butterfly dream

I think I may need to apologise to tree_and_leaf , who had barely posted her version of this one when I swooped down and bore it off delightedly. I did read her post through first, I swear (and enjoyed it besides).

1) The worst reading experience that you have ever had?

A thriller called Birdman, which I gacked off the 'New' shelf at the bookstore whilst between mystery series. The first chapter in I was already dry-heaving, but I kept going out of some vague belief that ugliness must somehow = sophisticated. I must've been nuts. Just an utterly vile string of sexual vilenesses, beginning with the random subplot in which the hero lives across the way from the paedophile who he suspects - but cannot prove - raped and murdered the hero's younger brother years ago. No, really. They trade Dark Looks over the fence each evening before bed.

2) The best reading experience you have ever had?

No question. I was ten or so, and it was the end of a long day delivering flyers for the current family business. I'd been hoarding one of the Blish novelisations of Star Trek TOS all the while; which one I forget now, only that I'd recently discovered the series, and regarded them as treasure. Shoemom had bought us candy necklaces in payment - a commodity second only to FunDips on my preteen NASDAQ - and I remember riding home in the fading light of the backseat clutching them and finally, finally cracking open the coolest book ever. Thinking to myself: 'Years from now, when you're Very Very Old, you will look back on this as A Perfect Moment.' And I became very solemn, slurping on sugar beads and contemplating the rarity of perfection. It was wonderful.

3) Which book has affected or influenced you the most so far?

The Bible. From the secular POV, probably any one of the numberless humourists I devoured as a kid. PG Wodehouse and Dave Barry especially, for making me realise it was possible to really, seriously, make someone laugh out loud with words.

( In which I reveal myself as either a bibliophile or crazy or both... )

Comment to this post and I will give you 5 subjects/things I associate you with. Then post this in your LJ and elaborate on the subjects given.

So the other day, charmed and curious, I commented to this post of  kalquessa 's...and...

Blogging in Shakespearean English, feminism in Watership Down, Pearls Before Swine, Philistine Pollyanna, detective fiction.

OK, self, the moral here? Try not to be so dang memorable next time. Or at least, try it re: favourite bands, or chocolates, or something.

( Anyway, elaboration under the cut. )

I don't usually go in for this kind of widget, but this one came out just right...

Your Word is "Think"

You see life as an amazing mix of possibilities, ideas, and fascinations. And sometimes you feel like you don't have enough time to take it all in. You love learning. Whether you're in school or not, you're probably immersed in several subjects right now. When you're not learning, you're busy reflecting. You think a lot about the people you know and the things you've experienced.

All the cool kids are doing it!

DIRECTIONS
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write that song name down no matter how silly it makes you look.
4. Title this post what the answer to your last question is.
5. Good luck and have fun!

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Sometimes a Fantasy - Billy Joel (Hey, this might be more fun than I thought!)

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
I'd Really Love to See You Tonight - England Dan & John Ford Coley (Well, yes. Specifically in my new DKNYC tunic)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Unpack Your Adjectives - Schoolhouse Rock (You know, in an odd way, this makes total sense)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Monday, Monday - The Mamas and the Papas (Oh, keep reading, it'll all become clear...)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Sour Suite - The Guess Who (Heh. Or alternatively, just check in with anybody who's ever asked for my 'honest opinion')

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
After the Love Has Gone - Earth, Wind & Fire (OK, which one of you clowns told Shoemom about the tunic purchase?)

WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT?
Unloved - Jann Arden (Damn. I am, like, thisclose to becoming a Twilight character, aren't I?)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Walk on Home - Kalan Porter (Sure, it looks like things are getting progressively worse, but check out the bright side! I didn't say I wasn't coming along...I mean, I have to keep measuring off fifty feet 'cause of the restraining order, which is kind of a pain, but...You know what, let's just move on)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Goodnight Saigon - Billy Joel (Yep. Flashbacks, man, it's all about the flashbacks. I can see the newspaper reports now. "She seemed like such a quiet, harmless girl...I mean, she liked Billy Joel a lot, but...")

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley (...um, I like to dance with them a lot?...oh lord help me i am in hell)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
New Kid in Town - Trisha Yearwood ("...and that's when I was forced to hunt them down and kill them all, Your Honour.")

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Listen to the Rhythm of the Falling Rain - Ricky Nelson (That'll show 'em! [sob])

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Jane - Barenaked Ladies (While elsewhere, in a tragic coincidence, perusal of the songwriter's rough notes reveal this as the in-house handle of 'Number 47' from Jailhouse Rock...)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Prelude/Angry Young Man - Billy Joel (Yes, it's true; I am an underground rebel, bent on destroying society and all its institutions [and really, after reading this far, can you blame me?] In fact, my 'Clueless White Chick Like Me' pose has been so successful no one has ever thought to check out my potential connexions to Barack Obama...until now. Muwahhahh-hahh...)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Spider-Man (1967) - Theme (So how come nobody ever invites me out for a night's web-swinging, huh? Nooooo, I want action of a Friday night, I've got to troll the local podunk jail. Thanks a lot, 'friends'!)

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO NAME THIS POST?
Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat - Phil Harris & Scatman Crothers, The Aristocats (Count me in, my brothers. Count me in.)

...also, I have an emergency dental appointment in a couple hours (a wisdom tooth randomly popped out sideways and is 'ulcerating' - lovely word - my inner cheek). So I need some happy fun distraction, like, NOW.

Courtesy tree_and_leaf - I believe it's her own invention:

Go into iTunes (or your mp3 player of choice) and search for 'love'. Post the results under a cut.

Well, this is interesting. I think. Anyway a lot shorter, and more...revealing...list than I'd been expecting, out of 10+ gigs of music:

( In which Shoe turns out to be much less brooding, dark and mysterious than she had hoped...again. [sigh] )

Found this meme trolling around various friendslists, and was intrigued, not least by how well it fits in with recent ideas of my own:

Everyone has things they blog about. Everyone has things they don't blog about. Challenge me out of my comfort zone by telling me something I don't blog about, but you'd like to hear about, and I'll write a post about it. Ask for anything: latest movie watched, last book read, political leanings, etc. Repost in your own journal if you are so inclined.

Have at it, folks.