An interview from [livejournal.com profile] flynngrrl

Feb. 13th, 2004 11:47 am
[personal profile] oakenguy
1) What character do you most wish to be like from anywhere in all of literature or film? And now, which one do you think you are most like?

This took me a LONG time. Partly because when thinking about the question I remembered it wrong.

The character I most wish to be like is Miles Vorkosigan from the Bujold series—smarter than any three normal people, dry, charming, and skilled at turning all his weaknesses into strengths. And damn funny.

I remembered this question as who I’d want to be, and decided that I’d want to be Hugh Grant’s Prime Minister in “Love, Actually”. He’s got a great job where he can do a lot of good but which seems to be pretty easy; he has so many friends that he keeps bumping into them whenever he steps outside; his country’s in good shape, no disasters or invading armies or meteors crashing; his co-workers are quirky and charming; and he apparently keeps in great shape while eating nothing except tea and chocolate biscuits.

Who I’m most like right now...hmm...on a good day I feel like a male Amelie, attuned to the world and feeling everything I put out come back to me in ways that are rich and strange and wonderful.

On a BAD day I feel like Ron Weasley stuck in Dumbledore’s body. Or Vir Kotto with even worse hair.

2) Eating fire. Why? What's it like?

Why? Short answer: because there wasn’t a unicycle around, and no mats for tumbling.

Longer answer: because it’s a useful skill to have, particularly with the troupe I’m performing with. And, frankly, I need each and every useful skill I can possibly get.

What it’s like...it looks a lot scarier and flashier than it actually is, especially to the person doing it. If I was coordinated enough to do it with my eyes closed, I’d barely know anything was going on—a quick motion, exhale, done.

(Sadly, this is also the answer to the ‘what are you like in bed’ question.)

90% of it is getting past the fact that the eyes are close to the mouth, and that those eyes can plainly see a BIG FIERY THING getting closer and closer. Apart from that there’s just the click of your teeth on the metal torch, and maybe a quick little taste of the extinguished wick. And the dizziness of having held your breath until the proper time to exhale + the adrenaline coursing through your system.


3) Tell us about a recurring nightmare you had as a kid, or the worst nightmare you can remember from that time.

I’m about five, walking down the street in my hometown, except the houses are overgrown, there are big trees everywhere, and no people in sight except my Mom who I’m walking with. She says she needs to tell me something important, that everyone in the world except me is turning into a dinosaur. And then I look away for a second and when I turn back she’s gone. I should get indoors, but now I can’t find my house, so I go towards the first one I see but a giant cobra (who I somehow know is my Uncle Oscar) rears up, taller than me. And the rest of the dream is fleeing down the deserted Main Street with the cobra behind me.



4) Compose a haiku that describes your home. Bonus points for a nature metaphor.

Red-mouthed lizard grins;
Books line his insides like scales.
White blood cell bark-barks!

5) Why do you keep a livejournal?

That’s changed with time (ooo, my third qualified answer out of five!) It started out as a place to jot down random thoughts and record important events. As more of my friends have gotten livejournals, though, and I’ve made friends through LJ, it’s become a little less of a diary and more of a group e-mail at times, and at times a little bulletin board for asking questions and exploring issues. For someone slightly phone-phobic, who wants to keep in touch with people all over the state/country/world, it’s the perfect medium.

Date: 2004-02-13 08:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] saltygoodness.livejournal.com
This was actually one of the most revealing interviews I've ever read on lj...I normally just skim them...I'm glad I read this one...

Date: 2004-02-13 10:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] oakenguy.livejournal.com
Thank you! [livejournal.com profile] flynngrrl asks good questions.

Date: 2004-02-13 09:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] anotherjen.livejournal.com
Let's do coffee, soon.

Date: 2004-02-13 10:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] oakenguy.livejournal.com
:)

My schedule's a lot freer than yours. Name a day.

Re:

Date: 2004-02-16 12:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] anotherjen.livejournal.com
I don't think it is! Don't you have a 9-5 office job?? I don't know what happened to your email address, so email me: jen at jenniferhunter dot com.

Date: 2004-02-13 09:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] flynngrrl.livejournal.com
V. cool answers. I especially liked the haiku. :)

Date: 2004-02-13 10:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] phobean.livejournal.com
I agree with the others that this was a rather impressive interview. Thanks for sharing.

p.s. I'm also a little phone-a-phobic. I'd rather write.

Date: 2004-02-13 12:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] badassfaerie.livejournal.com
ok, so even though you didn't post "the rules" if you have some questions for me, I'd be interested in answering them.

Date: 2004-02-13 01:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] oakenguy.livejournal.com
"if I have some questions for you..." oh, it is to laugh! Clear your calendar. :)

Unsurprisingly, the first couple are about performing.

1. When did you know this was what you wanted to do with your life? Was there one part, one inspirational teacher or performer, that made you realize this was the career/lifestyle for you?

2. Assume for a second that you've got the connections and clout to get The Part, the acting role you'll always be remembered for. What is it? If it doesn't exist yet, what would it be like?

More generally,

3. If you could put a message in a bottle and send it back to yourself at age 15, what would you tell her/you?

4. What's the first thing you notice about someone you meet?

5. You're given a huge grant, but every cent of the money has to go towards creating an artcar. What will your creation look like?

Re:

Date: 2004-02-13 02:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ah42.livejournal.com
Ditto. :D

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