win or die
Name: goldstraw
How did you find out about the community? If it's through an LJ user, please tell us who it is (individual user if possible, not just a community name!): jadeddiva mentioned it on a comment to a fic
Age: 26
Location: London, UK
Occupation: civil servant in central government
All About You
1. Describe your ideal house/home. Please go into as much detail as possible, and be sure to include your ideal geographical location in the description!.
A Georgian manor house in North Devon. It's an old rectory really, close to a hamlet that has been there since the Doomsday Book. A wide sweeping gravel drive leads up to it, pillars around a large door welcoming you. There's a large country style kitchen with an Aga (tabby cat and labrador enjoying its gentle heat) and Belfast sink. It's the heart of the home: comfy sofas, piles of newspapers, Radio 4 on in the background. A large table that sits eight is at the centre of the room, covered in bits and bobs and a vase of flowers from the garden. There's a formal sitting room with a fireplace where you have the Christmas tree. There's a dining room, deep red, and filled with ancient mahogany furniture. The bedrooms upstairs are large and airy, each with a slightly different set of decorations depending on its occupants. You can see the garden best from the master bedroom, stretching out towards the moors. Only a tractor passes by twice a day and you can hear the lambs bleating in spring.
2. Imagine you’re given the classic opportunity: a genie granting you three wishes. What would you wish for? Please be as elaborate as you can. Wishing for more wishes is not permitted!
1. The chance to work and live abroad. I've got incredibly itchy feet and want to experience different cultures as a member of that community rather than just a passing tourist.
2. Happiness for my friends and family. To give them the opportunity to fulfill their dreams.
3. To make my parents proud. A driving force so far in my life.
3. In your life so far, what accomplishment are you the most proud of? Why? You can list more than one if you have trouble deciding. ;)
Getting into Oxford twice! Essays, interviews, tears and I got in to St Catherine's. Come round to results day, and I should have guessed from the teacher's face as she handed me the results that I hadn't got the AAA I needed, but ABB. From Oxford to clearing in one easy step! Hours later I decided that I would take a year out, move to London by myself and live with an uncle I had never met, go to a crammer college, reapply, jump all those hoops again. December 2005: I opened the letter from Lincoln College to say that they had accepted me, and only wanted me to bump up the two B's to A's. The best three years of my life followed.
Why am I proud? I realised I had been complacent in my ability but learnt from that, took risks, worked incredibly hard and didn't take no for an answer. Best decision of my life so far.
4. Which of the following is most important to you: Love, Money, Knowledge, Family, Friendship, Adventure, or Pleasure? Which is the least important to you? Please explain why for each choice.
Most important - Knowledge. I seek to increase it myself every day, and I seek it in others. I'd much rather have a raging argument with someone intelligent and a lot knowledge rather than inconsequential gossip.
Least important - gah, this is hard! At a push I would say pleasure, but only because the others are all important to me!
5. What's one quote (or passage, song lyric, etc.) that effectively describes you and your values? Explain.
"Home is where the heart is." I'm the daughter of an expat, so home isn't a place but where your family is. I'm a homebody, and find it relaxing when it's just us four. I think a good, strong family is incredibly important.
6. How do you manage your money? On that note, how important is money/financial security to you? Go into as much detail as you can.
I manage my money well, I think. I don't have any debts and I try to save a little each month to give myself a little leeway, save up for fun things. But I'm of the firm belief that you shouldn't scrimp and save if you can afford not to - have that nice dinner, don't feel guilty about buying a dress, go on holiday and see the world. The value and worth of something to you is more important than how much it costs.
7. Name (and elaborate on) some of your hobbies. What are your favorite things to do outside of school/the office?
I love going to the cinema and try to see lots of little, unknown, foreign films. I love German and Russian films. I read most days. I am a political geek - Radio 4 in the morning and afternoon, newspapers etc. I like to watch comedy, live and on television. On that note, I watch way too much television but I enjoy it and it teaches me a hell-a-lot. And I write JaimexBrienne fic, lol.
8. Name three things you are afraid of. Explain.
Not falling in love and having children.
Letting down parents, colleagues, friends - anyone really!
Not having an exciting and varied life.
9. Name (and elaborate on) your top three BEST and top three WORST qualities (personality-related, not physical). Please answer as fully as you can, as this is an important question.
Three best qualities
1. Caring - three quite separate groups of friends have referred to me as Mummy Kate. I take that as a compliment! I'm the one with a plaster, or a shoulder to cry on, the voice of reason!
2. Responsible - I really really don't like letting people down and I try hard not to. I have an eye for detail and organisation and will step in if something goes awry.
3. Funny - a quiet sort of wit, I think. A sarcastic remark here, a random bit of gentle needling there...
Three worst qualities
1. Lack of patience - I have quite literally have no patience whatsoever. It annoys the hell out of people at restaurants for example, while I'm desperately trying to catch the waitress's eye to order or get the bill.
2. I can be a little cold - I'm a classic introvert and need to have some time by myself every day. This leads me to running away from social gatherings occasionally.
3. Lazy - people say I work hard, but it's all a sham! I would literally not get out of bed most days if I could help it.
A Song of Ice and Fire Related
1.How many books from the series have you completed?
Every book up to A Dance With Dragons. I'm re-reading the series now and I will go on to finish the set this time round! I didn't last time because I wanted to keep it for later, while we wait for the next book.
2.Who are your favorite three characters in the series? Why?
Brienne of Tarth - I see a little of myself in her, and she is an encouragingly fresh type of character that few books have. She is probably the purest of heart in ASOIAF, and so determined. I admire her and her strength. I feel for her and her reactions with the other characters. She's beautiful.
Jaime Lannister - what a story this man has! I just love his realisation over the books that he is not always right, that his mind is gradually being opened to things that he didn't even consider. Oh gosh, and then there's his wit, his sharp remarks. He understands people, but hates the politics of it all. He's so loyal and disarming.
Varys - I think he might be the sanest man in the whole of Westeros. He knows the game and I like him moving the pieces around the board. He has hidden depths.
3.Who are your least favorite three characters in the series? Why?
Robb Stark - because while I know he's young, he is literally the most political naive person ever. One poor decision after another...and look where that led him. You've got to be a little more astute to win in Westeros.
Petyr Baelish - unlike Varys, Littlefinger is completely out for himself. And with such a chip on his shoulder about not being a proper highborn lord. It taints every action and makes him unutterably selfish.
Tywin Lannister - cruel and cold, I'm glad he reaped what he sowed.
4.#1 Favorite moment in all of ASOIAF so far? Why?
Jaime saving Brienne from the bear and the goat. It's a massive turning point for him, the dream beforehand revealing everything.
5. In your dream-world, how would you like to see the series end, and why?
I want the Iron Throne to be destroyed. The seven kingdoms to return with their individual power and control. I'm afraid I want Dany to not make it across the sea - the dragons are lost/killed somehow. And for Jaime and Brienne to live happily ever after, of course!