I think it was DKNY but I might be misremembering that -- I gave it away in 2004 so the details are a little hazy. I loved that skirt, and I like a lot of skirts like it, too.
Tiny things? I like some tiny things, sure. The website is cute! I think I'm more likely to enjoy the papers and labels and flat decorative objects and cards (some of the cards are incredibly cool, especially the game cards and playing cards, though I wish there were more actual decks) and maybe some of the jewelry than random tiny things, but perhaps the right tiny thing would change my mind!
If you were a student at Hogwarts, what house would you be in? Ravenclaw, all the way. I have the occasional Slytherin, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff traits, but I am so much a Ravenclaw it's not even funny.
Space & Star Trek? I think space is really cool, at least in the abstract and aesthetic senses. I'm most interested in planetary geology out of all the space-related disciplines, probably because of my latent love of geophysics from my undergraduate years. I like Star Trek a lot -- I grew up with TNG and so have a huge soft spot, but I do enjoy the original series as well and I loved the reboot movie. I never watched much Deep Space 9, alas, but wouldn't be averse to trying it out. My top six shows in space: Babylon 5, Firefly, the recent Battlestar Galactica miniseries (I haven't watched the rest of the show yet), Stargate: Atlantis, Star Wars, and Star Trek.
Severed fingers? Well, if they're tasty or otherwise awesome...
What's your Patronus? Non-Potter fans, what's your Spirit Animal?
Almost certainly a bear. My last name means "bear" in Chinese, and though I am probably more like a cat in a lot of ways (my animagus form could well be a cat of some kind), I've always felt close to bears somehow. They look cuddly but can be seriously dangerous, they're by nature independent but not necessarily unfriendly (and can be incredibly nurturing; something I used to rebel against but have become more okay with over time), and they place high importance on eating (and generally like variety!) and are creative in doing so. Sun bears are even nocturnal, and polar bears like cold weather. Polar bears and black bears like water and swimming, too! Basically, bears are awesome.
If you like tea, what are your favorite kinds? Fruity, sweet, chai, plain, black, green, red, white? I like pretty much all tea. A sampling of what I like: pretty much all chai unless they're overwhelmingly licorice, earl grey, lady grey, chrysanthemum tea with rock sugar, chocolate mint rooibus, Infusions of Tea Lillian's Treasure, rose tea, lavender tea, Moroccan mint tea, fresh green tea, genmai cha, pu-erh, white tea (white tea is especially good for fruit flavors, but I do like others as well), English breakfast, oolong, jasmine, bubble tea... Most Chinese and Japanese teas I like plain (with the obvious exception -- it's how they serve chrysanthemum tea in China!), most British teas I like with cream and sugar (preferably raw sugar or honey), other than that it really varies by the tea and my mood.
Do you have any personal heroes / heroines and why? It's so cheesy, but definitely my parents. They came here as students and then got stuck and couldn't go back, but they made the best of it; I had a very happy childhood, and as I get older I appreciate more and more their philosophies about life and family. On a less personal level -- Hua Mulan, for obvious reasons, Yu Xuanji (a Tang dynasty female poet whose feminist bent makes me love her even though she was executed young for killing her maid; there's a translation of all her extant poetry here: http://web.archive.org/web/20080803054524/...edu/chinese/yu/ -- click the "Text" link and check out number 19; there are also a bunch of other translations listed here: http://home.infionline.net/~ddisse/yuxuanji.html), and, um, Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
Are there any languages or countries that you're really interested in? ... Chinese and China, pretty obviously. I have some interest in Japan as well, but in a more analytical way than a purely Japanophile way. I also love French and am very interested in learning Ancient Greek (and am certainly interested in their countries), and I love Italy and Hungary (and find their languages cool, too). I'm interested in Norway's fjords, does that count? I think the UK is pretty interesting, too, and Australia and New Zealand, and Russia, and I've heard Turkey is amazing. I'd love to learn any ancient or unusual language, really; I picked up a handwritten book about Indonesian at a thrift store once, and a book about Etruscan at a used book store, and anything like Sumerian or Ancient Egyptian or whatnot would be kickass. I also think linguistics is really cool in general -- I love historical and comparative linguistics and etymology and language drift, linguistic anthropology, semiotics and the study of meaning, language acquisition, etc, etc. Creole languages are amazing, secret languages (thieves' cant!) are amazing, constructed and engineered languages are amazing, hybrid languages and language interactions are amazing. I haven't really seriously studied linguistics, but it's just inherently fascinating to me.
If you could be in any fictional universe, what would it be? (Harry Potter, Firefly, Lord of the Rings, Silent Hill, wtv.) Hmmmmm. Maybe the world of the Chrestomanci novels by Diana Wynne Jones. So many possibilities! And not tooooooo creepy or difficult or distressing -- things that do make good literature, but that I wouldn't necessarily want to live in. The Chrestomanci universe does have those things, but it would be so easy to just experience one little slice of it; plus, in general, good prevails!
~posted 2/4/10~
I custom mix nail polish, a process called 'frankening'. If you were my witch, would you enjoy a custom 'franken', based on whatever colors/theme you chose? Absolutely!
Since everyone is spending the same amount of money on this swap, would you be interested in seeing the cost breakdown of each item in your package? That might be interesting! But I'm okay with it either way.
Do you like guessing who your witch is, or would you prefer to know? Do you mind knowing? I am fine with whatever, though a small part of me would at least like to know eventually (but, you know, if you don't want to reveal, no worries! it's alllllll good). My natural inclination is not to guess, but if you want me to guess, just let me know and I'll give it a shot!
If it's going to be obvious who your witch is, would you rather she played the ninja and sent one big box at the end, or smaller packages along the way? Anything goes! I have no preference.
Keys? Keys are awesome. I like jewelry with them, I like them in general, especially the old-fashioned kind.
Sleepwear? I LOVE light, long or medium-length sleepshirts (in XL), preferably in natural, stretchy, comfy materials. Black is my favorite color for them, but really any darker color is welcome, and even some lighter ones. For sleeping, t's really more about feel. I also go through a lot of pajama pants, but those are really more for lounging about the house than for sleeping per se.
Eye color? Dark warm brown.
Are you opposed to vegan baked goods? Or baked goods in general? I am the opposite of opposed. To both questions! I will note also that I love many bakery items besides the ones listed in the 5-things bakery question. I am easy to please on that front, really.
Roller derby? I adored Whip It, and would absolutely be interested in roller derby related things, and am thinking about going to a match one of these days. But I don't know that I'd ever actually participate in it myself... I'm just not all that sporty. I like to dance, but I'm not as into sports for whatever reason.
What's your favourite flower? Probably roses, especially deep red and Texas yellow and deep rose, and even white (especially when mixed with red); not a huge fan of light pink by itself, but it can be nice mixed with yellow. (Two-tone roses are often really pretty.) Any flower in black or a deep purple or blue so dark that it almost looks like black will make me happy -- there are tulips of this type that I think are beautiful (for example, "Queen of the Night," which has a fabulous name to boot -- the aria is absolutely amazing). I also love lilacs, apple and cherry blossoms, honeysuckle, osmanthus (they smell so amazing), lavender, orchids, irises, daffodils, hibiscus (hibiscus tea and sprite is one of my favorite drinks), some sweet peas, and african violets and violets if they are actually purple (not a fan of some of these scents, but I do think they're pretty). I also like cactus flowers and a lot of wildflowers, but I couldn't tell you what they're called.
hair stuff? I adore hair sticks and those little hair clips (I think they're called snap clips). I like decorative pins and combs as well, and no-snag elastics and fun stuff. I don't really wear headbands, and while I like some jaw clips only a few specific types work on my hair (in general they have to have a built-in space for hair, like those ones with the triangular cross-section, like these: http://www.scunci.com/product_detail.aspx?...id=78&lp=13 -- my hair is long and thick enough that holding it all up can be difficult for the standard jaw clip. I also like some other kinds of clips and enjoy trying new kind of hair toys. For example if I saw this: http://www.scunci.com/product_detail.aspx?...id=21&lp=22 in a store in the large size, I'd probably be tempted to get it. I also wear the occasional large barrette. My very favorite hair toy maker is The Bronze Jewelers: http://www.bronzejewelers.com/ but I like many, many, many others as well.
For those that have dogs, if I were to knit them a sweater, what colour would you like it to be? No dog.
Lip balm: Yay or nay? If yay, what are your favorite kinds (brands, consistency, whatever)? YAY! I used to wear a lot of Burt's Bees Beeswax, but it started to seem drying to me, so I switched to the Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil, which I still do like. But nowadays I mostly use the mango-melon (I think that's the right flavor) lip balm I bought at the Antonana's Fine Products aka Rituals booth in the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis, MN (this is their website: http://www.ritualsmn.net/ but the lip balm isn't listed and I'm not quire sure if it's even orderable online), and I like their rose one, too. It's really smooth, more buttery than waxy, and really natural and pure. I would definitely be interested in trying other lip balms from small-scale, natural retailers. I am also fond of Korres tinted lip butter, though I wish it came in tube form. I also really like lip gloss (especially less sticky, more smooth kinds), but for anything with color, darker is almost always better.
How do you feel about home-canned goods, like pickles, jelly, preserves, stuff like that. I love preserves and jelly, and also things like canned tomato sauce or fudge sauce or other such things. I do like lightly-pickled cucumbers, and dill pickles, and probably some other pickles as well though I'm a little picky about them.
~posted 2/2/10~
Do you have any significant upcoming events in your life you'd like something for? A child/yourself graduating from high school/college? Are you buying a new home or car soon? Moving in with someone/getting married? Taking a new job? Moving to a new part of the country/world?
I actually just moved to a different part of the US and quit my graduate program. Now I'm looking for a job in this area; if I don't find one in the next few months, I'm moving back in with my parents in Minneapolis/St. Paul suburbs. So I've got nothing planned, exactly, but a lot of things hoped for.
If you're my Witchee, would you like a chance to win these (alicia_stardust) earrings?
I think the earrings are utterly gorgeous, but I'm not sure how my ears would react to the copper.
How are we feeling about Burlesque? I love the aesthetics and shows, but I don't do it myself. I might get into it in the future, though.
Is there anything you're lusting after in the Villainess update? I would adore anything Raspberry Swirl, Lipstick Lost, or possibly Miss Edith. Truffle Trade Smack! also looks promising. I've tried only the tiniest bit of Villainess, there's so much stuff I've be psyched to experience.
Would you like or accept an energetically-charged item or gift? Something that had power poured into it? If so, do you have a particular purpose that you'd prefer? (Love, protection, money, etc.)
I would! That's a nifty idea. I'm currently in search of serenity, luck, and money (I'm unemployed and jobsearching at the moment, coming off a bad experience and making a lot of changes to my life).
Sock Dreams?
I'd be interested, certainly. I don't need any thick/heavy/warm socks, but gothy knee-highs (I have thick calves, if that makes a difference in sizing) and ankle-length socks would be welcomed and worn.
Would you use a natural sea sponge? I'd certainly at least try it out.
So, what is this unobtainable miracle your Witch found?
Most likely, the first edition of some book that I adore (for example, Alice in Wonderland, or maybe The Joy of Cooking; I'd love other classic cookbooks, too -- LaRousse Gastronomique (translated into English), or Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child). Or, really, I'd want a complete set of 1st edition hardback Sandman graphic novels. Also, I love antique jewelry, especially Asian stuff and Art Deco, and Ming dynasty furniture. I'd love to own musical instruments, too -- a cello would be my top choice, but a viola, violin, hammered dulcimer, harp, guitar, pipa (a traditional Chinese instrument -- guzheng are my favorite, but there's already one in the family), weighted keyboard, or nice piano would also cause much glee, and a drum set, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trombone, or nice recorder would probably intrigue me. What else... the complete set of Akira Kurosawa movies put out by the Criterion Collection? Oh, and The Cambridge History of China complete set to date (there are still a few not yet published). And, well, one more thing: I would adore a letterpress, or a even a fancy antique calligraphy set. Make that two more things: also, a classic mocha-colored (the sort of shimmery brown coffee color, not the orangey one) English Raleigh. I used to have one, but it was stolen at the Palo Alto Caltrain station while I was at a conference in downtown SF. Yes, I'm still bitter about that. A digital SLR should also be on this list, and Fluevog "Gorgeous" heels in black, size 8.5.
Hmm. If I were forced to pick just one of these, I'd go with the cello. But I figured the thought process and rambling might help you, so I'm leaving it in.
What about UNTOUCHED make-up samples or any other type of girly-sample thing?
Sure, and even lightly used stuff would be all right with me.
Bacon chocolate?
I've had the Vosges bar, and it was tasty enough, but not nearly my favorite Vosges (Barcelona's my all-time favorite, and there are a couple more listed under the "favorite candy" question, and I'm sure there are a several more I'd like to try (or have again, because YUM). I'll note that the Enchanted Mushroom one evoked the same reaction as the Bacon Chocolate one (good but not great), though I bet the SO would be interested in trying some of that. I would be more interested in trying other bacon chocolate items, preferably actual bacon (cooked super crispy but not quite blackened) covered in high-quality dark chocolate. Actually, though, looking at the Vosges page, I think I had the milk chocolate bacon bar; maybe the dark chocolate would be better. The pancake mix and toffee also look intriguing. Especially the toffee. I am a sucker for caramel and salt together, and the addition of bacon and toffee sounds delicious.
Do you prefer coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? What flavors?
If I were forced to pick only one, hot chocolate. I just love the stuff, all sorts of flavors (Chuao Chocolatier's Spicy Maya and Winter are my absolute favorites, but Burdick's is close behind, and I'm always up for trying new hot chocolate), with lots of whipped cream if possible. Tea is a very close second, though -- I love all kinds of tea. Top five: chrysanthemum tea with rock sugar (as you have probably guessed from my Questionnaire), earl grey, Infusions of Tea chocolate mint rooibus, chai of most kinds (I like the kinds with more ginger and pepper and cardamom and less anise better, but I don't think I've ever met a chai that I disliked, and... hmm. Lavender green tea with lychee jellies, or maybe just almond milk tea. I like lots of other tea as well, though, and adore trying new ones! I have to admit, though, that I also love coffee a whole lot. Kona and Blue Mountain, mochas and lattes and freezes, Vietnamese iced coffee and affogato, basically coffee is delicious. I don't make it at home, though -- I don't have any machines or methods (maybe I would if I did? maybe). So I mostly have it when I go out.
Would you like some of my favourite recipes? Yes, please!
posters, pictures, art? I like those things.
Do you like alcoholic beverages? If so, what is your preference (beer, wine, liquor...)? And finally, is it legal to ship alcohol to your state?
I do. I don't drink a ton (I'm a serious lightweight), but I do like a fair number of alcoholic beverages. My favorite thing in the world of alcohol is dessert wine -- I am especially fond of black muscat (which produces a gorgeous dark red wine with a lot of depth; my favorite dessert wine (and alcoholic beverage, really), is Quady Elysium (of the years I've tasted 2003 has been my favorite, but they're all delicious) and ice wine. I also like port and sherry and madeira, especially ruby port. I like non-dessert wines, too -- Syrah/Shiraz and Pinot Noir, Riesling and Gewurztraminer, lots of others. The only one that I know I have issues with is Chardonnay -- it's a very rare chard that I actually like (I think it's because I'm very not fond of tannins, even the ones from oak).
Liquor-wise, I'm mostly a froofy drink kind of girl -- Grand Marnier, Baileys, Kahlua, Frangelico, peach schnapps, creme de menthe, Chambord, Amaretto, creme de cassis, and dark rum, among other things. I've been wanting to try St. Germain.
Sadly, I'm not so into beer. I can drink the occasional hefeweizen, stout, or lambic, and I do like hard ciders and lemonades.
Even more sadly, I believe that shipping into Texas requires a license, and that individuals just can't ship alcohol at all.
I'd love wine or bar accessories, though! Or you might be able to get a retailer within the state or some licensed winery to ship.
Would you like soaps? Especially from Paintbox? And ESPECIALLY the Valentines Special Edition Soaps??
I would love soaps! I would love Paintbox soaps especially! The Sweetheart looks especially delicious, but The Black Heart and Lavender Truffle also very much appeal to me, as do many of the other soaps. I'm totally intrigued now.
Imagine that someone hands you their wallet and sends you into a really good bakery. They have everything, from breads to brownies, cookies to croissants, anything you could imagine, and you're allowed to pick out five things for yourself. What do you pick?
Slot 1: A fresh fruit cream cake -- preferably includes blueberries, strawberries, peaches, kiwi, raspberries, blackberries, and mango. Extra points for edible flowers and/or flower flavoring -- rose or lavender especially.
Slot 2: A butter-sugar pineapple bun (like your normal pineapple bun but with a center layer that was butter and sugar mixed together before baking, and when the bun is eaten is basically crunchy, buttery sugar).
Slot 3: A peanut butter brownie or mint brownie, depending on my mood (the ones with the fudge-y brownie layer on the bottom, then a thick layer of peanut butter or mint cream on top, then a thin layer of chocolate on top).
Slot 4: A pear-almond tart or sunrise danish (pastry cream and an apricot half centered on a croissant-like base), depending on my mood.
Slot 5: An almond croissant if I got the sunrise danish, a chocolate croissant if I got the pear-almond tart.
I would probably mean to get a really delicious french bread or or sourdough or dark rye or pumpernickel or challah, or a ham and cheese kolache or something, but I suspect I'd forget and end up with all sweets instead.
Anyone like steampunk? I like steampunk a whole lot! I'm not deep into the scene or anything, but I love the whole concept of it as well as the aesthetic.
Salted caramels? YUM.
~posted 1/31/10~
A Favorite love poem?
My favorite love poem of all time is W.H. Auden's "Stop all the clocks," aka "Funeral Blues," aka that amazing poem from Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crêpe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
I am also fond of Rainer Maria Rilke's "Again and Again," for something that involves less death.
Again and again, however we know the landscape of love
and the little churchyard there, with its sorrowing names,
and the frighteningly silent abyss into which the others
fall: again and again the two of us walk out together
under the ancient trees, lie down again and again
Song-wise, my favorite is probably "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" by Richard Thompson. I like to sing this with the genders swapped for a friend of mine.
Said Red Molly to James, that's a fine motorbike
A girl could feel special on any such like
Said James to Red Molly, well my hat's off to you
It's a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952
And I've seen you at the corners and cafes it seems
Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme
And he pulled her on behind
And down to Box Hill they did ride
Said James to Red Molly, here's a ring for your right hand
But I'll tell you in earnest I'm a dangerous man
I've fought with the law since I was seventeen
I robbed many a man to get my Vincent machine
Now I'm 21 years, I might make 22
And I don't mind dying, but for the love of you
And if fate should break my stride
Then I'll give you my Vincent to ride
Come down, come down, Red Molly, called Sergeant McRae
For they've taken young James Adie for armed robbery
Shotgun blast hit his chest, left nothing inside
Oh, come down, Red Molly to his dying bedside
When she came to the hospital, there wasn't much left
He was running out of road, he was running out of breath
But he smiled to see her cry
And said I'll give you my Vincent to ride
Says James, in my opinion, there's nothing in this world
Beats a '52 Vincent and a red headed girl
Now Nortons and Indians and Greeveses won't do
They don't have a soul like a Vincent '52
He reached for her hand and he slipped her the keys
He said I've got no further use for these
I see angels on Ariels in leather and chrome
Swooping down from heaven to carry me home
And he gave her one last kiss and died
And he gave her his Vincent to ride
For something a little more traditional (that, say, involves less death), I do love "All I Want Is You" by U2.
You say you want
Diamonds on a ring of gold
You say you want
Your story to remain untold
But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you
You say you'll give me
A highway with no one on it
Treasure just to look upon it
All the riches in the night
You say you'll give me
Eyes in a moon of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbour in the tempest
But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you
You say you want
Your love to work out right
To last with me through the night
You say you want
Diamonds on a ring of gold
Your story to remain untold
Your love not to grow cold
All the promises we break
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you
You...all I want is...
You...all I want is...
You...all I want is...
You...
One last quote about love, this one by the playwright Marivaux. I don't love its heteronormativity, but I think it's gorgeous anyway, and true.
We deceive ourselves. And the world. We forget who we are.
Forget what love makes us. If we could remember.
What a man is. Or a woman. Or a man. What a woman is.
All the pain of the world would be powerless to touch us.
What is your favourite kind of love story?
I am a fan of smart, competent, heroic, imperfect, devoted, snarky, stubborn, insistent, persistent love. I am not a fan of love that seems to inspire stupidity and uselessness and insipidity. In Sense & Sensibility, I adore Elinor and I want to strangle Marianne pretty much perpetually. I love love love Pride & Prejudice (and also The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery and Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, for that matter!), and if I had to pick any set of lovers from a play by Shakespeare, Beatrice & Benedict from Much Ado About Nothing are my favorite pair, by far.
I also really love it when love stories don't necessarily reinforce heterosexual and/or monogamous norms; sadly this doesn't happen very often in mainstream published fiction. The song "Apple Candy" by Ben Lee has a sense of what I mean here, as at least it acknowledges the reality of these feelings:
I wanna know what he knows
I wanna feel what he felt
I wanna go where he's been
I wanna know what he knows
I wanna hear your secrets
I want you and I want him
'Cause you smell like apple candy
And we're singin hallelujah
And the edge in your affection broke my skin
But I wanna know what he knows
I wanna touch what he touched
Call me by his name
'Cause I know you made a promise
Told him he's your lover
Make me feel the same
'Cause you smell like apple candy
And we're singing hallelujah
And I'm feeling so much younger than my years
And I wanna know what he knows
And I wanna go where he's been
I want you and I want him
So you said "go find some trouble"
And you would do the same
And we opened up our hearts so we could change
But you smell apple candy
And we're singing hallelujah
And you smell like apple candy
And we're singing hallelujah
I wanna know what he knows
I wanna feel what he felt
I wanna touch what he touched
I wanna go where he's been
I want you and I want him
What are the first five songs on the "Top 25 Most Played" list on your ipod?
"Kill All Your Friends" by My Chemical Romance
"My Vampire Heart" by Tom McRae
"Cinder and Smoke" by Iron & Wine
"Apple Candy" by Ben Lee
"The Step and The Walk" by The Duke Spirit
And because I've loved looking at other people's Top 25s, here's the 25 more (though I admit I fudged a little and stripped out repeat artists; plus I feel like it's skewing more recent -- there's a lot of other stuff I love, too!):
"Windowsill" by The Arcade Fire
"The Way" by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
"Goddess on a Hiway" by Mercury Rev
"Where Is My Mind" by Yoav
"All My Little Words" The Magnetic Fields
"Gasoline" by The Airborne Toxic Event
"Lullaby" by James
"Country" by Ghost of an American Airman
"Bang the Doldrums" by Fall Out Boy
"The Age of Understatement" by The Last Shadow Puppets
"Shores of California" by The Dresden Dolls
"Disarm" by The Smashing Pumpkins
"The House Rules" by Kane
"Start Again" by War Tapes
"Bullet and a Target (live acoustic)" by Citizen Cope
"She's a Rebel" by Green Day
"How Will You Meet Your End" by AA Bondy
"The Golden Age" by Beck
"Lull" by Andrew Bird
"Been Smokin' Too Long" by Nick Drake
"Take My Hands, We're Free" by Oakley Hall
"Guilty Pleasure" by Cobra Starship
"Rangers" by A Fine Frenzy
"Home" by Joshua Morrison
"Ophelia" by Natalie Merchant
What is everyone's take on Valentine's Day?
I was never a big fan as a kid, too much social anxiety, though I guess I did also find it a little exciting. I do have a really distinct memory of my mom making glue out of rice to stick the envelopes down one year in very early elementary school when we ran out of Elmer's, so that's kind of sweet. By high school, I was all jaded and cynical, but come to think of it I did get the occasional card or flower (that's what comes from being a queen of the geeks, I guess). After high school, I'd say I've been half in relationships and half not, give or take, but for whatever reason I've never been much of a celebrant. I was probably at Boskone (a Boston-area SF con) if it fell on a weekend, and the SO I had the longest was definitely more of the anti-commercialism, shows love all the time kind (as am I, overall), though once on V-day, he did give me one of the best presents I've ever gotten, period -- a double-headed throwing axe. A different Valentine's Day and a different SO garnered one of the most poly experiences I've ever had as we went to a concert with a hilariously extended web of people who were dating. This year, my boyfriend as of last May seems really excited to do the whole dinner thing, so we'll do that. I might also find a place to go for dim sum earlier in the day, too, or maybe I'll just make some at home. Possibly his present will go to him in a red envelope for Chinese New Year...
Do you like traditional Valentine's Day colors (red, pink, white, more)?
I love some reds, mostly deep reds that lean more blue than orange; I have a huge thing for the classic Chinese red, that intense color of high-quality red silk. Red and black is one of my favorite color schemes and is probably what I'll be wearing for V-day if I don't go with just black. I also really like purple -- the mardi gras colors are more my speed than the Valentine's day colors, really. I'm not really against white but I'm not really a fan either (though red and white is an acceptable color scheme for me, and I do like black and white a lot), and while I don't dislike pink as much as I used do, I'm still kind of really picky about it. It can look good with black, at least. I'm just not that fond of pastels in general -- pale blue is pretty much the only one I would normally consider wearing. But at least I'm not kneejerk strictly against pink anymore. I'm not a big fan of the heart motif, either. I belong in the "anatomical hearts yes, heart-shaped symbol not so much" category. There are some things for which it's fine (generally purely decorative things -- Valentine's Day specific things get more leeway!), but if it's for jewelry or clothing, it's unlikely to be for me. Though if it's a black heart, that always helps.
Turkish Delight? Yum, but not as inherently yum as some other sweets. I'd love to try homemade ones, though.
What's everyone's favorite semi-obscure (or underappreciated!) animal?
I became quite attached to the tapirs at the Minnesota Zoo when I was growing up. I'm also a big fan of hedgehogs, and I think spiders and bats are unappreciated -- they get rid of so many annoying insects! -- and they're cute it their own ways.
What is your favorite sign that spring is coming?
That water-trickling sound that pervades Minnesota as the snow melts. And lilacs for May Day! (In Minnesota, spring comes a little later than February.) Mostly I love winter and hate summer, so I'm more of an autumn gal. But spring itself can be nice.
Would something hand knit be nice for you?
Sure! I prefer super lightweight things, though -- heavier-weight stuff only gets use while I'm visiting Minnesota for a couple of weeks in the winter. I'm living in a pretty summer-intensive place now, so I spend a lot more time wishing to be cooler than wishing to be warmer, and even when I wish to be warmer, I only want to be the tiniest bit warmer, and probably for not very long.
Would anyone like receiving naughty/sexy things?
Sure! I prefer high-quality useful (but fun!) stuff to silly novelty stuff. TMI: I am pretty kinky myself, but my boyfriend is less so -- mild, intro-to-kink sorts of things would be especially welcome. But really, all sorts of things would be welcome.
Who on the thread likes attending Ren Faires, SciFi/Comic Cons & the like? And do you dress up for them?
I attend Ren Faires every once in awhile and sometimes dress up. I attend the occasional SF/book/Comic con; for Comic-Con itself I tend to dress up a little but always comfortably, for smaller cons (say, Arisia) I sometimes dress up more extensively as it's easier to get back to the hotel room and change during smaller cons. I have played live-action role-playing games in the past and hope to again, so more costuming is always nice. I also go to goth clubs and dress up more or less for those.
The Qaire mentioned used books, but what about used CDs, DVDs, etc. Yup, it's all good.
Do you need any accessories for your phone, computer, mp3 player, &c.? I've been wanting a speaker dock for my iPod (3G nano), but that's most likely over the $ limit for the round. As for smaller things... well, I could use a case for it that actually had room for my Etymotic earbuds to fit in it along with the nano in its sleek rubber case.
For those of you with pets, would you like pet things? Toys, treats, etc? No pets for me at the moment.
And if your witch was international, would you be interested in receiving gifts that were representative of her country or culture? Absolutely, and I'd love regional US stuff, too.
Would you be interested in getting a mix CD from your witch? Hell yes! I am always in favor of more music!
What's your favourite candy?
Besides chocolates, I like fleur de sel caramels, Reeses Pieces (and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, though they might count as chocolate), fruit-flavored Mentos, and fruit-flavored and flower-flavored hard candy. In chocolates, I like usually like dark chocolate more than milk, though sometimes milk (or even white) does really work for me, especially if it has lots of stuff in it. A few of my favorite chocolate bars: Vosges Barcelona, Vosges Woolloomooloo, Vosges Naga, Chuao Caracas (milk chocolate), Chuao Spicy Maya, Chuao Earl Grey, Ritter Sport Butter Biscuit, Ritter Sport Whole Hazelnut (I actually prefer the original milk chocolate for this one), Dolfin Chocolat Au Lait Hot Masala, Dolfin Chocolat Noir Au Thé Earl Grey, Dolfin Chocolat Noir Au Gingembre Frais, Scharffen Berger Milk Chocolate with Sea Salted Almonds, Theo Cherry & Almond, 3400 Phinney Chai Tea, 3400 Phinney Coconut Curry, Cadbury Fruit & Nut, and (the staple of my childhood) Hershey's milk chocolate with almonds. I also really adore Chuao Chocolatier's truffles and have a soft spot for Trader Joe's truffles, chocolate raspberry sticks, and dark chocolate almonds. And I love mint chocolate!
Are you a big Mardi Gras fan? What's your favorite part?
I wouldn't say I'm a big fan, exactly, but I do like Mardi Gras. King cake is delicious and fun, and I think the beads are pretty cool, too, especially in the green-purple-gold Mardi Gras colors.
If you're a WoW player, do you have the Pandaren Monk and Lil' KT pets? Would you want them?
Not a WoW player, though I do like video games. But I'm really more of a general gamer -- tabletop RPGs, LARPs, card games, board games, etc.
Plush microbes? I've always found these cute and I don't own any yet.
What about handmade sewn gifts? Any fabrics you wish to/need to avoid due to allergies, etc?
Totally in favor! I don't have any allergies that I know of, but coarser wools do sometimes make me itch when next to my skin.
Would you like new nail polish? If so, what colors are you craving?
Sure! Deep, dark reds, variations on black, and super dark versions of most colors, especially blue and green and purple. I like swirls and pearls and iridescents and sometimes glitters. I like shiny a lot, but something more matte might be interesting, too. I don't wear nail polish a ton, but I do enjoy it, and would probably wear it more if I were gifted some fabulous stuff. I also think it would be neat to have some nail care stuff.
Do you like incense and/or scented candles, and are you able to burn them in your home? If so, what kinds of scents do you like?
Yes, and yes. For candles, I like foodie scents that aren't too cake-y -- I like spices, I like fruits, I like vanilla. I like some floral scents, pretty much the same ones as I like in perfume -- lavender, rose, lilac. I'm not a fan of clean scents and I am neutral on resins and woods. For incense... you know, I'm not that sure. I don't like things that are too heady, but I do like the scent of smoke; I'm willing to try whatever on the incense front, I guess.
Kitchen gadgets? Generally in favor. I think the only thing of that sort that I currently own is a microplane grater.
Boxes? For Bpal (bottles and/or imps) or otherwise.
Always! I adore boxes and containers and could always use more, especially for bpal but just in general, too.
Stuff that I have, messily C&P'd into categories:
(some of these are probably in the wrong category, and a handful of them -- mostly GCs and possettes -- might have been sent away)
[Note: this doesn't really indicate what I like, just what has made its way to me through various means.]
(last update 9/20/10)
GC imps:
aizen-myoo
aglaea
the antikythera mechanism
dragon's blood x2
eclipse
eden x2
gluttony
jezebel
kali
the lion
miskatonic university
nanshe
severin
shango
shoggoth
silk road
snake oil
verdandi
baku
black lotus
cathode
event horizon
lilith
love in idleness
midnight
psyche
rapture
shanghai
the hamptons
athens
hunger
undertow
Horn of Plenty
Queen Mab
Manhattan
Arkham
Thalia
Bliss
Hellfire
Poisoned Apple
The Caterpillar
All Night Long
Grog
Hurricane
Blood
Penny Dreadful
Cathedral x2
Seance
Baobhan Sith
Baku
Juke Joint
Black Phoenix
Tweedledum
Harlot
La Bella Donna Della Mia Mente
Ophelia
Absinthe
Tintagel
Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo
Rosalind
Titania
Kathmandu
Robin Goodfellow
Verdandi
The Great Sword of War
Kurukula
Bluebeard
The Dormouse
Persephone
Black Opal
Le Serpent Que Danse
Port-Au-Prince
Mouse's Long and Sad Tale
The Hamptons
Dorian
bastet
cheshire cat
d shub-niggurath
tzadikim nistarim
d morocco
ogun
eos
hermia
hecate
paris
florence
hollywood babylon
kuang shi
masquerade
voodoo
alecto
block buster
imp
la belle au bois dormant
grand guignol
nostrum remedium
nocturne
dirty
Dove's Heart
Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo
Black Cat
Anne Bonny
Chimera
The Jersey Devil
Nosferatu
Tanin'iver
Blood Pearl
Catherine
Darkness
Dorian
Dragon's Reverie
Erato
Kathmandu
Lolita
Niflheim
Othello
Psyche
Rapture
Sloth
Snake oil
White Rabbit
Black Pearl (torn label, testable amount)
black phoenix
house of night
lysander
shanghai
gomorrah
siren
event horizon
oujia
thanatos
utrennyaya
casanova
nefertiti
uruk
r'lyeh
nyarlathotep
lust
queen alice 1/3 imp
rosalind
voodoo
szepasszony
ode on melancholy
lorelei
suspiro
port royal
love me
serpents with glittering eyes & forky tongues (sniffie)
the robotic scarab (sniffie)
old scratch
belle vinu
prunella
bensiabel
rumpelstilzchen
serpents with glittering eyes and forky tongues
the miller's daughter.
athens
belladonna
czernobog
dee
dragon's hide
hellcat
horreur sympathetique
ladon
the red queen
satyr
thalia
troll
tweedledee
vechernyaya
wilde
hamadryad
sudha segara
elegba
eve
maenad
hades
nemesis
seraglio
tweedledee
vice
bengal
tenochtitlan
squirting cucumber
block buster
black cat
van van
queen
erato
polyhymnia
terpischore
thalia
urania
ra
tannin'iver
delirium
the hesperides
imp
mania
the knave of hearts
zephyr
horror sympathique
depraved
succubus
akuma
chimera
the temptation
vixen
mock turtle
la petit mort
centzon totochtin
dian's bud
kitsune-tsuki
dove's heart
red devil
arcana
the black tower
intrigue
jabberwocky
la belle dame sans merci
sundew
villain
al-shairan
wanda
wolfsbane
wrath
herbert west
desire
machu picchu
alecto
peitho
Black Hellebore - at label
Chuparosa
Epitaph
Delight - a little below label
Gaueko
Les Bijoux
Mata Hari - at label
Salome
Satyr
#20 Love Oil
Antique Lace
Embalming Fluid
L'Ecole des Filles
Megaera
Santa Muerte
Kyoto
Zombi
Old Scratch
New Orleans
black forest
laudanum
mandrake
ava maria gratia plena
gaueko
kuang shi
osun
squirting cucumber
51 (wrinkled label)
Bien Loin d'Ici
Blood Kiss
Envy
High John the Conqueror
Melpomene
Sybaris
Wolf's Heart x2
Slippery Poppy Tincture
Odin
akuma
black dahlia
cobra lily
come to me
croquet
defutata
djinn
goblin
helena
hi'iaka
himerus
hymn
kabuki
kumari kandam
love me
marquise de merteuil
peitho
port royal
rose cross
santa eularia des riu
serpent's kiss
shattered
suspiro
wanton
wings of azrael
zorya
dragon's milk
croquet
strangler fig
tombstone
aizen-myoo
dirty
dragon's eye
hamadryad
velvet
blood lotus
grog
high john the conqueror
phantom queen
two, five, and seven
king of hearts
lilith
fire of love
black lily
swank
twenty one
croquet (sniffie, a few drops)
love lies bleeding
ophelia
snake oil
sybaris
queen of sheba
dana o'shee
the rose
moon rose
alice
eat me
all night long
juke joint
black rose
cthulhu
drink me
the hamptons
lucy's kiss
moon rose
pele
rose cross
sri lanka
utrennyaya
lurid
delirium
aelopile (GC)
fallen (GC)
black opal
dove's heart
event horizon
highwayman
la bella donna della mia mente
leanan sidhe
lysander
maenad
magdalene
morocco
nuit
peitho
sacred whore of babylon
the scales of deprivation
temple of dreams
thanatos
undertow
vechernyaya
Belle Vinu (2/3)
jazz funeral
marquise de merteuil
obsidian widow
pontarlier
ra
tell tale heart
arcana
obatala
the apple of sodom
bohun upas
the lotus tree
the tree of knowledge of good and evil
the zieba tree
eros
o
katharina
stimulating sassafras strengthener
march hare
somnus
night-gaunt
51
the antikythera mechanism
baneberry
brown jenkins
chuparosa
darkness
debauchery
djinn
eos
french love
harlot
hollywood babylon
incantation
mad hatter
saint-germain
succubus
sudha segara
to a woman
tweedledee
undertow
glasgow
yggdrasil
Gomorrah
Moscow
Ouija
deadly nightshade honey
hemlock honey
GC bottles:
aglaea
baku
belle vinu
snake oil
kali
the miller's daughter
greed
GC Salon/TAL/unimpables & LE/discontinued decants (including CD, Lunacy, etc):
Bat
Cleopatra Testing Poisons on Those Condemned to Death
Death and Life Completed
Fox Fires on NYE at the Garment Nettle Tree at Oji
Kiyohime Changes From a Serpent
Love and Pain
Macbeth and the Witches:
Mad Meg
Madonna
Monna Vanna
Philosopher in Meditation
Schlafende Baigneuse
The Smiling Spider
Spirit of the Komachi Cherry Tree:
Sunflower
Sunrise With Sea-Monsters
the arrival at the sabbath and homage to the devil
the cup of death
cupid complaining to venus
the ecstasy of st. theresa
garden path with chickens
the great he-goat
the great red dragon and the woman clothed with the sun
itaso kansei nenkan joro no fuzoku
judith victorius
la mort qui danse
the lantern ghost of oiwa
les anges dechus
lot and his daughters
melancholia
the sailor's den
three gorgons
haloes
judith and holofernes
heavenly love & earthly love
wezwanie/hold
lucifer
el amor y la muerte
la vague
peacocks
autumn
mad kate
the black swan
rozpustnica
parsifal
The Cup Of Death (Salon)
Retail-Only Salons: El Amor y la Muerte
death of sardanapal
mad kate
Butterflies and Plovers
Ebisu Making Love as Two Octopuses Look on
Lover's Parodies of Sumo Holds
Men Ringing Bells with Penises
The Black Swan
The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife
seduction
succor
lustration
quietude
moxie
detox
safari
bitch
TKO
snake eyes (2/3)
white light
anthelion
lionheart
ouroboros
master (TAL)
Madame Tracy
Victoria
War (leaking?)
The Witch Queen
Yvaine
Aziraphale (leaking?)
buggre all this bible (80%)
bilquis
spider
eau de ghoul
banana peel in a graveyard
lady on the grey
the macabray
miss lupescu
the convocation
the owens' tomb
snow white 07 (full)
vampire tears (3/4)
libra (3/4)
pumpkin queen (3/4)
samhain 07 (full)
sugar skull 06 (full)
alison grossi
berenice
gibbous moon
ivanushka
lady luck blues
litha
moon of ice
night thoughts
sportive sun
parentalia
presence of love
Rose Moon (full)
The Organ Grinder (full)
Earth Rat (full)
Midnight Kiss (Full)
hony mone
the phantom calliope (sniffie)
lady lilith
pumpkin II
pumpkin III
pumpkin IV
mictecacihuatl
to autumn
calliope 1/2 decant
tarot the magician
13 from April 2007
bad luck woman blues
et lux fuit
chaos theory: butterfly effect CCCLXXXII
chaos theory: butterfly effect CDXXXIII
Witching Time of Night
Sephitroth: Yesod
Qliphoth: Thaumiel
Qliphoth: Sathariel
Qliphoth: Samael
Qliphoth: Ghagiel
Qliphoth: Gha'agsheblah
Qliphoth: A'arab Zaraq
Sephiroth: Binah (3/4)
Sephiroth: Chesed (3/4)
Qliphoth: Thagirion
Qliphoth: Gamaliel
Bakeneko
Faiza (sniffie)
SN Grapefruit (sniffie)
Pumpkin Patch III (p-smthng? & pomegranate) (sniffie)
Quincy Morris (sniffie)
Carceri d'Invenzione
Death of Autumn
Diwali
Enraged Orangutan Musk
Gingerbread Poppet '06
Illustrated Woman (75%)
Lurid Library
Midwinter's Eve '06 (75%)
All Souls '07 (75%)
The Castle (50%)
The Snow Storm (75%)
Sportive Sun (70%)
Hearth '05 (30%)
Door 13 (sniffie)
Snow, Glass, Apples (imp in a bottle)
harvest moon 2006
vampire tears
asp viper
green tree viper
saw-scaled viper
night's pavilion
winter of our discontent
aries
cancer
bitter moon (~ imp in the bottle)
blue moon 2007
budding moon
holiday moon (little less than a full imp in the bottle)
snow moon
dia de los muertos (quarter-bottle)
enraged groundhog musk
fire pig
poisson d'avril
the perilous parlor 1/2
purple phoenix
red lantern
sticky pillowcase
parlement of foules
treat #2 sniffie (liquid)
storm moon sniffie (dry)
cereberus
3 am 1/2 imp
gelt
rum butter cookie
lick it like you mean it
sugar cookie 2008
visiting the temple of auspicious fortune alone on the winter solstice
carnaval diabolique
mme. moriarty, misfortune teller
xanthe, the weeping clown
theodosius, the legerdemain
the flower song (imp in a bottle)
faith
hope
licwlglunga
cytherea
marguerite
midnight on the midway
the presence of love
mole (decant in a bottle)
lines written among the Euganean hills
all they had seen, and all they had lost
the magi
rose red
winter of our discontent
democrat
independent
Snow Angel 1/3
i fell in love with a floating brain
mutant hot-rodders from hell high
spawn of the she-demon
that! the terror from over there!
crimson christmas
invasion of the flesh-eating reindeer from uranus
milk moon
snow angel: resurrected
snowblind: resurrected
gluhwein
hollyberry and mistletoe
scattered gloom
uncertain horror
bah
humbug
Antonino, the Carny Talker (decanted 09/2007)
Australian Copperhead (decanted 11/2008)
Boomslang (decanted 11/2008)
Coral Snake (decanted 11/2008)
King Cobra (decanted 11/2008)
Priala, the Human Phoenix (decanted 11/2008)
Pulcinella & Teresina (decanted 09/2007)
Thalassa, the Galapagos Mermaid (decanted 11/2008)
Wulric, the Wolfman (decanted 11/2008)
Zarita, the Doll Girl (decanted 11/2008)
Pumpkin Patch I
Pumpkin Patch III
Pumpkin Patch V
Tanuki
Egg Nog
The Fruit of Paradise
La Befana
Lick it One More Time
The Peacock Queen
Rose Red 2007
November
Tiger Lily
Virgo sniffie
Snow White 2008 sniffie
Daiyu - decant, 95%
Kunstkammer - 1/2 decant
La Vita Nouva - decant, 85%
CTII CCCXLV sniffie w/ drops
CTII CDXXXIV sniffie w/ drops
CTII CLVIII
CTIII DCXVIII
CTIV CCCXX
CTIV DCCCLXI 1/2
CTIV MCVI
CTIV MCCCLXIV 1/2
Fearful Pleasure - decant, 30% full
Khajuraho 08 (full to top of label)
Sleepy Hollow: Gunpowder
flower moon
Cheshire Moon
Lunar Eclipse
Luperci 2008
Te Po (Atomic Luau Lounge)
Golden Wave (Atomic Luau Lounge)
Knecht Ruprecht 2006 (stained label, slightly below label)
Dionysia
Hanami - imps worth in 1ml roller vial
The Head of Holofernes
Jolasveinar 2007 - imps worth in 1ml roller vial
Penumbra
Spell of Amorous Love - imps worth in 1ml roller vial
dia de los muertos 2005 decant
sniffle imp: fruitcake (dry)
beltane '06 30%
glamour
farewell to false love
the grindhouse
la vague
the churchyard
aries
dark delicacies
mars
lilith victoria
sapphics
white phoenix
long night moon
lune noire
old moon
beltane 2008
huesos de santo
jacob's ladder
pickled imp
glitter
harikata
Anactoria
Black Moon
Christmas Rose 2007
Dragon Moon (older year)
Pumpkin Patch #1 2008
Montresor
Snow Maiden
The Brides of Dracula
The Emathides
The Ghastly Garden
love's philosophy
eisheth zenunim
glowing vulva sniffie, generous drops
gwyneth
melisande
crumpet rebelion
lydia
monsterbait: closet
monsterbait: underbed
monsterbait: underpants
shanghai tunnel
tarot: wheel of fortune
tarot: the moon 1/2
tarted old venice 1/2
tarted emperor
jolasveinar 2007
zarita the doll girl
snow-flakes '06
spanked (sniffie, almost entirely dry)
ashlutum (sniffie, dry -- suspect it leaked in the mini-bag)
banded sea snake (sniffie, barely a drop)
king cobra (sniffie, almost entirely dry)
the blasphemare reliquary
the contract of theophilus of adana
tabula smaragdina
two-headed goat
Chaos Theory III-CCLXXXIV (mocha, to me)
Glasya 2006
Herr Drosselmeyer
Sagittarius 2007
yuletide 2007 decant
devils night 2005 decant
toad hall decant
blasphemare reliquary
the wild men of jezirat
aeronwen
agrat-bat-mahlaht
clemence
inez
dia
eustephanos (imp in a roller vial)
khrysee
makhanitis
melainis
morpho
philommeides
pontia
pothon meter
symmakhia
earth ox
413 U.S. 15 / Miller Vs California
dark chocolate and cherry
dark chocolate and pepper-smoked caramel
milk chocolate buttercream
white chocolate marshmallow and coconut
white chocolate and strawberry
white chocolate and sugared violets (leaked, soaked, sticky label)
couple consulting an enpon
eight views of actors in their dressing rooms
flowering chrysanthemums
giant vulva
lovers in a ricefield
lovers with rutting cats
man with phallus head
manners among men and women in the red light district
tissue
voyeurs among the cherry blossoms
cheshire moon
sugar moon
dyan moon
mourning moon x2
sturgeon moon
hay moon
budding moon
singing moon
sea of tranquility
honey mone
beaver moon
pink moon
night thoughts x2
hanami
clod and pebble
her voice
vampire tears
moon of ice
la vita nuovo
parentalia
ivanushka
victoria
mort de cesar
sapphics
libra
abhisarika
New Year's Eve in Dogville
Pumpkin Queen
Kindly Moon (2/3)
Virahotkantita (2/3)
lady luck blues (~1/2?)
arachne (sniffie) (drops)
aeaea (~90%)
velvet clown
velvet cthulhu
velvet nudie
velvet panther
velvet pink kitty
velvet tiger
velvet tiki
velvet unicorn
coxcomb
marotte
motley
the deserted village
the dole of the king's daughter
eanach ehuin
the host of the air
the ides of march
hand of hermes
road opener
stfu
charisma
milk & honey
bette noir
kaiden
yurei
witchblade
door (decant in a bottle)
hunter
the floating market
lamia
black death (decant in a bottle)
black heart
black lace
Metal Tiger
Bijoux
Enchanted Wood Florist
Zadok Allen Vineyard
Khrysopelex
Miaphonos
Thoos
Thouros
Anactoria
Perfumed Garden
Two Loves
Unveiled
autumn moon of the mirror stand
beanman & beanwoman prepare to attack the vagina
harimse
kiss amongst discarded tissues
konseishin the penis god
lovers in a carp streamer
needlework
octopus and abalone diver
okayaki
penis admiration
picture book and pleasure toys
pink mood
prosperity of a country
ronin
unveiled
doll's eye infused honey
jerusalem cherry infused honey
yew berry infused honey
paduan killer swarm
gypsy
luna
rosy maple
common jezebel
monarch
paper kite
spicebush swallowtail
The Magician
The Priestess (decant in a bottle)
The Fool
Countess Willie
Crib Girls
Emma
Flora
Helena
Josie
Lulu (decant in a bottle)
Attuning
Mnemosyne
Aegis
Brass Balls
Jinx Removing
Blessings of Isis
Mantle of Venus
Nocturne
Bocal del Sang (FRIMP from DarkDel)
Cicuta
Sanctus
Vespillo
Tombeur
Transeo
VILF
Ordered from decant circles:
dia de los natitas
lambs-wool 2010
nothing gold can stay
punkie night
pumpkin latte
blue pumpkin floss
samhain 2010
halloween: brooklyn
halloween: san francisco
halloween: new orleans
ghoulish
pomegranate I
pomegranate II
pomegranate III
pomegranate IV
pomegranate V
encroaching madness
LE/discontinued/Salon/Tal/unimpable bottles:
clio
green phoenix (detached label)
Chanukkiyah 2007
ashlultum
phantom calliope
house of mirrors w/ snake charmer label
madeline
samhain 2008
tabella
e pluribus unum
candy butcher
dog days of summer
pancake breakfast
Snow Angel
Gluhwein
Snowblind (1/2)
The Gladdener of All Hearts (at label, maybe a smidge below)
Blue Moon 07 (smidge above label)
Ostara (~3/4 full)
Bilquis (.6 full)
Dyan Moon
Presence of Love
moon of the terrible x 2
snake charmer: resurrected
gennivre
candy phoenix
metal phoenix
snake charmer resurrected
gelt
visiting the temple of auspicious fortune
earth ox
agape x 3
maud ruthyn
blue phoenix
monsterbait: bloody mary
lady luck blues
nahemoth
new year's eve in dogville
pink phoenix
taurus 2007
13: march 2009
flower moon 2009
chaos theory 5 v1: the dorian series
chaos theory 5 v1: the o series (I think I got rid of this one)
chaos theory 5 v1: the snake oil series
philommeides
tissue
manners among men and women in the red light district
man with phallus head
flowering chrysanthemums
Libra 2007
Irrelevant and Disturbing Crawdad Dreams
Katrina von Tassel
hunger moon (.6 bottle)
beatrice (.8 bottle)
pumpkin V 2008 (empty)
BPTP:
BPTP gula bath oil sample [might be used]
gula bath oil sample [might be used]
1/2 Yuletide Past atm spry (generous half)
Yule bath oils: proserpina
Yule bath oils: winter maiden
Yule bath oils: holiday stress relief
Atm spray goblin squirts: the queen's croquet ground
Atm spray goblin squirts: okiya
Goblin of Yuletide Past atm spray decant
Goblin of Yuletide Present atm spray decant
ghost of yuletide present amt spray decant
ghost of yuletide past amt spray decant
ghost of yuletide yet to come amt spray decant
bah humbug amt spray decant
snow white atm spray decant
ice prince bath oil decant
luxuria bath oil (mini bottle)
l'autumno bath oil (mini bottle) [might be used]
Possettes:
dioxazine purple
fireflies
id
Fluoxetine
The Girls Love Pink Pepper
High Tea
Midnight Mass at Old St. Mary's
Naples Yellow
The Scent of Angels
Silver Roses
d Super Ego
Titanium White
possets: cadium orange
possets: dioxaxine purple
possets: scented gloves
Possets - Girls love Limeys - full decant
Possettes: The girls love limeys
possetts: paisley
possets: silver violets
possets: sweet new england (vermont)
possets: the clockwork kumquat (oregon)
possets: dioxazine purple
Sunshine in a Bottle -- California
The Clockwork Kumquat -- Oregon
Moon of Carolina -- South Carolina
Sweet New England -- Vermont
The Gingerbread Whorehouse
The Gingerbread Crackhouse
Ego
Glee
Lambs
Madame X
Maggie
Penelope
Puce!
Strawberry Heart
Ultramarine Blue
The Girls Love to Go Clubbing!
The Girls Love a Good Posset!
The Girls Love Vanilla!
ault park
eve
cadmium red
dioxazine purple x 2
fluxotine
friction
the girls love limeys
the girls love vanilla
handkerchief water
hearts and flowers x 2
madame x
scented gloves
a snowflake in the martini
strawberry heart
super ego
titanium white
ultramarine blue
western hills
bottle: Forever Home
bottle: Mark
bottle: Starry Night
bottle: Walter
bottle: Lily - The Halloween Vixen
bottle: Venus Black
bottle: Yule Posset 2008
bottle: Epinoia
bottle: Pomander Ball 2008
bottle: Lavender Water - Le Soleil
bottle: Lavender Water - Les Espices
bottle: Lavender Water - Les Fleurs
bottle: Hearts and Flowers
bottle: Friction
bottle: Zuben-el-Genubi
bottle: Wiley - Mr. "Schnecken"
bottle: Candy Thong
Other samples:
Arcana's Peppermint SN - full decant
Arcana: Sleepy Hollow
Arcana's Sweet Milk SN - full decant
Conjure Oils Shape Shifter
Conjure Oils Shape Shifter - full decant
Four Season Fragrances: Autumn Equinox
HAEE: cherry blossom (1.5 size)
HAEE: innocence
HAEE: lolita
HAEE: "moonlight fairy"
Dream Esscents: vintage pumpkin
Dream Esscents.com noix de coco
Dream Esscents.com candy cream
DE teakwood
DE au lait (probably -- a little rubbed off)
DE shanghai pearl
Midsummer Muse presents White Paper
Mythos Mixtures: konohana
nocturne alchemy egyptologist
Sidhe Creations: Vampire's Teeth
Superbad's Bond Girls - full decant
Superbad's French Model's Breakfast - full decant
Superbad's Pulp - sniffie w/ drops
Superbad's Rarely Wrong - full decant
Superbad's Souvenir - full decant
velvet moon bathery "Vanilla Mourning"
Violette Market: Betty (full mini bottle -- about half a bpal bottle)
wylde ivy custom "Sweet Earth"
Arcana: anodyne (10 ml)
cobalt blends: headless gingerbread man (bottle)
cremoso bath: brigid's eternal fire
ZOMG Smells :] -- Beyond Blueberry
Soap Box Co = I Smell Good:
sea salt
chocolate
marshmallow
lily
violet
vanilla
peach
coconut
apple
rose
mango
almond
rhubarb
cake
plumeria
cherry
amber
I Smell Good: Berry SN - full decant
I Smell Good: Lily SN - full decant
I Smell Good: Peach SN - full decant
I Smell Good: Marshmallow SN - 1.5 decant, vial is bigger than an imp sized vial
What kinds of crafts does everyone either enjoy making or enjoy getting? Do you have a certain type of handmade item that you love to collect? Socks, boxes, jewelry, dolls etc?
I'm not a big crafter, but I do dabble in jewelry and food, and I've been thinking about learning to knit (bought Stich 'n' Bitch, and got a couple of needles and some yarn as gifts) but just haven't gotten around to it. I also like papercraft type supplies.
Getting? Anything knit wants to be really lightweight, as I live in the land of sun and soon will be adding heat and humidity to that, so I spend a lot of time being warmer than I want to be. I do occasionally go back to Minnesota in the winter, so tall socks, legwarmers, scarves, and gloves would probably get at least some use, anyway. I love boxes and am in constant need of more. I love jewelry of certain styles. I love stationary. I love food, baked goods, drink mixes. No to the dolls, though I do own a little knit, stuffed Cthulhu and he wouldn't mind having some friends (I keep thinking he might enjoy a knit Dalek or something; I like stuffed animals in general as well).
I would prefer things that would be not too difficult to pack (or consume), because I'm moving in early fall.
if you're NOT a vegan how would you feel about soaps made with emu oil? Squicked out/concerned about animal cruelty, or willing to try them?
Willing to try them.
Are there any of the BPTP bath oils you adore (particularly ones that you cannot get anymore). What about the room sprays?
I've only tried a handful of bath oils and room sprays (Proserpina, Winter Maiden, Holiday Stress Relief, Gula, Ice Prince, L'Autumno, The Queen's Croquet Ground, Okiya, Yuletide Past, Yuletide Present, Yuletide Yet To Come, Bah Humbug, Snow White) and would mostly just like to try bath oils I haven't tried yet.
How would you feel about an ultra-girlie shawl or wrap in summer-weight (lace)?
Thrilled! Those are gorgeous, and so lightweight I could probably even use them fairly regularly.
what would you think of hand-dyed items?
I'd probably be pretty positive, as long as the colors were dark and the pattern pretty subtle. I don't know that I'd want a whole shirt like that, but a scarf, shawl, camisole, socks, pillowcase, or skirt would probably be pretty cool.
How do you feel about hand-knit socks?
Good! I especially like them knee or thigh height (stretchy and with room to accommodate my fairly rotund legs) and as thin as possible, and/or with spiffy patterns.
For non-US witches: is there anything from the US you'd love that you can't get where you live now?
I'm in the US, but from overseas I love UK Cadbury Fruit & Nut bars (the chocolate tastes different!), Tim Tams, and weird-flavored or nutty Pocky. I also have a soft spot for Kinder Eggs, Asian bottled fruit drinks (not the think gelatin-y ones, but the strong-flavored grape or peach or orange or apple drinks), and strange savory cracker-like snacks. Oh, and also? Exotic spices or spice mixes -- I'd love a bunch of different Hungarian paprikas, for example.
How many potential witchees have an iPod, or download MP3s?
I have a little black full-to-bursting 8 GB nano, but I'm always always always looking for more music, via MP3s or cds or podcasts or whatever. If you're looking for more info on my musical tastes, the following mix isn't a bad place to start:
http://www.bpal.org/index.php?showtopic=52...p;#entry1381571
I also tend to talk music in my livejournal reasonably often (there's a tag), and will sometimes put something in the "Current Music" field.
Would anyone like bath bombs or bath melts scented with one of their favorite Bpal scents?
Maybe a few, though not a super-huge number because I can't use in my current apt because it has a crappy tub. But I'd save them for when I next find a good tub.
Would you like homemade cinnamon buns or sticky buns?
YES!
Is there anyone here that likes Hello Kitty or any other Sanrio Characters?
I am reasonably fond of the flat panda and find the rest of them neutral-to-mildly-good. I do have a Hello Kitty purse, but it's made out of black vinyl and hot pink trim, so I guess stuff on the gothier side will appeal to me more.
Ok, for all you shower people, would you like Bpal scented soap? I'm out of soap stuff right now, but if I can get any anytime soon, would that be something that you'd like? Or how about Bpal scented massage bars or solid scrub bars?
Yes, definitely! I prefer bar body soap and liquid hand soap, and would be especially interested in the solid scrub bars.
Do you play any online games, like World of Warcraft? If so, what server do you play on, what's your character's name, etc.?
Alas, I currently do not.
Is there a program you might have missed or show you love which is gone from the airwaves which might be found (or burned) for you by a Witch?
Things watched in the distant past that I'd love to have: Head of the Class! Star Trek: The Next Generation, Rags to Riches, 3-2-1 Contact, Gummi Bears, Saved By the Bell, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Kimagure Orange Road, Kino's Journey... Missed and curious: Black Books, Twin Peaks, Saiyuki, Inu-yasha, Witch Hunter Robin, Samurai Champloo, Full Metal Alchemist, Rurouni Kenshin OAVs, Azumanga Daioh, Avatar, Merlin, Project Runway, American Idol either 7 or 8, Profit, The Unusuals, Breaking Bad, Privilege, Gossip Girl, Farscape, Rescue Me, 30 Rock, Prison Break, Rosemary and Thyme, New Doctor Who, Rome, Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, Mad Men, The Wire, Big Love, Numb3rs, Criminal Minds, Dexter, 24, Scrubs, The Sopranos, Chappelle's Show, Deadwood, Dirty Sexy Money, Traveler, Castle...
If you were to make a seasonal mix CD for this summer, what would you name it?
A two-disc set: Deceptive Leisure/Quiet Love
Do you collect dolls or miniatures? What kind? Do you like to get new clothes or items for them?
Nope, though I do occasionally like tiny objects like tea sets or whatnot.
So what are people doing with their saturdays so far?
Staying up way too late hanging out with an old friend and watching a silly movie, then coming home and spending a few hours reading fiction and poking at the internet. Now I'm busying being annoyed at my finances and writing up answers! Soon I will be having dinner with my family, and later I might go out dancing at a goth club, or I might do some sorting and packing. Actually a pretty typical Saturday for this summer except I won't usually have my family around once I go back to San Diego.
My fiance sent me an early dvd rip of Coraline that he was given (pretty sure it's not been released yet, but I sometimes have a hard time keeping up) and I was wondering if anyone would like a copy of it?
I loved Coraline when I saw it in the theatres (in 3D! so awesome!), but I don't feel the need for a rip. Thanks, though!
Would you like any recycle/upcycle supplies for your crafting?
I like pretty pictures, photos, postcards, etc. [i also like things that could be made into jewelry -- keys, small old computer and engineering parts (resistors are pretty!), cool old buttons and such.]
***7/12***
Question...do you fret or take it personally when your witch or witchee gets too quiet? Like they figured you out and don't like you?
Not really. But I'm not super-talkative myself.
Do you try to figure out who your witch is? Do you want your witch to give you clues?
Not really? But it would be cool to get clues. Whatever works, though!
Who has a Kindle? If you do, would you like a Kindle gift card, Kindle accessories, etc. as a gift? Whadda you need?
I only wish.
What about other electronics (Blackberries, iPhone, etc.)? Do you need any accessories, etc. for those?
Again, I only wish. Those are not really affordable on a broke grad student's salary.
***7/8***
I've recently been listening to Rasputina's 'O Perilous World' album and am particularly enamored by '1816: the Year Without a Summer'. So I'd like to know if my witchee likes Rasputina, and would like any music by them?
I do like Rasputina, though I seem to like their covers album and seeing them live more than I like their other albums, but that's only based on Cabin Fever and The Lost & Found 2nd Edition, the two albums I own. It would be interesting to hear stuff off of albums besides those two, come to think of it.
***7/6***
What new scents from the update are calling your name?
Berry Moon, possibly Stinky and Whoso List To Hunt, Alice's Evidence, All in the Golden Afternoon, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Bat, Imperious Tiger-Lily, and Snooty Rose.
I have easy access to Asian candies, tropical fruits(mangosteen, mango, durian, jackfruit) flavored biscuits/chips/snacks, dried tropical fruits, Japanese/korean/taiwanese cosmetics brands and music/CDs. Is there anything you will like from Singapore or Asia in general?
I would be interested in folk music of all kinds and the KAO Asience line of hair products, and in red lipstick (on the dark side) for lightly tanned yellow-toned skin. The things I miss most about Asia is actually the fruit drinks -- not the thick kind, but the kind that are clearly meant to be like juice, only aren't really juice. Well, and good, fresh doujiang, but that's not shippable. I do also like a variety of asian snacks, especially salty snacks.
***7/3-5***
Do you play any musical instruments? Which ones? If not, are there any you'd like to learn? What styles of music do you play, and are you interested in learning any different styles?
I'm primarily a vocalist, but I play the piano, and I played the violin for a couple of years as a kid. I'd love to pick up the violin again, but really what I want is to learn to play the cello. I also have rudimentary experience playing the clarinet, recorder, guitar, xylophone, and erhu. Besides the cello, I would be psyched to pick up the guitar, drums, and guzheng (of these, I have access to the guzheng). Most of my musical education has been in strictly classical styles; I would indeed love to branch out.
Are you partial to any kind of comedy?
I guess? I like dry British humor, absurdity, satire, and comedy that's smart. The Simpsons, Monty Python, Eddie Izzard, Sports Night, and Wonderfalls are some specific examples.
What did you do for the 4th and/or the holiday weekend?
Mostly nothing, but I did go with a friend to see Up for the second time. It made me cry. Again.
Partials, samples, sniffies?
Er. Yes, please?
Have you read anything by China Mieville, Neil Gaiman or Charles de Lint? If so, what? Like/dislike...??
Gaiman, approximately in order of like: Sandman and Death: The High Cost of Living, American Gods, Anansi Boys, The Graveyard Book, Coraline, Neverwhere, Signal to Noise, The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, The Books of Magic. [i have somehow, inexplicably failed to read Stardust despite owning 2 different versions. I haven't seen the movie, either.] I have almost everything of his, the only things I think I'm on the lookout for are Blueberry Girl, Wolves in the Walls, Melinda, Odd and the Frost Giants, Don't Panic, the script version of Snow, Glass, Apples, M is for Magic, Interworld, A Screenplay, Shoggoth's Old Peculiar, Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?, Angela, and the audio drama of Signal to Noise.
The only China Mieville I've read is Un Lun Dun, and it was terrific. I've been meaning to read more but haven't yet. I think I have at least one of them kicking around somewhere from years ago, long before Un Lun Dun came out. Just never got around to reading it.
The only Charles de Lint book I've read is The Onion Girl. It was pretty good, but it hasn't really inspired me to pick up more. I'd be willing to read more, if it was shoved at me.
Other than books/cds/dvds are there any "things" that you collect or symbols which you have an affinity for?
Jewelry, to an extent. Quirky stuffed things. Bladed weaponry. As for symbols... Trees. Bears, because my last name means "bear" in Chinese. Chinese characters. Mountains, winter. Death, to an extent. The Moon. Music-related things, reading and writing related things.
Do you like musicals? What have you seen? What do you want to see? Any you'd like to own?
I do. I've seen a ton of musicals live if you count student productions (and a lot on video as well), but the only major professional productions I've seen are Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, Babes in Toyland, Chicago, Pacific Overtures, and Avenue Q. I would love to see professional productions of Into the Woods (my favorite), Wicked, Les Miserables, Jersey Boys, Working, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, The Lion King, 1776, Cabaret, Cats, Chess, Fiddler on the Roof, Hairspray, Ragtime, Sweeney Todd, She Loves Me, Assassins, and Spamalot. I'd like to own pretty much all of the ones in the "want to see" list, plus Avenue Q.
What are your thoughts on J.R.R. Tolkein?
I enjoyed the Hobbit but got stuck in Rivendell partway through Fellowship and I'm starting to suspect I'm never going to actually read them.
If you answered that you would like recipes, are there any national or ethnic cuisines you prefer or don't prefer?
Not really. I have mixed results with Korean food (it's always love-hate, never mediocre), but otherwise I pretty much like the whole range.
What's your favorite summer activity? Swimming!
Would you like a recipe booklet (homemade) for homemade smoothies and shakes? Yes, yes I would.
What's your favorite vacation spot?
I don't really have a favorite, because I tend to like going to places new to me rather than going back to ones I've already visited. Right now the top of my "return to" list: Rome, Maui, Hong Kong, Budapest, Banff.
Would you like anything nostalgic? Things you loved from their childhood or maybe things you've always loved that were from a time before your own?
Yes, quite possibly. Some random childhood things: My Little Ponies, Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Brite, Gummi Bears, Care Bears, Sesame Street, 3-2-1 Contact, Free to be you and me, Big Bird Goes to China, Berenstain Bears, Muppet Babies, Babysitters Club, All-of-a-kind-family, things relating to LM Montgomery books, the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace, Oz, Narnia, Beauty and the Beast, older Disney films, both animated and live-action, Adventures in Babysitting, Weird Science, Head of the Class... Probably a lot of other stuff. (I grew up in the 80s and early 90s, but had a slightly atypical relationship to pop culture because my parents are first generation immigrants. I was in Minnesota (in a suburb of the Twin Cities) all through my childhood and young adulthood.)
***7/2***
What styles of jewelry do you like? Bold and funky? Delicate and dainty? Short necklaces, long ones, chokers? Bracelets or anklets?
A variety, but I lean towards elegant and delicate -- I have a few larger pieces, but they're on the simple and elegant side rather than the "bold and funky" side. The exception is my fondness for weirdly shaped plastic items. I do tend to like large rings with square, diamond, or rectangular components. My favorite length of necklace is short, just barely not a choker. and I like chokers as well. I also think I want to experiment with really long necklaces, and also the length of necklace where the center (I prefer necklaces with a clear midpoint, usually marked by a pendant or larger piece) is right above my cleavage.
Does my witchee like hats, a floppy summer sun hat or something more stylish?
I do like hats, but I hardly ever wear them. I think the only type of hat that I'm currently in the market for is a top hat, preferably collapsible.
Would you like a hand knit cap or hat?
I would be very unlikely to wear it, primarily because I live in such hot climes.
What kind of shopper are you? Do you make a budget? Planner, or compulsive?
I tend to make both impulse purchases and obsessively researched purchases, depending on the item and my mood. I am bad at budgets, though I've been wanting to go in that direction.
Do you like to buy what's new, special offers, only the usual?
I generally buy things on sale, unless it's something I really need right now or it's something that almost never goes on sale in useful sizes or whatnot. I like to try new things, but I also like having a few staples.
***7/1***
Non-melting candies....what are your favorites?
Mentos, starburst, jolly ranchers, werther's, smarties, peppermints, lemon drops and the like, jelly belly, old fashioned candy sticks, honey sticks...
What are you happiest about (besides SW)? What makes you feel good this summer? Any summer?
Not being a grad school anymore. Having free time. Ice cream trucks. [i much prefer winter to summer in general.]
Do you like coffee and/or wine?
Yes, both. I especially like dessert wine.
What are your thought on World Market?
I love World Market!
If you are a dog lover, or gigantic dog nerd like I am, would you like any breed-related items from this site? If so, which breed(s)?
Not for me.
A witch wants to cheer you up. What are we cheering you up from? In other words, what are the most pressing problems you're facing right now?
Being super-broke and unemployed, plus being stressed out about packing and moving. But job hunting is definitely be key problem.
Who out there is equally challenged and would appreciate icons/banners as witchy gifts? Sure!
Lip balm? I like lip balm, though I like tubes more than I like jars.
What's that one thing you keep meaning to get but keep forgetting or passing over?
The Absolute Sandman series. I have all the old graphic novels, but the Absolutes look really awesome and would be fun to have. It's just hard to convince myself I need them.
***6/30***
Have you any desire to read Hannibal? Nope.
If your witch goes to Convergence (or is bestest friends with someone, same thing), is there anything you'd love to have?
Probably only the Convergence exclusive, if that ends up being something appealing.
Are you freaking out over any of the discontinued scents, dear fellow Witches? Nope, although I have a sneaking suspicion that I may fall in love with Succubus once I try it.
For those candy loving witchees. Are there any 3 that u love and would like more of?
Of the regular American mass-market candies: anything Reese's (especially the big things because they have the highest peanut butter to chocolate ratio),
peanut butter or almond M&Ms (especially dark chocolate), Hershey's milk chocolate with almonds. I also like Milk Duds. (I generally prefer high quality chocolate to any of this, but these are the ones I do eat and love.)
And, are there any 3 that u just cannot stand and would not like any of?
3 Musketeers, black licorice, Rolos.
Do you have an electric stove, and would you like a bowl and tarts to use the residual heat (and for extra safety)?
I do have an electric stove, and sure, that would be neat.
What is your favorite classic fairy tale or children's story?
I have to have a favorite? Fairy Tale: probably Beauty and the Beast for the brave, proactive protagonist. I like Mulan for this, too, though the original poem (which is the version I love most) wasn't necessarily for children. I also like darker versions of Cinderella (and darker versions in general). Children's story... this is much hard to pick a favorite in. Alice in Wonderland, Emily of New Moon by LM Montgomery, Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace, The Secret Garden and A Little Princes by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the Oz books by L. Frank Baum, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, everything by Diana Wynne Jones (but for children (rather than young adults), especially the Chrestomanci books, Tale of Time City, Power of Three, and The Homeward Bounders), All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor, The Enchanted Castle and Five Children and It by E. Nesbit, Little Women and Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott, So You Want to be a Wizard by Diane Duane, The Fairy Rebel by Lynne Reid Banks, and Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede.
What of the summer update (Egyptian, Lawn Ornaments, etc.) appeals most to you?[/b] Feast for the Greatly Revered Ones and Spinning Multicolored Metallic Pinwheel, possibly Labores Solis and Lawn Gnome.
With all this talk of chocolate, do you prefer milk or dark? Dark is my favorite, but milk is good for some things, as is white.
***6/29***
Do you like coconut? Sure.
.
Puddin' posts ebay sales of older stuff every now and then - what of the current lot are you dying for? Alas, I missed it.
Do you tweet? I have a twitter, but I don't really tweet.
What kind of mythology are you interested in? In vaguely decreasing order: Greek, Chinese, Norse, Egyptian, Hindu, Japanese... pretty much all kinds. Something new would also be awesome.
***6/28***
Which flavors are you interested to try from the Chocolate Research Facility?
Pretty much all of the Spring/Summer '09 series, but especially Cardamom with Almond, Peppermint with Mint Flake, and Rose with Rose Petal. Everything in the Exotic series but French Vanilla, Strawberry Yogurt, and Cheese; especially anything involving sesame. Everything in the double fruit series, especially Longan with Pumpkin Seed, but in general these are lower priority than the other categories. Everything in the nut series, but especially almond with almond nib (my nut hierarchy for being paired with chocolate: almond, hazelnut, macademia, pistachio, pecan, walnut, cashew. Everything in the fruit series, especially lychee and blueberry. Very much yes to everything in both the alcohol tea, and coffee series.
Do you wear makeup or nail polish? Need brushes, containers, storage, mani/pedi supplies? What colors and brands do you like?
Not really. I do own a lot of makeup -- most of it Mac but also some brands that Sephora carries -- that would want a container/storage, though.
Do you like shiney hanging porch decorations like windchimes or those things that spin and swirl in the wind? Sure!
Hair adornments?
So much yes! I love hair sticks and related toys, plus pretty pins (mostly for decorating buns), smallish snap clips (for holding flyaways when I have my hair up), hair combs (for pulling back hair from my face while leaving the rest loose), and the kind of large jaw clips with the sort of triangular shape (I have a lot of hair, it needs room to sit; an example here: http://www.scunci.com/product_detail.aspx?...d=78&lp=13). I also like clever/new/weird hair tools and decorations.
Is there any infomercial product you're dying to try even though you know it probably sucks?
I didn't know (except for basic kitchen things like a juicer or chopper or dehydrator, all of which would be cool), so I went looking around a little. In order of most interesting to least, the "Cleavage Control Clip," "Entertainment Coupons" (The Entertainment Book for Austin, TX), "Blendy Pen," "Smart Spin Storage," "Clever Clasp" for jewelry, and "Hercules Hook" all look potentially fun or useful.
What are your favorite websites (besides this one, and the online shops you listed in your questionnaire)?
Hmm. Livejournal? There are some pretty good webcomics out there as well -- I don't read them regularly, but I do like them. Wikipedia's pretty useful too, despite it's irritations. And, of course, Google and Google Maps. Oh! And I'm very fond of opentable.com's online reservation system. Chowhound's pretty neat, too.
We have so many talented witches and they really need to promote themselvesI more so, if you made something by hand for a previous witchee or have an etsy store or some other outlet for hand made goods, will you post it here with pictures or links? Or, if you want to brag on a previous witch's talent, this is the place for that as well.
My previous (and first ever!) witch, Somnambular, makes really nifty, slightly steampunky jewelry, primarily necklaces and earrings.
Photos of things I'm now the proud owner of: http://www.bpal.org/index.php?autocom=gall...m&album=520
Her etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5233834
I also really loved the handmade bpal boxes she sent me, but I don't have pictures yet.
If you could make your perfect scent (or at least most desired at the moment!) what would be in it?
Xi Shi: osmanthus, lychee, cherry, cherry blossom, apple blossom, plum blossom, moon-shimmered mist, champagne, and just the lightest breath of sandalwood fan.
paired with:
Taiyang: osmanthus, pear, peach, peach blossom, chrysanthemum, amber, sandalwood incense, Lao Li (ancient Chinese ritual beer made of rice, honey, grapes, and hawthorn fruit), and delicate curls of gold from the gilded wings of a sunbird.
So I have a question for the witchees, and hopefully mine will answer as well...In trying to decide what to fix for dinner, I thought that I've received some great recipes from friends (particularly the culinary mastermind that is scotchgrrl). I also have a few great recipes of my own. So would anyone like to receive some original, or very much loved recipes from his/her witch?
I would adore recipes!
List things you DO NOT need any more of:
At the moment, anything heavy and/or bulky and/or difficult to pack, as I'll be moving very soon. Mascara, foundation.
***6/27***
Is there something that would offend you if you received it in your mail/gift/email)? (as in profanity, a bad words in an email/card/music ... or a card or something with a scantily dressed man/woman pictured on it, crude/immature humor tshirts, etc ...) Nope!
What do you like to snack on? Wow, huge question. Roasted nuts and sunflower seeds, trail mix (especially the kinds that include dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate), Sun Chips, Cheetos, white cheddar Pirate's Booty and Smart Puffs, 94% fat free microwave popcorn, high-quality chocolate, chocolate-covered nuts, fruit, raw veggies (especially carrots), hummus, cheese & crackers, popsicles, ice cream and/or frozen yogurt and/or gelato, baked goods in general...
What is the color scheme you use most when you decorate?
I don't really have one. Black and red is a common one for me, as is shades of blues and sometimes also purples. I would consider things dark green or wine colored. I also like dark woods.
If you have music or DVD's on your wishlist, do you mind getting a burned copy? How about if it is original packaging but previously used? Or do you only want it new? That's fine; I prefer mix cds for burned music and used copies for DVDs, but really anything's fine.
Who is your favorite artist? What are some of your favorite pieces of their work?
I don't really have a favorite artist (I like many different types of art), but I've always liked Arthur Rackham (all his Arthurian legend stuff, a lot of the Alice in Wonderland stuff and Fairy Tales stuff, Titania Sleeping, Freya the Fair, Twilight of the Gods, Brunhilde, Feeling Very Undancey, Enter the Two Brothers, The Old Woman in the Wood...); I'm not so much into the fairy ones unless they're pretty dark and/or creepy) and Mucha (for example, Les Saisons 1990, Seasons 1896, Les Saisons (the one with long hair even more amazing than 1896) Music, Dance, Reverie du Soir/Evening, Repos de la Nuit/Night's rest, Stars, Zodiac, Lorenzaccio, Laurel, Fruit, the Slav Epic, the Lottery of National Unity, the Zdenka Cerny cello concert poster, and Meditation; I tend to prefer the less cluttered, more graceful and elegant pieces, and subtle (but not washed-out) neutral-ish colors and blue-range palettes, though there are always exceptions -- I do really like some of the more intense coloration better, it all just depends on the specific colors and comos; note also I tend to prefer darker-toned to lighter-toned.).
[For example, from these four Seasons, my preferences best to less good:
http://www.art.com/products/p10278198-sa-i...aisons-1900.htm
http://www.art.com/products/p13200468-sa-i...our-seasons.htm
http://www.art.com/products/p10310465-sa-i...les-saisons.htm
http://www.art.com/products/p12903632-sa-i...easons-1896.htm]
Are you a candles person, incense person, or just a BPTP spritzer for room scents?
Candles a little more than incense, though I do like both. I like the BPTP room sprays but have enough for years at this point.
What is your favorite latin or faux latiny phrase?
Probably deus ex machina -- so fun to say, and so very useful for any writer or person who wants to talk about books.
***6/26***
How are you doing for BPAL storage? Need any boxes?
I am always in need of boxes.
Is there any place you've visited where you feel like you left your heart there?
Oh, tons. Venice, Rome, Budapest, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Seattle, New York, Chicago, Banff, the Grand Canyon, Itasca State Park (the headwaters of the Mississippi), Acadia National Park in Maine, Hawaii, and Vermont. (This doesn't include the places I've lived or am planning to move to -- Minneapolis/St. Paul, Boston, the Bay Area, San Diego, and Austin.)
What one item would you just love to have that is made by a Switch Witch? The answer is always jewelry. But food/drink is very close behind!
Is your abode a palace covered in fur, a disaster area ,or a neat freaks delight? A disaster area.
Are there any phobias you have that you absolutely, positively, do NOT want anything from your witch referencing? Nope, not that I can think of.
Are you a good witch or a bad witch? Both! The answer is always both.
What kind of a car do you drive and would you want something you could use in your car? Rear view mirror charms, steering wheel covers (a new thinkg for the knitters ), car blessing medicine bags
I do not have a car, but I'm planning on getting one soonish. I would be interested in rearview mirror charms and car blessing medicine bags for that eventuality.
Do you want to know when you have something coming in the mail, or would you rather it be a complete surprise? Either is fine!
What is your mailbox situation?
My housemate and I live in a condo complex, so there's a small mailbox in a big wall with all the others; small packages (about the size of the small priority mail boxes the lab tends to use) fit in there, but everything bigger tends to get delivered to our door.
***6/25***
Are you interested in Tarot or Tarot art?
I am mildly interested in Tarot itself and very interested in various Tarot art. I only one deck, the Haindl Tarot, and the two books that go with it by Rachel Pollack. I would be up for expanding my Tarot horizons.
What would you think of soap samples/shampoo bar samples? (I believe the latter can be used as soap if you are not shampoo bar inclined). Or other sample sized bath/beauty products, for that matter?
I am very much not interested in shampoo bars, but I am conversely very interested in soap bars! In general, I am up for sample-sized bath/beauty products. I like trying things!
What about burnables as in candles, tarts and/or incense?
I like them, though I don't actually use them super-often. But maybe if I had more I'd use them more, I don't know.
Who knits? Do you also spin and dye? What supplies, that you wouldn't buy for yourself, would you just love to have for that activity? I do not.
Do you like coffee? Whole bean or ground? Bold/Medium/Mild roast?
I do! Any of those are fine, it's the other aspects that matter more.
So you have enough socks and wraps... (shush, VCW!) Are there any other knitted goods you might like? Lap blanket? Fingerless gloves? Arm warmers? Little knitted animals? Silk scarf? Head band? Wrist cuff? Dish clothes?
Lap blanket, very much yes. Fingerless gloves, yes, but preferably in extremely light weight, and same with the arm warmers -- note that my forearms, while not super-thick, are also not super-thin. Dish cloth, yes, silk scarf, yes; head band, wrist cuff, no. Of these, little knitted animals (and the lap blanket) and the things that makes me most go "oooooh."
***6/24***
Are you obsessed with honey? If so, is there a particular kind you like best? Spun honey, flavored honeys, certain types of honey....etc.
I don't know about obsessed, exactly, but I really love it, pretty much all kinds. I'm a fan of creamed honey (aka spun honey, I believe), I like some flavored honeys (rosemary and lavender are favorites, and I expect other herbs might also be good), and in general, the darker and more strongly-flavored, the better -- for example, I like Trader Joe's 100% Desert Mesquite Honey.
What are your favorite materials? Or material things? Some people like jewelry, some like woods, some plants...
Silk, dark wood, fine soft cotton, steel, silver, 24k gold, porcelain, glass. Also all sorts of stones, gems, and minerals, among them most of the jewelry types -- agate, onyx, lapis lazuli, garnet, jade, hematite, obsidian, black pearl, black opal, mother of pearl, jasper, malachite, turquoise, tigers-eye, marcasite, dark amethyst, corundums and beryls -- though I also just like cool-looking rocks. Copper's pretty neat, too, except for turning my skin green. I also like paper, paper is awesome.
Is there anything you've been wanting to learn that your witch might be able to help you with?
See the question about musical instruments. Also, graphic design, more cooking, maybe knitting (as mentioned above), vidding, and I'd like to get back into art, mostly drawing, calligraphy, and possibly painting, oh, and maybe origami and papercraft..
Posters, yes or no?
Yes!
What are your favorite animals? Or, what animals resonate strongly with you?
Bears and big cats. I also like pandas, penguins, and birds of prey. Also, among dogs, Westies and black labs are my favorites.
Are there any historical figures you are particularly interested in - say, that you'd enjoy reading about, or movies, etc.?
Qiu Jin, Lady Hao, Empress Wu, Yu Xuanji, Ban Zhao, Zhuangzi, Gao Yaojie. Queen Himiko. Herodotus, Thucydides, Alcibiades, Socrates, Plato, Pericles, Aristophanes. Meyer Lansky, and possibly other mafia-related figures. Jane Austen. Clara Schumann, Frederic Chopin, Bartok, Dvorak, Sibilius, Stravinsky, Beethovan... really most romantic-era composers and turn of the century/early 20th century Russian greats have the potential to be interesting, depending on the quality of the storytelling. I like modern music history too -- rock, blues, folk, etc. Most female rulers, including Eleanor of Aquitaine, Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, and both Elizabeths, as well as Cleopatra, Nefertiti, and the like. Mary Magdalene. Eleanor and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Isadora Duncan. Bettie Page, Marilyn Monroe, and Jackie-O. Most female writers, come to think of it, including all the ones in my book lists. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and other early feminists. Donaldina Cameron. And probably others...
What, if anything, are you earwormed with right now?
"Don't fall in love with me yet/we only recently me/true I'm in love with you but/you might decide I'm a nut/give me a week or two to/go absolutely cuckoo/then when you see your error/then you can flee in terror/like everybody else does/I only tell you this 'cause/I'm easy to get rid of/but not if you fall in love/know now that I'm on the make/and if you make a mistake/my heart will certainly break/I'll have to jump in a lake/and all my friends will blame you/there's no telling what they'll do/it's only fair to tell you/I'm absolutely cuckoo." Sometimes Magnetic Fields songs are insanely catchy.
What scent are you wearing right now, if any?
Chaos Theory V: recursive self-similarity v4: snake oil series: CCCXXXIV
***6/23***
Anyone reading an amazing book right now?
Actually, yes -- The Dragons of Babel by Michael Swanwick. I'm not very far into it yet, but so far, it's fascinating.
What socially respsonsible site would you recommend to ALL Witches? sHeifer International, perhaps.
What is your favorite anime, or if you don't like that what is your favorite animated series? Do you like villians that are funny because they are meant to be, or are you like me and love the villian that just can't seem to get his evil schemes to work?
Whisper of the Heart. (I'm also fond of Kino's Journey, Here is Greenwood, Escaflowne, and most Studio Ghibli, among others.) I actually like morally grey, sympathetic, smart villains (and heroes for that matter) the best, but funny and bumbling villains (poor Wile E. Coyote!) can also be entertaining.
Tea. How do you feel about it? I like tea!
would my future witchee like to receive steampunk style jewelry? So. Much. YES.
Does your feline like catnip? I don't have one.
Salt soap bars (soap made with a large quantity of salt, like salt-scrub-in-a-bar)? Sure, could be neat.
How would you feel about homemade jelly/jam from home-grown berries? I really love jam, so this would be amazing.
Homemade dill pickles? Made from cukes, beans, snap peas, baby zucchini? Ooh, yum. I like cukes the best, but any of those would be fine.
***6/22***
Based on Prior Carnivale act prototypes...which one are you truly excited about? Alley of Games! And possibly The Sword Swallower.
Would it bother you if you are not the first person to receive the same gift? Imagine a Witch who always sends her favourite book, for example.
Nope, that would be fine.
Pets: What do you have, and do they need/want anything? I have no pets.
Does anyone play video games? What platform(s)? Are there any new or vintage games you would like?
Some, though not so much recently. I've got a PS2, and I've been thinking about getting a Wii sooner or later (I'd kind of like to get a Fit) and possibly an Xbox 360, but who knows when that will happen. I've got a Mac laptops (running 10.5.6) and could run games on it as well; I also have access to a Nintendo 64. The current game I'm most interested in is Ico. As for classic games, I really love all the Monkey Island games, plus Mario Kart and Street Fighter and that sort of game. Also, Worms. And I miss Sim City and The Sims from when I was a kid a lot, also... Frogger. And Zork/Dungeon and Rogue/Hack/NetHack, perhaps. And I always meant to try Civilization. But really, I'd be up for trying most games that you think are worth playing.
Twilight fans, would you be interested in any products from this Etsy seller? If so, add the items you like to your Etsy favorites and make sure your wishlist is posted somewhere for your witch. Not for me.
Are you in need of decanting supplies, wand caps, or other scent-related paraphernalia?
YES! I'd love to get into decanting, so a start kit would be awesome. Also, wand caps for the Lab's bottles.
***6/20-21***
Are there any single notes (likely non bpal) that anyone is dying to have/try?
Not particularly? Osmanthus, perhaps, or lychee, or champagne, or cherry blossom.
net flick or the likes gift subscriptions? A month of Netflicks vs a DvD?
I have Netflix, and more would always be nice. Either of those would be great.
Any non NZ or Aus witchee that I get gets Tim Tams, OK? Very, very okay. Tim Tams are delicious, and hard to get here.
New (or added to), 7/20/09:
***7/15***
Who knows about wizard rock and wants more? Who doesn't know but wants to?[/b}
I've heard of wizard rock but haven't heard much and don't own any. I would be happy to hear more.
What's the wallpaper/screensaver on your computer?
Just a view of Earth from space with starry night sky, one of the default backgrounds that came with my computer.
Do you like Sugar Ray (the band not the boxer)? Not really.
***7/14***
Would you be interested in receiving some pasties from your witch?
Actually, yes, that would be neat. It would need to be 3" minimum diameter; 3.5" might be safer. [i would also be in favor of meat pasties, yum.]
How did you get your forum name?
http://www.bpal.org/index.php?s=&showt...t&p=1505725
Anything from the trunk show?
... whoops. Guess I should've answered this earlier. Nothing struck me as "must have," though the Aphrodite prototypes are tempting, as are the ones of TKO and Hua Mulan. Mostly I don't know what some of those vintage scents are supposed to be like and I don't have time to research right now. Anything that seems like it would appeal to me based on notes and such, perhaps.
[b[Anything from the newest ebay listing?
Nothing offhand, though again, this is a matter of not really know about many of them.
"If I could be I would be ____________ for a day." Fill in the blank.
Filthy rich; I would pay off so many loans and do the charity thing and give piles of it to my family and invest the rest to play with later.
***7/13***
What are your favorite types of baked goods? How would you feel about candied citrus peel, chocolate-covered or not? Would you be interested in the mix version of the baked goods or perhaps a spice mix, something along those lines?
All of those sound awesome. I like most baked goods, but off the top of my head, some favorites: really peanut buttery peanut butter cookies, carrot cake, gingerbread, bete noir and flourless chocolate cake in general -- darkest chocolate possible, almond cake and cookies and biscotti and croissants, mint chocolate cookies, poppy seed hamantaschen, blueberry muffins and tarts, anything with black sesame. But really, pretty much all baked goods.
Have you found any new loves since the beginning of the round that you wished you'd known to include on your questionnaire?
Not that I can think of.
Questions not (yet) on the list, but discussed in the thread:
So what is everyone else lusting over from the ComicCon CBLDF Lines?
WKAP sounds like it's going to be too foody for me (which is too bad, because I love the Dresden Dolls -- I have all the music and I have at least one of the DVDs, but I would love more stickers/buttons/books), but I'm hoping the booth has imps like they did for the Gaiman scents in '07. Basically, if I want any, I'm hopefully going to just pick them up myself. (If they run out of something I want before I can snag it -- like Sunbird -- I'll add it to my wishlist.)
All you lovely witches out there, are u planning on revealing to your witchees?
Probably, yes. Possibly accidentally. /o\
Do you have a favorite insect, like a ladybug or dragonfly? Do butterflies or praying mantis creep you out?
I like spiders a lot, but also things in the ladybug-dragonfly-butterfly, as well as scarabs. Preying mantises, grasshoppers, crickets, and bees are also pretty cool. I'm not a huge fan of millipede-type things, ticks, lice, aphids, flies, mosquitos, or cockroaches.
Summer Blockbusters? Not really interested in any of those.
Horror movies? Not for me. I would be interested in especially good (28 Days Later -- loved, Alien -- pretty good, Silence of the Lambs -- have been meaning to see) or particularly funny (Shaun of the Dead = awesome) thriller/horror movies, but in general it's just not my genre. I was just too much of a scaredy-cat when was a kid (seriously, Labyrinth, Ghostbusters, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom all scared the ever-loving shit out of me when I was about 8). I'm trying to catch up now that I can handle it, but slowly. I do tend to like urban fantasy stuff (including vampires, were-animals, fae, ghosts, demons, etc), and I like some aspects of paranormal-type things as well. So... it depends.
With Harry Potter mania about to burst in the US again with the release of the new movie, how many HP fans do we have here? And would you like HP related stuff?
I do like the HP books though I'm not a canonical fan, as it were. I would probably enjoy HP-themed stuff of various kinds, though preferably either elegant or cute, not garish or tacky. For example, these:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15076063
are pretty neat, but if it for me, I would prefer them to be less... fringey/tasselly, if that makes sense.
House-wise, I am so Ravenclaw it hurts. But in the good way. The Ravenclaw colors are nice as long as the bronze is really bronze. I also have a fondness for Slytherin, and love their colors.
So tell me my darling Switch Witches (whom I adore)...what puts you in a Sassy I am woman/man hear me roar mood? is it a scent? piece of Jewelry? Article of Clothing? Song? IS there something that just makes you feel...ON!?
Stompy boots (preferably my beat-up, old, woefully discontinued Docs), swishy-but-body-conscious skirt (broomstick skirts = bad (alas), flippy/flared at the knees or fishtaily at the ankle = yay) -- I used to have this amazing stretch black velvet skirt with a line of sleek, barely-there, almost-ruffle just below the knee that was amazing, kickass top -- again, body-conscious, something that emphasizes the hourglassiness of my figure (stretchy "babydoll" style tees = yes, a lot of the standard, cheaper "women's" t-shirts = no (grr)). Awesome dangly earrings often give me a little boost, and I used to have this gold pendant my grandmother gave me that I seem to have failed to unpack the last time I moved. Also, my hair being in a good mood. Music will sometimes help, too. "Barracuda" by Heart, "When the Levee Breaks" (and actually most of IV) by Led Zeppelin, "Kill All Your Friends" (and several other songs -- "House of Wolves," "Teenagers," "Give 'Em Hell, Kid," "Thank You For the Venom," etc) by My Chemical Romance, most of War by U2 as well as some Achtung Baby, Joshua Tree, Rattle & Hum, Facelift by Alice in Chains, The $5.98 EP: Garage Days Re-Revisited by Metallica (well, that bit of Garage Inc. now, but I have a cassette from high school kicking around somewhere), some songs off Siamese Dream by the Smashing Pumpkins, "Good Day" by the Dresden Dolls, "King of Nothing" by Ghost of an American Airman, a handful of Nirvana songs, "Wishing Well" (actually most of that album) by The Airborne Toxic Event), sometimes Cake's Fashion Nugget or a handful of Violent Femmes songs, to an extent "Guilty Pleasure" by Cobra Starship and a handful of Midtown songs, "When Eagles Dare" by The Misfits, Love, Life, and Leaving by The Detroit Cobras, Neptune by The Duke Spirit, "Me & Dorothy Parker" by The Flash Girls, "She's a Rebel" by Green Day, "Sometimes" and "Laid" by James, somewhat ironically "Hallelujah" as sung by Jeff Buckley and "The Golden Age" by Beck, "Black Cat" by Ladytron, "The Age of Understatement" by The Last Shadow Puppets, "I Want You to Want Me" by Cheap Trick (and Letters to Cleo), Snapline's album Party is Over, Pornostar, and a handful of PK 14's stuff, "Goddess on a Hiway" by Mercury Rev, "Starlight" by Muse (and most of that album), "Ophelia" by Natalie Merchant, "God's Gonna Cut You Down" by Johnny Cash, "Jack the Ripper" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, "For Real" by Okkervil River as well as most of The Stage Names, Horses by Patti Smith, "Tenement Teeth" by Pela, several songs off Doolittle by the Pixies, "Down by the Water" and "Send His Love To Me" by PJ Harvey, "Bastards of Young" and "Alex Chilton" by The Replacements, Surprise Attacks by Ribbons, "Rich Woman" by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, "Lioness" by Songs: Ohia, "Gun Street Girl" by Tom Waits, "Black Soul Choir" by Sixteen Horsepower, Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos, "Iowa" by Dar Williams, "Rags & Bones," and "This Girl Is Taking Bets" by Thea Gilmore, the War Tapes EP, "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes, "Adore Adore" and "Wake Up" by Yoav... basically everything I have around that kicks ass, rocks out, or in some cases just hits me deep in a particular way. [sorry for the length, I tend to get carried away with lists...]
Would you rather received music burned onto a cd in audio format OR a thumb drive with songs in mp3 (or you specify which) format?: Either cd or thumbdrive is fine, though right now I seem to have misplaced my cd/dvd drive, so thumbdrive would be a touch more convenient. But it has to be around here somewhere. Mp3 is fine, though I tend towards mp4/AAC more.
Lollyphile-wise (http://www.lollyphile.com/), the White Russian lollipops are the only ones that really appeal to me.
ETA 1/30/10: I would LOVE to try most of the Warrior Queens because I missed that inquest. I'm especially interested in Jingu and Tomoe Gozen, but also Hua Mulan, Semiramis, and just the perfume for Ysabel. I also completely missed everything during Yule 2009 and the most recent Anniversary and would likely love to try some of that (and would adore the Naughty/Nice tees in XL; for Inquisition scents I'm particularly interested in Playing with a Loaded Gun (I know, I know) and Comforting Plush Companion, and possibly Overprotective Possessed Talking Doll and Very Slightly Haunted Dollhouse). I was also really sad that I missed this past Peach Moon, and would be interested in Berry Moon, Strawberry Moon, and Flower Moon as well.
ETA 9/8/10: I really really want to try stuff from the Atomic Luau Lounge and also most of the new GC honeys.
ETA 9/11/10: Adding to list: Citadel of Awesome atm spray, decant of Sara Pezzini, The Volstead Act (decant or bottle), decant of Sky City (Before), decant of Iron Parasol v1, Geek.Goth (bottle or decant), Gothabilly (decant or partial), Loli.Goth (decant or partial), Victoriana.Goth (decant or partial). Oh, and Bathtub Gin (decant or bottle)!
I haven't had time to put together a really thorough wishlist yet, but here's a list of stuff that has sort of randomly come up so far in my BPAL endeavors:
imps/decants to try:
(GC):
oneiroi
(LE):
needle in a haystack
screaming mandragora
anaconda
i married a vampire from planet x
diary of a lovestruck teenage cannibal
freakshow
fairy wine
fairy market
monsterbait: tokyo stomp
the ghost
ouija
scorpio
egg nog latte
black lace (original)
storyville
ho ho ho
punkie night
hod
la primavera
orange
bottles:
pumpkin queen
pumpkin II '08
pumpkin III '08
the witching time of night
Carnaval Diabolique:
probably:
the maltese cross of sanctus germanus: blood orange-amber incense, lilac-y floral
western diamondback: spicy smooth creamy leather sage vanilla mellow snake oil
maybe:
l'heure verte: complex absinthe and rose, bit of lilac, opium
death adder: smoky vanilla, dark coconut, spicy sweet gritty vetiver
the blood garden: fruity dark wine, leather, incense, clove
temple viper: resin and snake oil, sweet and smoke
marcilla: light floral, lily-lilac nectarine beeswax complex, confused
marianne: fruity-floral red musk and patchouli
probably not, but weirdly tempting:
arachnina: red musk, strong dark floral, slightly fruity, patchouli, poppy
eshe: delicate, dry, dusty herbal floral, light jasmine base
stormclouds over the midway: heavy dark rain incense ozone opium
knucklebones: lime gin tobacco incense masculine v confused reviews
parthenope: mossy aquatic musky jasmine-honeysuckle
bezoar: golden wood, warm and round
faeu boulanger: green swampy violet, bit of mint, watery
the grand inquisitor's heretic's fork: burnt wood and vetiver
hand of glory: creepy smoky incensey leather and beeswax
shrunken heads: woodsy damp fern deep green leather
Sorry about the delay! It's been kind of crazy.
Unfiltered wishlists help witches get a taste of what you like regardless of price-point. I always put disclaimers on my questionnaire to that effect, basically saying that I included EVERYTHING on there, from $3 to $30,000, but only was expecting things in the $3 league.
I feel I should perhaps note here that I'm answering questions pretty much just as I wouldn't without the switch witch framework, so plenty of the stuff listed is stuff I would never in a million years expect as a gift, from anyone, much less from a gift exchange like this. It's just a glimpse into my crazy mind, really.
So for all witches of the shimmying types - would you like tassel belts/jingle belts/ ect and if so, how big are your hips?
I would indeed; I wear size 16/18 currently.
How do you like your chocolate? White, milk, bittersweet, as dark as possible? Plain, with flavoring, with chunks of stuff in? Fairly traditional, or weird and experimental?
To a great extent, I like pretty much all decent-to-high quality chocolate. But my preference tends to be for as dark as possible, though I do like to have white, milk, and bittersweet sometimes, too, for variety. If it's plain, it probably wants to be very high quality (though I still have a bit of soft spot for Hershey's Special Dark from my childhood), and hopefully interesting in some way (single origin, etc). I like flavoring, and I like chunks of things. I <i>love</i> nuts (especially almonds, but also hazelnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, peanuts, cashews, etc). I like fruits. I like other stuff (sea salt, toffee, etc). Traditional can be good (my favorite milk chocolate is Cadbury's fruit and nut bar, hard to get more traditional than that), but I am definitely attracted to the weird and experimental. And yes, I've had the Vosges bar with bacon in it. I've had the enchanted mushroom one, too. They were both pretty good, but I still prefer the Barcelona.
What is the weirdest and/or most practical thing you are not buying for yourself right now? [Addendum]
Actually! I just realized the true answer to this question: small hand weights. I used to have a set of nice comfy rubber-coated ones, but I left them behind a couple of moves ago.
Question for the Class: Favorite Musical? On stage or on film? Comedy or drama?
Hmmmm. Probably Into the Woods for stage, with Chicago as the runner-up. And Guys and Dolls for film (young Marlon Brando, yum), probably 1776 as the runner up. But I like a ton of musicals, really. I will try not to give in to the temptation to list them all.
On the same note...do you like Shakespeare? Which plays?
Hells yes. I tend to be a comedy girl -- Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, A Midsummer's Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, oh, most of them, really. For the dramas, I do like Hamlet and Macbeth a lot; Romeo and Juliet strictly as the play tends to annoy me, though I did like the Baz Luhrman version and I just always have a soft spot for Mercutio.
Though, at least as much as Shakespeare itself, I like Shakespeare redone. The Kurosawas (Ran = King Lear, Throne of Blood = Macbeth), 10 Things I Hate About You, updated versions, etc.
Anyone into physical activities? For instance- I'm training to become a Combat Archer in the SCA, and something I would use would be an Archers glove...is there anything you do as a sport/hobby in which you might need equipment?
I've been meaning to get back into yoga and pilates, though I don't think I'm wanting for yoga equipment. Maybe pilates. I also dance some, so dance shoes of various types are always fun; right now I'm especially in the market for ones that feel almost like dancing barefoot, but protect the ball of the foot. And I do some taichi -- a taichi sword or fan or other prop would be awesome, or shoes or silks or anything along those lines, really.
Who's your favorite playwright? Play?
I'm not sure I have a favorite playwright. Maybe Tom Stoppard. Or Aristophanes. Favorite play: Samuel Beckett's <i>En attendant Godot</i>.
Have you (or maybe the younguns in your family) been exposed to the Webkinz craze? Nope
Are you particularly lusting after any specific BPAL, hard to find treat, book, or music at the moment?
Ahahaha, always. Champagne and Roses and Egg Nog Latte were both calling to me, and Ho Ho Ho and Champagne, Chocolate, and Cheap Sex both sound yummy, too. And I'm still kicking myself for not putting in Inquisitions for Bah and Humbug. Hard to find treat: chrysanthemum tea with rock sugar, the way restaurants serve it in China. Book: The Absolute Sandman volumes. Music: Heart and Soul, the Joy Division box set.
Alright witches, who is ordering the Moon of the Terrible oil? Me!
Any favorite cartoon characters? Disney, Sanrio, etc?
Er. I like the flat panda, I have no idea what it's called. I'm pretty fond of Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters. I think Maleficent is pretty cool, Disney-wise. I like Pixar stuff, in general. I like Winnie the Pooh (Eeyore is my favorite) and Care Bears (Grumpy especially!). Oh, and some nostalgia for Rainbow Brite, Strawberry Shortcake,
What's your favorite texture? Wood polished to a silky sheen.
If you are a fan, who were your favorite Buffy and Angel characters?
Not the hugest fan (I haven't seen tons of the eps), but I enjoyed them. Tara, Oz, Giles, and Spike on Buffy; Lindsey, Wesley... and Angel and Cordelia, oddly enough.
What's one luxury item you want to pamper yourself with but haven't yet?
A good digital SLR camera. Or a spa weekend sort of thing.
Do you prefer arm warmers to the wrist, to the base of the fingers, or half fingered?
Base of fingers is safest, half-fingered if it's thin enough. Though I just got some for Christmas! They're thick ones, though -- thinner ones would still be quite useful.
Does your forum name have a special significance? Refer to something or someone you admire? Reflect your interests? Come on, spill!
Jen = the first part of my given name. Callisto is from Greek mythology. Quoting from my lj profile: "an arcadian girl changed into a bear and placed in the heavens as ursa major." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callisto_(mythology)
are there any rare (or even uber-rare) scents that you'd really like to try? I want to know everyone's BPAL holy grail!
I haven't been around long enough to develop a true holy grail, I don't think. Off the top of my head, I'd say maybe Black Lace or Storyville?
What would your reaction be to receiving something like this? A Batsirani doll.
Seems pretty neat.
www.jewelryarte.com If you want to see pieces I especially covet, see my LJ or facebook. So, in the spirit of such things, what is one REALLY expensive, completely outrageous thing you would LOVE to get but totally don't expect to ever get from anyone?
[Ooh, the summer tears and summer sails earrings on that site are especially gorgeous.]
A custom corset, the kind so well-made and well-fitted that one can sing opera while wearing one -- http://www.other-woman.com/
Or, well. A year of really amazing globetrotting vacation.
Do you like coffee mugs? Travel or stay at home? How big? Do you like ones from Starbucks?
Sure? Stay at home, mostly, though either is fine. Big! I guess? Actually, really big stay at home ones would be kind of awesome.
If you drink coffee, do you like whole bean coffee or prefer ground? What grind? What roast (mild, medium, bold, extra bold)? Do you like flavored coffee?
I don't make much at home myself, though I might aim to change that soon. I tend to like dark french roasts, but also medium roasts sometimes, depending on my mood. I... sometimes like flavored coffee. But I tend to prefer espresso drinks flavored with shots of syrup to pre-flavored coffee.
Do you like tea? What kinds of tea (green, red, white, black, decaf, herbal infusions)? Feel free to get specific on brands and tea types. Loose or bagged? Do you need any kind of tea accessories? Pots/cozys/presses/strainers?
Yes! All kinds! And I could use any and all of those tea accessories, actually. I prefer loose, though bagged can be convenient. Stuff I particularly like: chrysanthemum tea with rock sugar (I know, I know, I'm repeating myself... but I really love this stuff and I've never found it properly made in the States), earl grey and variations on it, chai of all different types (I like to experiment), thai iced tea, mint tea, genmai cha, pu-er with condensed milk, eight treasures. There's a chocolate mint rooibus tea I get from Infusions of Tea that's delicious. I'm fond of Tealuxe's chais and earl grey variations and their echinacea and throat tender teas. I also just generally like jasmine, oolong, white tea, green tea, rose, lavender, milk tea, bubble tea (of various kinds -- lavender is especially yummy -- and especially with lychee jellies instead of bubbles). Stuff I don't like in tea: stuff that's too strongly anise? I guess I'm not a huge fan of the citrus variations in general (not including bergamot, obviously), though there are exceptions.
Do you need any decanting supplies? Pipettes? Vials? How about any wand caps? Roller bottles? Some spray bottles (for oils mixed with alcohol?)
I would be psyched for any of those (though the spray bottles a little less), especially the wand caps and roller bottles, but I'm interested in starting decanting, too, so a starter kit for that would be completely awesome.
What is your favorite hot chocolate or drinking chocolate? Do you need Vegan or no?
[omg http://www.kakawachocolates.com looks _amazing_, I want to try them all!]
I don't need vegan. My standard favorite hot chocolate is Chuao Chocolatier Spicy Maya hot chocolate, though I like their Winter spice one, too. I am also super-fond of L.A. Burdick's dark hot chocolate. For stuff that's not so ungodly expensive, I'm actually pretty fond of Ibarra. Oh, and I have a soft spot for the Swiss Miss with those little mini-marshmallows, ideally mixed with mediocre coffee.
How do you feel about home made lip balm, salt or sugar scrubs, soap, bath salts, etc? What kind of flavors and notes do you like?
Good! All of those sound pretty good, though I don't get to talk baths as much as I'd like so maybe hold off on the bath salts. Fruit flavors, mint, or cinnamon, probably for the lip balm, though I'm happy to try anything. For the rest... I like most fruity and foody scents. Florals are a little iffy, though roses are most likely to agree with me.
Sooooo.....if you were to receive a hand-knitted item, what color(s) would you prefer AND are there any types of yarn that you just cannot handle (e.g. wool, llama, etc.)
Colors: blue! black, red, deep violet, dark grey, dark green, maybe olive... Whatever's fine for the yarn, I think.
How do you feel about Lush? Anything you want to try? I have access to many things.
I am fond of Lush. I miss the Arabian Bright hair treatment desperately. I've been eying their henna for years (I'd want to add a little red highlighting to dark hair). I'm not so keen on their hair products and moisturizers, but I like the bath bombs a lot. I seriously adore their deodorant bars, but I currently have huge amounts of both of the ones I use and they last forever, so I'm probably set on that front for a couple of years.
Do you want to try the Will Call only Champagne scents?
Yes! Especially champagne and roses, but also champagne, chocolate, and cheap sex. Egg Nog Latte is high on my list too, and Ho Ho Ho sounds worth trying, definitely. It would be cool to try champagne and cigars once, but it's less likely to work for me than the others, I believe.
Would you please share your favorite e-card site?
I... don't have one. I am not an eCard sort of person, really. In fact, I think the first one I've ever sent was just a couple of weeks ago, to my witchee.
Do you play on-line games? Which one and which serever? Do you need any funds/equipment/help adventuring?
Nope, sadly, too busy to play computer games even though I enjoy them. And Monkey Island's more my speed, anyway.
Do you have traditional holiday movies you like to watch?
Not that I can think of offhand. I guess I do like The Muppets Christmas Carol. And I have vaguely fond memories of the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special.
What are your "guilty pleasures" type movies? That you really secretly like but don't like to admit to it?
Ahahaha, I don't have much sense of guilt. 10 Things I Hate About You is probably the movie that I love most that I could see causing other people to facepalm. And is probably indicative of the genre that likely counts most as guilty pleasure - romantic comedies. I have a soft spot, okay? But I prefer them clever and/or British and always a little alternative in some way. Or, well, really really kooky or maybe even ridiculous. Or both! I also love a good action flick (current favorites: Iron Man, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, Live Free or Die Hard, Banlieue 13, and always, always Aliens).
Hmm, guilty pleasure movies... I guess I would have to say I am more of Guilty Pleasure TV series person.
I mostly feel even less guilty about my TV watching (on DVD). It was a little weird (but cool) that year that I watched Project Runway and The Amazing Race with my housemates. Reality TV, who woulda thunk. But mostly I watch stuff like Supernatural, Friday Night Lights, Heroes (season 1 only), Veronica Mars, Bones, House, Psych, Burn Notice, Chuck, Entourage, Firefly, Buffy, Angel, Sports Night, West Wing, Studio 60... I guess Dark Angel could count as a guilty pleasure?
What are your favorite websites (i.e., the ones you visit every day, or almost every day)?
yahoo mail
gmail
livejournal 1
livejournal 2
bpal
google
Anyone else a Luis Royo fan? I wouldn't say fan, though I do like the art.
Anyone a fan of Goddess art?
I love images of women, in beautiful poses, strong women, powerful women (No- Not Hilary ROFL) I like dark, vampire types too, not *too* dark- okay for general consumption type art too. Girl In Denial made a gorgeous artwork for me for the Paying it Forward- it is simply stunning- I adore it. Its the most exquisite painting I've seen for a long long time...and it is *so* me!It is up there as one of my prized posessions!
Again, I wouldn't say fan, though I definitely like some art with such themes.
Do you collect anything...BESIDES BPALs.
Ahahahaha, yes. Books, mostly. Also cds, and favorite foods and restaurants. For a while I was collecting hedgehog things. And Death-related things (er, the personage(s)/deities of Death rather than just anything related to death). Oh, and pretty postcards/art/magnets/souvenirs/etc.
What bath products can you not live without? What are your favorite etailers? Are there any etailers you haven't tried but would like to?
Clearasil. Everything else I tend to switch up. Current favorite hair products (besides the late, great Lush: Arabian Bright): Redken Clear Moisture shampoo and conditioner, Asience shampoo and conditioner, Giovanni Smooth as Silk shampoo and conditioner, Aveda madder root conditioner. I like nifty-smelling bar soaps, in general. And I'm in the market for a really good oil-free moisturizer for combination skin.
Hey! I know a bunch of people on here have mentioned being gamers -- has anybody played the Wasabi! game? My gaming group tried it out last night, and it was a hoot! I haven't, though I'd love to try it. Also, who likes Munchkin? What flavor?
Yup yup. I don't own any of the sets but many of my friends do, and I've enjoyed it quite a bit when I've played it in the past. I think Munckin Fu might be my favorite, though Bites, Impossible, and Cthulhu also appeal. And Munchkin Blender, definitely.
This is kind of a getting-to-know-you-type-thingie, but I always find it illuminating--what's on your computer desktop? Images? Color scheme?
Earth (with a big swirly cloud on the surface) from space, but close enough in that the Earth is taking up maybe 60% of the screen, the horizon cutting diagonally across. It's one of the included desktops. Also a half-dozen folders, one in the upper left corner, the rest against the right side. Taskbar at the bottom, very small, with the magnifying glass set fairly high. My color schemes tend to be blues and greys.
Would you be interested in some knitted wire jewelry, like this? Definitely!
If you were to attend Hogwarts, into which House would you be sorted?
Ravenclaw. By my own choice, and by the results of every single quiz on the subject I have ever taken (and that's a lot!).
Oh, and I actually did think of a couple of answers to the 'things you would like but never buy for yourself' question from earlier.
I think the thing currently topping this list is silk sheets. But in general the answer is stuff that I don't realize I should want yet (in other words, rec me stuff!).
Do you have a personal 'Good Luck' charm? Maybe you have a goddess figure to remind you of your Inner Goddess, or maybe you have a beautiful Cross to represent your faith...Or maybe you wear a Hand of Fatimah for protection....That kind of thing.
Not really. I tend to be most confident when my hair is in a good mood. Oh, and my brass rat (MIT class ring) might sort of count.
Question for the class: How do you feel about winter-themed but not really holiday type decorations? Things like snowflakes and fake icicles and the like?
I love (love love love) snowflakes, and I like winter in general a lot.
would you please do your Witches a favor and write down some specific measurements and yarn likes/dislikes in a post. I have some orders in for "schtuffs" but your witches can't exactly ask you point blank since it would ruin the surprise. I'd like to know wrist size, circumference just below the elbow, and most importantly; what kind of fiber can you tolerate/not tolerate. Please be more specific than non-itchy wool. Alpaca, merino sheep's wool, silk, acrylic, stainless steel, you name it. I can wear almost anything without it itching, but others can't.
wrist ~7" (on the 6.5" side, but I probably would want something that doesn't fit quite that closely), circumference just below the elbow ~10.5-11 inches. I'm not super-sensitive to fabric, but definitely some are too scratchy for me -- unfortunately, I don't know enough about fabrics to be able to name them in detail! I suspect staying away from regular/coarse wool and acrylics would be preferable, though softer wools (cashmere, alpaca, merino) and synthetics could well be fine. Silks are adored.
burnables? candles, tarts, incense? Yes or no? Sure. Not something I use regularly, but I do like them.
what's on your keyring? More importantly, is it something that might be accented by some cool beads and/or charms, and would you, could you, just maybe like a Keyring Of Excessive Jingle, (a/k/a KOEJ) with said beads and charms and jewelry-liike goodness?
Cool beads and/or charms could be good, though mostly I tend towards streamlined and functional. Right now it's very workaday, just some red lego blocks, a house key, a mailbox key, and two office keys for school.
Do you speak any languages besides English? How fluent are you? Would you be interested in literature in a foreign laguage - phrase books, fiction, childrens stories?
Yup, Chinese and French. My Chinese is maybe semi-fluent -- not even close to native speaker level fluent, but fairly advanced if not to the highest level. My French was 4 years of high school and has been mostly neglected since then; I'll be brushing up on it in the next few months. Children's books and fiction (and plays and poems) in both, phrase books perhaps in French, and not so much in Chinese unless the focus is specifically the more advanced types of things like idiomatic expressions. I am especially fond of editions that have the one language on one side and the other on the facing page.
Do you like mythical/fantastical creatures? Which ones?
I do. Many of them, really. Dragons, phoenixes, gryphons, gargoyles, satyrs, phouka, most fae... I do like the Pegasus (preferably a Greek mythology version, more intimidating than cute and fluffy), and I seems to have progressed far enough from my childhood that suddenly rainbows and unicorns have a certain ironic appeal. Though, my heart belongs to deadly beautiful more than cute, overall. I am interested in most unique or named mythical creatures to one extent or another. Some of the darker ones are also rather fascinating (banshees, death's pale horse, sirens, etc). And I'm very fond of the Chinese Classic of Mountains and Seas, which has a selection of them.
Who would enjoy receiving travel guides (like Fodors and Zagat)? For which destinations?
I adore travel guides, I'm totally addicted to them. I have way too many for Beijing, and I'm probably all set on Shanghai and Tokyo, but I wouldn't mind other cities in China and Japan, and I would _love_ stuff about Taiwan. I'd also be interested in Paris, London, Vancouver... actually, pretty much anywhere. I especially like Rough Guide and Lonely Planet, though others are also read and loved, and I do use Zagat for food sometimes.
Who's a Disney fan? Cartoons, theme parks, or just general stuff?
I like Disney, though I wouldn't say fan, exactly. I like plenty of the classics (Maleficent ftw! And I liked some of the wacky live-action films like The Parent Trap and That Darn Cat), but I have the biggest soft spot for the Menken-Ashman trifecta, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin, plus Newsies and Mulan. Epcot is by far my favorite theme park section.
Do you like caramels like coconut lime? Salted?
I've never had coconut lime caramels, but I'd probably like them. I _love_ salted caramel and salted chocolate.
New question: So we've talked about cartoons, but what other kid shows did you watch?
Mine: Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, 3-2-1 Contact, Where in the World is Carmen San Diego (with Rockapella!), Bill Nye the Science Guy. I like the Muppets and Fraggle Rock, too, though I mostly watched those a bit later.
I used to be an earth scientist -- mostly geophysics (my undergrad thesis was on mantle convection), but also some geochem and general geology and environmental science. I love cool rocks and geological features (glaciers, volcanos, chasms, deep sea trenchs, mountains, fjords, rivers and lakes, etc), and anything about geological processes and planetary geology. I also really like hydrology and fluid dynamics.
Random academic things I'm interested in (besides history and earth science, the obvious): linguistics (especially language change and etymology), archaeology, technology transfer and development, gender as a conceptual category, women's history, philosophy, mythology, social dynamics, psychology, sociology, political science, foreign policy, ideas of space and body, culture, identity, economics, temporality, contingency, war peace, survival strategies, marginality and those at the margins and borderlands, interstices, problems of categorization, problems with liberalism, ideology, emotions, intuition, context, multiplicity, complexity, paradox, subjectivity, polymers and material science, higher mathematics, systems, patterns, cycles... Oh so many things.
But please, please feel free to ignore all this academic stuff! It's just here in case you want it.
Is there any time during the holidays (or the rest of the round) when you'll be away from home for a significant period and it'd be best not to send anything by mail? Dec 22nd to Jan 3rd.
Speaking of which, how many Browncoat witches do we have?? And if you are, would you be interested in getting a Kaylee parasol? If not, would you be interested in getting a paper parasol hand painted with your favorite colors?
I love Firefly, and I'd adore a Kaylee parasol or a painted paper parasol in other colors.
Hand beaded jewellery, yay or nay? Yay.
Would you personally rather get handmade jewelry or the beads to make something yourself? The finished jewelry.
Everyone who wants a beaded potholder, please to be raising the hands! Sure.
To make up for the fact that I probably won't be able to send my witchee homebaked goodies, will Tim Tams in any number of varieties be an acceptable replacement? Definitely.
Which witches would like hair accessories: clips, scrunchies, hairsticks, headscarves, etc?
Yes to all. Especially hairsticks and clips -- either the tiny butterfly clips (they can go around a bun) or fairly large ones (my hair is really quite long at this point, approx thigh length). I like the clips that snap into place and function sort of like barrettes, too. And decorative hair pins. But hair sticks are probably safest.
If your witch were to send you cookies, what kind of cookies would you like?
All cookies are treasured. When left to my own devices, I choose peanut butter, chocolate chip, butterscotch chip, spice, almond, shortbread, russian tea cookies... But there are lots outside of these that I love, so.
Anyone else a total nerd like me and would like DnD/Roleplay stuff (Dice, minis, books, corny tees, etc.)?
Yup! Dice and books, definitely, but I'll pass on the minis. Corny tees only if they're babydoll or women's tees, and in dark colors. And I've played most of the major roleplaying systems, but more D&D, White Wolf (Exalted, WoD and nWoD, Adventure, Trinity), and Shadowrun than anything else.
Cat hair? No worries.
Who (of course excluding Schackjj ) would like a pair of handknit socks? Size? Color preference? Cabled, ribbed (for your pleasure), stranded colorwork, etc.?
I would adore tall tall stripey socks. I wear 8/8.5 in shoes and have quite thick calves. Dark rainbow; blues, purples, aquas, dark greens or olive, dark orange, browns, red (on the darker side), wine, extremely dark pink, black.
What witch would like a cloak? Cloaks are awesome.
Since we're talking about warm winter wearables, who likes hats? Mittens? Arm warmers?
Sadly, I live in San Diego and there is no winter here. Hats and warm mittens are pretty much a no-go. Though, I do occasionally like to wear very light gloves, and arm warmers aren't actually a bad idea. I enjoy leg warmers, too.
So, question all- how do people feel about unusual ornaments? As in, for holidays other than Christmas? Amused and curious.
On a similar note, who likes yarn? What kinds/colors/weights/fibers? Handspun? Glitter? Funky art yarn made from shredded jeans, fake flowers, lace, sequins, and the tattered souls of your enemies? Other craft supplies you desperately want more of and can't live without?
No yarn for me, please -- I don't really craft. Stationary, origami paper, and visual art supplies are probably my limit.
Question for future witchee: Would you like to receive ATCs or would you prefer something more usable, like bookmarks or something? It's all good.
Who likes tshirts? What about homemade tshirts? Like with transfers I made myself....
As long as they're a style I'd wear (babydoll preferably), having unique stuff on them sounds awesome.
Another question! How does everyone feel about steampunk? (It's my new obsession, so I thought I'd ask.) I adore it.
I love burning mix CDs, since I have tonnnns lying around and they're cheap and relatively fast to make. Problem is, 90% of my music is not English; I have a lot of Japanese, Korean and even some songs in French! Would my potential Witchee be up for some stuff they'd never heard before if they couldn't understand the words? (I have some veeeery catchy songs I've caught even my mother humming along!)
Hell yes! Especially the French, and especially stuff that's not toooooo pop. And thanks for asking this question -- I've got a bunch of underground Chinese rock, punk, sort-of-folk, and post-rock I acquired over the summer that I might make mixes of to send, come to think of it.
What kind of candy/sweet treat would you like to receive?
High-quality dark chocolate, especially with nuts or unusual flavors. Though I also like Cadbury's milk fruit and nut bars, so it's not like milk is the anathema or anything. I like wacky asian candies, especially those lychee gummies and jellies, and weird flavors of Pocky. I also like most things featuring almonds or peanut butter, and I like spicy things, and mint, and ginger, and flower-flavored candies. I also like some fruit-flavored things -- Starburst, Skittles, etc... even Smarties. Chocolate-covered cinnamon Altoids are pretty amazing, too. The only thing I can think of that I really dislike is licorice. I guess I'm not that fond of nougat, though I do like Snickers because of all the other yummy stuff in them. Mostly I'm pretty easy to please on the sweets front.
It's cold outside - what are your favorite drinks to keep yourself warm and cozy?
Earl grey tea, mint tea, other kinds of tea (chocolate mint rooibus, yum), spicy hot chocolate, mulled apple cider, yummy flavored lattes and mochas...
favorite coffee beverage: currently either caramel lattes with real caramel or a double lava chill -- basically a frappe-type frozen coffee drink with two shots of espresso and mexican chocolate.
I love Christmas music even though I'm pagany -- how about you? Some Christmas music is awesome, some of it not so much. Obscure gorgeous classical/early music/celtic/choral sorts of things preferred.
Anyone else have a sudden and unexpected favorite BPAL lately? Love-in-idleness. It was a frimp, and I was surprised at how much I liked it.
So ... what other knitters/crocheters/crafters like to reclaim yarn from other finished projects. Nope. Just not really a crafty sort of person. I suppose I could always give it to my housemate, though. Especially if it's really nice yarn.
What Winter Holiday do celebrate? Solstice, I guess? And Chinese New Year. But I like Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, pretty much everything.
Do any of you like puzzle books? Yup! Of most kinds -- crosswords are great, sudoku is fun (though I like the really complex/difficult ones, by now), logic puzzles are terrific, etc. It's all good.
Do you like to cook? if so, what? Would you like things like spices, cookbooks, recipes, tips?
I do like to cook, though I don't get much of a chance to these days. Pretty much everything! Yes, yes, yes to all.
Would anyone care for some Jolikia peppers? Sure!
What is the biggest problem or sad thing in your life? Of course, I mean the saddest or worst thing you can confess here.
Well, I've been having pretty serious burnout issues with grad school, bad enough that I'm probably going to be taking some time off. I believe that in the end I'll be better off for it, but in the meantime, it's been fairly hellish.
And.... what fashion item or style do you like, but never wear?
Hats. I adore the idea of hats, and I've been told I look good in them, but they tend to drive me crazy when I actually try to wear them.
Are there any other forums that you frequent? None really besides this and livejournal.
Does anyone get help from significant others, children, or others not involved in the forums on their Switch Witch?
I've never done this before, but I probably will!
Do you like honey? Will you like to try creamy honey with black sesame or with cinnamon powder?
Oh my goodness. I love honey, and I both love cinnamon and seriously adore black sesame (any candy-like thing that involves black sesame has my automatic approval).
Who are your forum friends, person or people your witch can contact for ideas?
/o\ I think I'm too new to have any? At least purely from a bpal perspective. cortneyofeden and I are friends in real life, at least.
Houseplants and/or things to put them in: thoughts?
I am an extremely bad houseplant mommy, I'm afraid. Even cacti are not safe.
Do you like baskets, jars and other interesting containers? Filled or Empty? I have tons of little boxes that I was thinking of decoupaging and sending along...
Yes, please, I love containers! Especially relatively small containers that might be good for holding imps. I repurposed almost all of my jewelry boxes, but I ran out of room long ago. I love love love boxes, especially. So flat and stackable and full of promise!
New question: Shoe size? Style of shoe preferred? Any interest in slippers? mine: 8 or 8.5, wide is often preferred but regular is fine in some brands and styles. I like boots, mary jane style shoes, and sandals (everything from classy strappy sandals to flipflops), mostly, though I've been wearing Mia jelly flats a lot recently. I wear flats more than heels, though sometimes a nice sturdy square or flared heel with good balance will work. I prefer rounded toes, though square can also be good, but I'm not so fond of pointy toes unless they are really extremely pointy in a costumey sort of way. And I like the idea of slippers, of any number of different styles.
To my witch: I'm so sorry I don't have a wishlist up yet! The quarter ends early next week and I'll put together a list asap after that and drop a note here. Also, I'm compiling all my answers to questions on my forum blog.
What jewelry are you wearing now? Where now = earlier today: dangly earrings (stud post) with small faceted black crystals and teardrop-shaped cubic zirconia at the end and a small round cubic zirconia at the top and black findings, 1 silver and black square ring, 1 diamond-shaped silver and marcasite ring.
What jewelry do you wear everyday-or do you change jewelry all the time? My usual pair of earrings is a dangly set with a teardrop-shaped black faceted bead at the end and black findings (leverback, my favorite), but sometimes I wear a small delicate gold wire set that's hoop style with a tiny dangling pearl bead instead. I also often wear my MIT class ring, a fairly hefty burnished gold rectangular ring. And if my top allows it, I wear choker-length necklace made of tiny black faceted crystals and a reasonably large rectangular reddish agate. I always think I'll switch up my jewelry more, but I do tend to default to a few pieces day-to-day. But sometimes I cycle.
Which witches would want Bpal boxes? Or imp cases?
Yes! So much yes! There are few things I want more in the world than bpal bottle and imp boxes and cases.
Would you like a handmade piece of calligraphy as a gift? Sure!
How about a short - or longer - piece of fanfic?
Quite possibly. If you want to go with this option, I'd recommend figuring out some way of asking me for further info.
And there was a question about literary erotica? I am generally in favor.
What is the weirdest and/or most practical thing you are not buying for yourself right now? The thing that you probably should be buying, but have been putting off in lieu of something else?
Weirdest: Those steampunk blocks (http://www.xylocopa.com/product/mad-science-alphabet-blocks)? Or... a corset? Most practical: Skirts. Financial software. Parallels for Mac. Thing I should be buying but have been putting off in lieu of something else: New glasses. Mostly because I just don't have time, less because I've been buying other stuff instead. Oh, and conditioner.
Do you read graphic novels/comics? Which ones? Yes! Current: Runaways, Umbrella Academy, Fables, Echo. Older: Sandman, Strangers in Paradise, Promethea, Blue Monday, Athena, Charm School, JTHM, Castle Waiting, Preacher, League of Extraordinary Gentleman, Small Favors, Here is Greenwood, Hopeless Savages, Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind, Persepolis. Read some, will be reading more: Saiyuki, Inu Yasha, From Eroica with Love, Girl Genius, Batman, Teen Titans. Read one volume, want to read more: Y the Last Man, Lucifer. Want to read: Transmetropolitan.
What cartoons did you grow up watching? Any animated shows you still watch?
Muppet Babies, Care Bears, Gummi Bears, Jem, Smurfs, Talespin, Ducktales, Animaniacs, My Little Ponies, Bugs Bunny, Tom & Jerry, She-ra, Flintstones, Jetsons... I watch the occasional Batman Beyond and Batman: The Animated Series, and I'll probably watch Teen Titans eventually. I also watch the occasional anime (Saiyuki, Here is Greenwood, Escaflowne, Kino's Journey, Kimagure Orange Road, everything Studio Ghibli (Whispers of the Heart, Laputa, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, etc)).
Are you planning on buying anything off your BPAL wishlist during the round?
I.. might? Once I have a wishlist? But I'll be sure to update the wishlist right away, and drop a note here and in my blog.
Do you like baskets, jars and other interesting containers? Filled or Empty? [An addendum to my previous statement of yes, please, especially boxes.] Just a note to say that filled with stuff is also great!
Chia Pet, do you need one? Probably not?
What are 3 places that you'd like to visit, or re-visit?
Visit: Egypt, Greece, Persia. (Or Morocco! I can't decide!)
Re-visit: Japan (especially Kyoto and Hokkaido), Italy (especially Rome and Venice), Budapest.
*facepalm* It's possible I'm a historian, can you tell? The only reason China's not on the list is because I already know I'm going back there.
New question: Favorite animals? Least favorite?
Big cats (especially tigers, panthers), bears (my last name means bear in Chinese), dragons, hedgehogs. On the domestic animal front I'm pretty fond of black and grey domestic shorthair cats, maltese cats, black labs, scottish terriers, westland terriers. Somewhat unusual animals I like: jellyfish, octopi, spiders, and bats. I also like horses. I'm not sure if I actually have a least favorite animal... I like most animals, really. Maybe mosquitos.
New question: How do you feel about Heifer International? Or do you have other favorite charities not mentioned in your application?
I really like Heifer International. I'm also fond of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the Woman's Lunch Place in Boston, Lambda Legal, CARE, IMPACT Bay Area (women's self defense), and Doctors Without Borders.
