The Move and a Meme 29/08/09
So, I move tomorrow. Unfortunately BT can’t switch the internet over until the 7th, which means I won’t be online again until Tuesday. Since I work from home, I can’t move my PC, and I will keep having to commute to my old place–which I still have under contract until mid-September–each day for the next week.
I just finished reading Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières, and what can I say. An epic story of love during the German and Italian occupation of Greece in World War II. Terribly funny in parts and very serious and traumatic in others, and the writing is extremely poetic. It took me a long time to get through; it’s really quite a mouthful, but I found it a more than worthwhile read for anyone interested in romance and war stories. Highly recommended. One of the better WWII stories I’ve encountered.
Now, I decided to be a part of a meme. I received five ‘interview’ questions from Clem which I will answer hereafter. If you would like to receive five questions from me – post a comment and I will reply with my selection. :)
1. What was the last thing you bought that cost over $200?
Apart from the obvious spending of £2066 on the deposit for the new flat (not really a purchase, after all) I think the last physical thing I bought that cost over £100 (and I apologise for using my own currency!) was probably my Nintento Wii – two years ago! The new phone comes close, but it didn’t quite cost over $200. I tend not to spend too much money at once, though I plan to buy myself a new laptop soon to replace my broken one.
2. If you were trapped in a room for three days with your worst enemy, what would you do?
I’d probably try and talk things through so that we could at least live in harmony for those three days. But then, it takes two to tango. It may just end up reaffirming why they were my worst enemy in the first place.
3. What inspired you to start blogging?
Everyone else, and a deep-down narcissism that I hate to admit. I first joined the blogosphere in full-force in 2002 (though I dabbled before then, but mainly created Pokémon fansites since ‘99) and have been going on and off ever since. On and off because I am rather lazy. So lazy that I can’t always be bothered to indulge in the most self-obsessed hobby I have.
4. If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I would probably like to have the ability to learn a foreign language very quickly, so that I could go all over the world and speak to anyone I wanted, read any book, and experience so many different cultures that might have seemed obscure without first being exposed to the language and the people on a more personal level than can be achieved by simply being a wordless tourist.
5. Would you recommend the last movie you saw?
Now I’m trying to remember the last movie I saw. Oh – one of the Film4 ‘Frightfest’ films. Isolation. It’s about cows involved in a genetic experiment – it’s basically like a bovine gore film. I can’t say I would recommend it, unless you have an obsession with tomato ketchup (or blood and guts, either way). It’s Irish. Are you surprised? It’s so odd…
I think nearly everyone blogs out of narcissism, honestly. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, especially if it’s interesting to read.
That’s an excellent superpower. I would definitely want that ability too. It would be a lot less painful than trying to pay attention to horrifically boring French teachers. :p
*nod nod* I didn’t fully move out, till after the day the Internet’s been installed :P Keep in mind that this happened after half a year of fending off my mom’s pleas of “do you REALLY have to?”. My parents thought I was bonkers… I don’t need the Net at home for working purposes (generally).
It’s good that you can go back to your old place to use the Internet (sans extra charge) :)
Heh, who DOESN’T blog for narcissistic reasons? The very act of publishing something online, means you’re narcissistic enough to think that your views will interest someone. So it’s all good. :)
Oooh I’d like such a superpower too. I always feel so stilted whenever I go abroad and don’t speak the language. *envies your Japanese knowledge*
When I first read this question “If you were trapped in a room for three days with your worst enemy, what would you do?”, I thought of the Harry Potter film. I have no idea where I got the connection from though. I would have done the same as you. Sometimes, enemies can turn into lovers since there’s just a thin line between love and hate. Am I going off topic already? :x
Moving is something I know quite well! Good luck with your move, though it’s terrible that your internet won’t be connected until the 7th. We were lucky and only went one day without it. But at least you still have access to it for work!
I think I’d want telekinetic powers. Read people’s minds…though I’m not sure I’d want to control people’s minds. Too much power for one person, though I’d be one of those who wouldn’t abuse it. Or try not to, at least. Being able to learn a language quickly, that’d be great though. It’s so hard learning a language now that I’m older, and it’d be awesome to be able to speak Japanese or Latin fluently!
Being able to speak languages easily would be great, but I think I’d want something similar to what Lucy wants. Even though it’s a little invasive, I’d want to read people’s minds. I don’t want to control them, but knowing their thoughts would be awesome. A little scary, but awesome.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. The only thing I know about it is that the film adaptation has Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz, if I remember correctly. Might be wrong :)