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  • Silvertree

    Mod post: No wishlist posts in blogs

    By Silvertree

    Please be aware that we do not permit swap-related content on profiles or in blogs. Please post this content only in the For Sale, Swaps, and Wanted forums, or in the Wishlists topic. ~from Swapping 101  Thanks!
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loverstreet's Blog
 

SW ?'s Day 5

Any cooks? Could you use anything cooking related? Aprons? Cookbooks? Measuring Cups? Recipes? Herb/Spice containers? Fancy Spices? Dish Towels? Cocktail napkins? Amazing Beaded Pot Holders? (like from our very own Pottersville! ) Something else?Yeah, what I need IS a cook, to come live here with us and make edible foodstuff. I totally suck at kitchen, but could always use new dish towels or pot holders (to replace all the ones with crispy burnt edges).   What was your favourite job ever? Its one of the ones I currently do - musical director at a theater.   Which three albums would you take to your apocalypse bolt hole and how would you power the generator?[/b ]Bach's complete Brandenburg Concertos, Compiled Works of Aaron Copeland, and a compilation albumn of Rush; generated by my breathing.   What GC scent have you been putting off getting since it'll "always be there"? March Hare.
loverstreet

loverstreet

0
labyrinthine's Blog
 

Switch Witch Questions 1

I’m on the list; shy newbie Witch here, terrified of letting anyone down but excited as a weeing puppy.   are everyone's favorite Halloween-y/Autumn-y/spooky movies? Are there any you don't own but would like to? I have my pile of Halloween DVDs out already: Sleepy Hollow, Sweeney Todd, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Bela Lugosi films, The Wicker Man, Strangers on a Train, Psycho, Arsenic and Old Lace. I would love any Hammer Horror on DVD, especially Poe based ones, oo and Coraline, Rocky Horror Picture Show or Nosferatu would be great   Are roasted pumpkin seeds and home made chex mix the best fall snack foods, or what? I don’t know what chex mex is but it sounds fabulous.   what kinda socks are you wearing tonight? First woolly socks of the autumn, thick black Totes toasties. Would prefer soft handmade ones!   Whats your favorite pie, my dear SW's? Apple pie I think but I love, love pies from pumpkin to Key Lime, at least I think so from the perfumes, have tried to make them but failed! Do you like socks? Blankets? Wrist warmers? Arm warmers? Headband? Shawl? Or what kind of knitted thing would you love the most? I get very cold in my arms, legs and joints so can’t get enough soft woolly lovelies. I dream of thick soft socks, leg warmers, arm warmers, fingerless gloves, shawls to wear while writing and blankets to tuck over my legs. The one I would love the most? – soft leg warmers, mmmm. Or wrist warmers, mmmm.   Big Dipper Wax Works: If you were my witchee, would you like any of the scents/sizes that are available on clearance? Looks lovely!   Which of the seven deadly sins is most likely to be your undoing? Mmm, pride or sloth. With gluttony creeping up on me.   Who is musically inclined? What instruments (voice counts) do you play? Would you enjoy sheet music? I sing and play piano, theremin and percussion. Not sure about sheet music.   Would you want candles from this site, and if so, which scents interest you? http://www.darkcandles.com Haven’t tried any but would like to v much. Any of the Halloween/autumn or foody scents.   How do you feel about clothing/accessories made from animals? Anti-fur, leather, shells, etc.? Does even faux wig you out? Not keen on real fur, faux is fine. Not keen on leather or shells either. Wool is fine.   How do you deal with stress? What's your favorite way to unwind? I don’t deal with stress very well but I try to do some exercise (yoga/pilates/gym), then have a warm bath with relaxing essential oils and read in bed with a cup of tea, a spray of L’autunno on the sheets and something lovely, Quietude maybe, on the aromastone.   You're given the opportunity to apprentice at any trade (or craft) of your choosing for the period of one year. Your mentor may be any currently living person. Which field of study would you choose, and who would be your mentor? It would have to be perfumery, with Beth as my mentor.   sock dreams? I mainly dream of shoes, but if I wasn’t being facetious, which would be unusual, I don’t know what Sock dreams is. I like socks though. Wear lots of ones with ghosties/spiders/skulls etc on.   Who wants hair pretties?(headbands, barrettes, pony-o's, scrunchies, bobby pins, hair clips, etc) I wear interesting clips or things to bung in the hair – vintage shinies, gothic clips, fifties style clips, veils, anything unusual really. Not so keen on standard flower clips.   Do you mind artificial colors in your food I would rather that it was non-animal/insect derived artificial colour.   Do you like Villainess soaps? What are your favorite scents? I love the smooches – Ginger Snapped especially. Very interested in the Smack.     Anyone ready for the new carnaval update? Can’t wait.   are you into 80s movies (like i am ) if so, which are your favorites and who are your favorite characters? Ah, the eighties: Big, Dead Poets Society, Weird Science, Indiana Jones, latter 2 in the Star Wars trilogy, Flash Gordon (“no, not the bore-worms” – Princess Aura was my first female crush. Oh yes. I was v small.), Labyrinth, Princess Bride,   What are your favorite fruits? Ripe mango and cherries; Cox’s Pippin apples.   what is one thing you constantly keep with you that you constantly lose? Plain black hairbands   Lusting over anything from the Trading Post lately? Always! But all the Lucy set at the moment.   Are you a Miyazaki fan? Do you have all the films you like, or is your collection missing one? Is there any merchandise you want? Definitely a fan. I don’t have Princess Mononoke or Laputa.   Do you wear lip gloss/lip balm? If so, what flavors/scents? I love most lip balms, especially if they don’t have petroleum in. I like Lush lip balms, Haunt, superbad and would like to try Body Bakery, Bunny Butt, Bath Nation or any other really!… foody, fruity, flora, spice scents all fabulous but vanilla or marshmallow is my favourite. I used to practically eat the Boots Natural Collection Vanilla lipbalm but I can’t find it in my store.     How do you feel about ghost stories? Do you like to tell the old tales around a campfire? Read true accounts on the web way past your bedtime? Do you like to pick up a good anthology of Poe stories on a blustery day? Or is all that too scary for you? I love writing spooky stories and have a penchant for reading Poe, MR James, Wilkie Collins, Dickens etc in my red armchair on windy nights with candles dancing, chocolate ready next to a glass of port. On All Hallows Eve I may well read Macbeth, Poe and The Graveyard Book.   Nother question! Coffee or Tea? Tea first thing, then coffee, then decaff tea, then herbal tea. Overall then, tea.   Interested in locally produced products? Food, skincare or both?Olive oil? Lavender oils or soaps? Absolutely. All of the above. Local honey especially, I love the thought of them fuzzy wonders foraging near me. And I adore artisan olive oil and tasting the differences in the notes.   Does anyone in here wear a lot of dangly earrings or collect pendants of all kinds?? How about hair clips or pony tail band things? I like odd, gothic hairclips.   What is your favourite historical period? Victorian   Did you order anything from the most recent update? Just about to get Falling Leaves and Cake Smash.   i know someone already asked about tea and coffee, but i want to know what other hot beverages everyone likes for fall? Mulled wine, real cocoa with cinnamon sticks and brandy, red spicy wines.     Vampires or Werewolves? Or some other monster? Sex with vampires, cuddles with werewolves.     Are you involved in any long-term, ambitious project? something like decorating your house or saving for a trip to the other end of the world, for example. Yes, I'm writing a novel, a collection of short stories, a poetry collection and an album. Also trying to sort the very messy house out.   You're in the kitchen at the end of a pay period and groceries are pretty scarce. Do you take the five ingredients you find first and make something fabulous, or do you order take out ? Did this last night: grabbed a dusty packet of rice noodles, a jar of peanut butter, a mouldy stub of ginger, a carrot and a courgette and made a surprisingly tasty pad thai. Or rather, ordered my sous chef around. If I had more money I would definitely order take out.   Any rabid sports fans out there? What teams do you root for? I’m not rabid, but I do vaguely follow most sports in the UK. I love watching athletics, those people are remarkable.   What's your favorite animal? (You can have more than one.) Wolves are my favourite. But I love all animals.   This is how the world ends... zombie apocalypse, robot uprising, alien invasion, return of the elder gods... which doomsday scenario do you prefer (or make your own!)? I’d prefer enough time to tell people I loved then, then the light turned off.   In the year 2525... if man is still alive... what sort of future do you imagine? (apologies to anyone who gets that song stuck in their head!) We have fish for heads and heads for fish and an uncomfortable relationship with angling.   Do you believe in magic (or magick, if you prefer)? What does it mean to you? I know I can affect my own behaviour and world with affirmations and positive thinking, I don’t know about being able to affect others.   If you found the puzzle box from Hellraiser, what would you do with it? ( and would you be able to resist playing with it? ) I’d wrap it so no one can get in it: an acre of plumber’s tape, bubble wrap and strong sellotape, in a fresh padded and sealed envelope. I’d then send it to my aunt’s house who claims to never receive post so that it’ll be lost forever in a post office vault, like the ark of the covenant but with more whistling posties. If I didn’t know what it was, well, the carpal hands would be a problem for me too, but I’d fiddle and fuddle and faddle till the darned thing clicked. And now I’ve realised I’ve never read any Clive Barker and should stand in the corner.     What's your favorite color? Black on me; also red and white; to look at in nature, the wine dark sea of the southern med.   Any forum buddies Not really : ( . Had some lovely swaps and sales but I’m a bit shy.   Steampunk? No, parboil then roast him, it’s the only way to get his edges crispy.   But yes indeed. Cogs, wheels, archaic time pieces, Victoriana, tales of time travel, exploration and lady inventors in flying goggles.   Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone, and yes there can be multiple people) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? And, of course, if a picnic lunch sounds like a horrible idea, feel free to say so! Ooh, a picnic in Whitby Abbey; with William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant. And there’d be a lot of cake and tea.   Do you like pin up art/images? Yes.   What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions? Over the whole period I will remember lost loved ones and renew personal goals; apple bob with the husband; make cakes; go out dressed up with friends.   What is your favorite flower or plant? Deep, dark, Rose Red roses that have skirts over petticoats over bloomers over unfathomable knickers. Also love lavender, jasmine and honeysuckle.   An anonymous benefactor gives you $500 (or an equivalent amount of money in your currency of choice) with the following stipulations. You must spend all of it within a week: any money left unspent must be returned. You must spend at least half of the money on yourself. You may not use it to pay off debts or bills of any kind. what do you do with the money? My portion would be spent most neatly and exactly spent on a box o books, a box o bpal, a box o chocolates; afternoon tea somewhere; and a visit to a junk shop to buy something cheap and odd, a box maybe. Then I’d take my mum, dad and brother and a few friends out to Maggie’s fish and chip shop, my husband out for an Indian meal and the rest I would split between Sport Relief in support of Eddie Izzard running a gizzillion marathons and to someone random, as an anonymous benefactor.   Duct tape purses and wallets and things are pretty darned cool. Who else thinks so? No idea.   Phobias? My teeth falling out and getting trapped in escalators. I really love clowns so I will lure any balloon-twisting clowns away from the coulrophobic on the board and keep them in my attic.   Favorite candy? Green and Black’s Dark chocolate and cherry; Valrhona bars; Peanut M and Ms; Reeses pieces; Cadbury’s Dairy Milk   Hoarded Halloween Candy? Halloween makes me want to hoard Hokey Pokey, plain and dipped in chocolate. A tooth-stealing orchard of toffee apples would be fun.   Are you a reader? What’s your favourite book/series I need to read all the time: our toilet has an extensive poetry collection on an easily reached shelf, no need to strain when reaching, as twere. Every room in the house has a toppling pile of tomes and shelves that are like huge layer cakes of my beloved books. I get really nervy if I don’t have a number of unread books waiting, and going into a library and coming out with 24 books for three weeks of free reading pleasure sends me into post-orgasmic serenity. I dream of having a labyrinthine library that only I know my way into the centre where The Special Books are. A bit like this, but bigger and with log fires. Yeah, I’m a reader. Favourite book: Perfume, honourable mentions to Bleak House, Brighton Rock, Portrait of the Artist, The Master and Margarita; favourite series: The Dark Materials trilogy, but also love Harry Potter, Narnia and Gormenghast.   Any cooks? Could you use anything cooking related? Aprons? Cookbooks? Measuring Cups? Recipes? Herb/Spice containers? Fancy Spices? Dish Towels? Cocktail napkins? Amazing Beaded Pot Holders? (like from our very own Pottersville! ) Something else? I enjoy baking (though, due to my disabilities, dh has to help me with taking things out of oven, moving anything heavy etc) and would love an apron, I get all floury and dusty. A tablecloth would be great for our little dining table; and fresh spices for Indian or thai food would be most gorgeous.   What was your favourite job ever? My current job: writer and composer. The money is rubbish but the times are good.   How do you scent your home Tarts, reed diffusers, BPAL, candles? Candles, incense, oils in burners and on my brilliant aromastone – snake oil is perfect on it.   How do you take your tea? Black or with cream and/or sugar? Builder’s tea: strong, splash of milk, no sugar; coffee: milk or single cream and one and a half tsp of brown sugar.   Do you believe we control our destiny, or does our destiny control us? I believe we control the decisions we make.   What one thing that is missing from your life would you like to have above all else? Confidence and assurance in my abilities as, well, everything. I get paralysed by doubt.   What's your favorite dessert treat? Valrhona chocolate mousse. Oh yeah. Give me anything smothered in it. Anything.   Are you interested in things like home remedies for ailments, cleaning solutions, etc.? I like any home made balms/oils/remedies for headaches, muscle pain, etc.   Super power? I would dearly love to disapparate and apparate at will. I hate travel time.   If I send you whole spices or coffee beans, would you be able to grind them or would you prefer them preground for your convenience? I don’t have a grinder any more (it sputtered and died, spitting out a mouthful of cumin seeds like lil brown teeth) so ground would be good.   For the tea and coffee drinkers: Opinion on tea- and/or coffee-related accessories/etc? (Teaware, sugar crystals, infusers, tea chests, etc) I love tea ritual paraphernalia in general, in particular I’d love a tea pot trivet to go on my desk.   Do sounds make you happy? What ambient noises make you smile? The sound of the sea always makes me happy and peaceful, water in general in fact. I love the sound of wind chimes and wind in ancient trees and cats purring and the sound of my husband’s key in the door.   when you receive your SW packages...do you like receiving things that are individually wrapped inside? Or unwrapped? Or both? Ooh, I don’t know, but I love unwrapping purty packaging, especially if I can re-use it.   GC you put off ordering because "it'll always be there? Dorian, everytime I knock him off the end of my list, even though I love him and need him and keep using up the tiny bit left in my 4 year old bottle when I don't want to.   What BPAL scent have you never tried but always wanted to? What scent have you tried and LOVED, and haven't been able to get more of and why? My nose matured into loving Snake Oil and all his friends just as Snake Charmer Res. was taken down so I've yet to try SC and I've been a step behind others each time it comes up on swaps/sales. I had the tiniest try of Black Lace, blooming loved it but obviously can't get it!   I know we're all scent sensitive here. What are your favorite non-perfume smells? Day in the life stuff? Autumn air, laundry, the smell of Crete when I get off the plane: dittany, majoram, wild herbs, honey , antiquarian book shops, my cats' fur, husband's hair, wood fires, bread and cakes baking, mulled wine stewing...   In your perfect world it is chocolate and...? An amazing, mind-buggering book that I haven't read yet. With David Tennant bringing in the tea.   For those of us who like chocolate, do you like anything /in/ your chocolate, like fruit, nuts, or for the more daring among us, chilies? Chocolate and chillies is great. Chocolate and most things is great, apart from marzipan. Marzipan gives me the mouth creeps.   Are there any childhood shows/movies/games/books/etc. that still hold a really special place in your heart? The Box of Delights, especially the BBC early 80s television adaptation. I haven't seen it since it was on but it stays with me. Gorgeous and spooky - "the wolves are running". And it had Patrick Troughton in, I adore him. Even thinking about it makes me weepy.   If you do any kind of craft, could you use supplies? What kind? knitting needles, yarn, amazing fabric, pinking shears, cool thimbles or pincushins, jewelery making supplies, beads, etc.? I like making jewellery but don't really know how to! I have dreams of making a charm bracelet for myself. I would love sealing wax and an embossed stamp.   What's your favorite pain-relief remedy or ritual? For horrible aches, I try and have a hot bath with salts then use heated oat thingies or rub URGH/wiccy wiccy massage oil on acheyness but if that doesn't work I take neurofen extra and keep warm. For headaches: GRR and Lilith Victoria.   Do you have a blu-ray player? Nope   What's something you're really looking forward to in the semi-near future? My 9th wedding/14 years together anniversary on October 13th. Hopefully we'll go to a lovely hotel for the night and spoil each other a little. Celebrating 14 years and still being head over heels over head over fluttering stomach is something to look forward to indeed! Am also kinda looking forward to meeting a potential literary agent for tea next saturday, but also terrified.
alexandra

alexandra

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tartchef's Blog
 

SW Random Questions 9/7

An anonymous benefactor gives you $500 (or an equivalent amount of money in your currency of choice) with the following stipulations. You must spend all of it within a week: any money left unspent must be returned. You must spend at least half of the money on yourself. You may not use it to pay off debts or bills of any kind. What do you do with the money?   Duct tape purses and wallets and things are pretty darned cool. Who else thinks so? I don't carry either, so yeah, they're cool, but not for me   Are you an avid reader? What's your favorite book/series? Oh books. Once upon a time when I had a 45-minute train commute each way, I inhaled books. Nowadays, I'm lucky to have 15 minutes a day to read for myself - and it's usually cooking magazines & parenting articles I miss reading desperately, and long for the day when my life slows down enough to allow it again. I try to read Tolkien every year, and am frequently going back over my old Ray Bradbury. Andrea Barrett's Voyage of the Narwhal & Ship Fever, and Sena Naslund's Ahab's Wife have been some books that have blown me away in recent years.   Any cooks? Could you use anything cooking related? Aprons? Cookbooks? Measuring Cups? Recipes? Herb/Spice containers? Fancy Spices? Dish Towels? Cocktail napkins? Amazing Beaded Pot Holders? (like from our very own Pottersville! ) Something else? Oh yeah. I'm a trained pastry chef, and worked the food industry for nearly 20 years. I do free-lance baking & catering from my home now, and have a few much-needed tools on my Amazon wish list. My two aprons are unflattering & utilitarian - I'd love something with a bit more style but that's still functional (a big front pocket for herbs snipped in the garden, no frills/ruffles to drag through fresh buttercream, machine-washable). I love proper British tea towels - the flat cotton/linen weave, not the terrycloth kind. ETA: Oo. Tiny C has been demanding a packed lunch nearly every day. He looooves sushi, and I have been eyeing some egg & rice molds to jazz things up, as well as some of the kawaii bento books. Some tiny cookie cutters in car/truck/plane shapes would be superawesome, too...   Who likes coloring books? I love Dover Publications, esp anything botanical or historic...
tartchef

tartchef

0
tartchef's Blog
 

SW Random questions 9/5 & 6

Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone, and yes there can be multiple people) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? And, of course, if a picnic lunch sounds like a horrible idea, feel free to say so! Oo. Can I have two? The first would be DH & Tiny C & our friends M & J & their little guy & C & E & their three girls - a big kid-friendly picnic. We'd find a grassy area overlooking a nice sandy beach - it'd be a New England summer day, not too hot. The food would be straight out of Donna Hay - pressed loaf sandwiches, bahn mi, grape leaves, pasties, brioche pockets, raspberry coconut slice, a big jar of lemonade, G&Ts for the big people. There would be kites & coloring books & digging in the sand, and shoes would be forbidden. We'd spread out on old cotton quilts & watch the birds sail overhead...   The second would be also on the beach, but at dusk, with a pit fire. In attendance: Tom Waits, Georgia O'Keefe, Kate Winslet, & a bunch of goofy indie rock boys. Tom & Georgia would get intensely drunk & sit around the fire thrashing out The Artist's Way. The boys would be off in the distance cavorting & doing stupid boy tricks. And Kate & I would get tipsy & cuddly & lie with our heads together & look at the stars & talk like we were 14...   Do you like pinup art/images? Not a rabid fan, but I do appreciate some artful curves   Who are your BPAL forum buddies? You know, people I could conspire with to Witch you! Hoo boy. You'd have MORE than willing accomplices in zankoku_zen, Wwindy, Apple & ifinena. They are all deliciously evil & I love them   What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions? Once I get John the Baptist's head on its way We'll get Tiny C dressed up, and he & DH will make the neighborhood rounds with the rest of the kids & dads - we moms sit on the porches & dole out candy. I demand a song or dance from the older kids! Some of the offerings are pretty entertaining   You're in the kitchen at the end of a pay period and groceries are pretty scarce. Do you take the five ingredients you find first and make something fabulous, or do you order take out? Depends on time, mood & what I've got. We've ordered sushi faaar too often recently. I am the queen of making something out of nothing, though.   If you could decorate/redecorate any 1 room in your home, what would it be and how would you decorate it? The bathroom - it needs a complete gutting, down to the studs, so it's a long-term project. When we finally re-do it, I WILL have a decent bath tub. A clawfoot would be lovely, but I'd settle for a nice deep cast iron & enamel inset tub. I'd love to put in original tile, too - something in jade/verdigris green, with gingko or oak leaves. I love those really heavy wood ice-box-style medicine cabinets - big & square with a beveled mirror... A square sink on chrome legs, a corner shelf for wall storage, and a small wood bench with a box for towels under the seat.   Not that I've thought this out, or anything   Any rabid sports fans out there? What teams do you root for? DH quietly helped me fall in love with baseball, and I am a White Sox fan, do or die. I'll watch rugby, footie, cricket... just don't ask me the rules   What's your favorite animal? (You can have more than one.) BIRDS. Especially impossibly tiny songbirds. Wrens are my absolute favorite, but I also love chickadees, English robins, nuthatches, warblers, barn swallows... I am a nerdy birdie DH & Tiny C are both partial to penguins. This is how the world ends... zombie apocalypse, robot uprising, alien invasion, return of the elder gods... which doomsday scenario do you prefer (or make your own!)?   In the year 2525... if man is still alive... what sort of future do you imagine? (apologies to anyone who gets that song stuck in their head!)   Do you believe in magic (or magick, if you prefer)? What does it mean to you?   If you found the puzzle box from Hellraiser, what would you do with it? ( and would you be able to resist playing with it? icon_cool.gif ) Er, whut?   What's your favorite candy to stock up on at Halloween? I can eat my weight in candy corn. The classic stuff, not the abomination known as Indian corn. And not the pumpkins - there's something not right in the texture... Anything peanut butter + chocolate isn't safe from me, either.   What is your favourite flower (or plant)? Oh man. Not fair. Cut flower? Freesias. Potted plant? My Red Cross & burgundy oxalis. Garden plant? Too many to pick a top favorite - I love bleeding heart, columbine, crocuses, narcissus, peonies, grape hyacinth, lobelia, harebells... if you can imagine it in an English garden, I'm probably a fan.   What are your phobias? No real phobias, but I am a little anal retentive when it comes to my hands. I hatehatehate having sticky hands. Hey, good thing I was a pastry chef, huh? It does mean I'm fussy about hand lotions - anything greasy or heavy is right out.
tartchef

tartchef

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schackjj's Blog
 

Halloween '09 SW

Uploaded through 9/17 (answered questions in bold; updated q's in red) Questions duplicative of questionnaire deleted   Crafting ~ For the crafty people out there: would you prefer something crafted or crafting supplies? What kind? knitting needles, yarn, amazing fabric, pinking shears, cool thimbles or pincushins, jewelery making supplies, beads, etc.? NOT crafty Who are your favorite artists/illustrators/art periods? So, who has a store or ETSY shop or knows of a shop of a fellow BPALer that everybody needs to check out? N/A   What If ~ If you had the funds to comission an original painting for yourself, what would it be of? What would it be like- colors, size, style? What fictional character do you most identify with and why? Super power? Go back in time What GC scent have you been putting off getting since it'll "always be there"? Phobos, Eclipse, Bordello (to age) Are there any childhood shows/movies/games/books/etc. that still hold a really special place in your heart? Do you believe we control our destiny, or does our destiny control us? We control What one thing that is missing from your life would you like to have above all else? RL friends What was your favouritest job ever, and why? My first paralegal job; I was so enthusiastic, and I had a terrific boss, very sweet guy Which three albums would you take to your apocalypse bolt hole and how would you power the generator? answered on-thread An anonymous benefactor gives you $500 (or an equivalent amount of money in your currency of choice) with the following stipulations. You must spend all of it within a week: any money left unspent must be returned. You must spend at least half of the money on yourself. You may not use it to pay off debts or bills of any kind. What do you do with the money? This is how the world ends... zombie apocalypse, robot uprising, alien invasion, return of the elder gods... which doomsday scenario do you prefer (or make your own!)? We might get a little mercy from the elder gods! In the year 2525... if man is still alive... what sort of future do you imagine? I suspect we'll be around, but struggling for survival due to our stupidity and failure to take care of the earth If you found the puzzle box from Hellraiser, what would you do with it? (and would you be able to resist playing with it?) I had to research this, never having heard of the movie - not surprising considering I detest horror flicks. That said, I'd try to solve it ONLY if I didn't know what was inside. But my chances wouldn't be that good, I'm much better with mental puzzles. Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone, and yes there can be multiple people) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? I adore picnics! We used to go on them when I was growing up, all the time in the summer. The food is unimportant, it's the company. Imagine that you're given a shoebox-sized time capsule, and you are asked to put any number of items in the box that symbolize who you are. The items can be may be anything you can imagine, and money is no object, but they must fit within the box. Which items do you choose? You're given the opportunity to apprentice at any trade (or craft) of your choosing for the period of one year. Your mentor may be any currently living person. Which field of study would you choose, and who would be your mentor? Which of the seven deadly sins is most likely to be your undoing? Sloth, no question. Greed would be a runner up. If Beth made a perfume called "switch witch" what notes would be in it?   Food etc. ~ What's your stance on cranberries? in all forms You're at home, or out, and you want a snack. Something that will get you through to the next meal, or through to the end of school or what ever. What do you grab? microwave popcorn What is your favorite Candy? What candy do you hate? fruit gumdrops, good caramels; I detest black licorice What kind of coffee do you like? not picky, but I like flavored & drink it with cream For those of us who like chocolate, do you like anything /in/ your chocolate, like fruit, nuts, or for the more daring among us, chilies? If I send you whole spices or coffee beans, would you be able to grind them or would you prefer them preground for your convenience? I have a coffee grinder but not a spice grinder For the tea and coffee drinkers: Opinion on tea- and/or coffee-related accessories/etc? (Teaware, sugar crystals, infusers, tea chests, etc) How do you take your coffee (or tea)? Black or with cream and/or sugar? Coffee with cream only. Tea plain, only in cold weather or when I'm sick. Restaurants you'd like a gift certificate to on Restaurant.com? Anything in San Antonio; we don't go out to dinner much. Helping out the kids, y'know. In your perfect world it is chocolate and...? What's your favorite dessert treat? Ice cream? Cake? Pie? Fudge brownie cake with pie flavored ice cream on top? I adore custard or flan but rarely get it. Second best is vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries. Any cooks? Could you use anything cooking related? Aprons? Cookbooks? Measuring Cups? Recipes? Herb/Spice containers? Fancy Spices? Dish Towels? Cocktail napkins? Amazing Beaded Pot Holders? Something else? What's your favorite candy to stock up on at Halloween? You're in the kitchen at the end of a pay period and groceries are pretty scarce. Do you take the five ingredients you find first and make something fabulous, or do you order take out? Takeout's not an option where I live, LOL. We usually go the lazy route, sadly, and everyone fends for themselves. Are roasted pumpkin seeds and home made chex mix the best fall snack foods, or what? Pumpkin seeds I've had haven't been very good; chex mix is ok but caramel apples are best Whats your burger preference? Veggie,meat or ???? Grilled beef or venison burger w/onions, tomatoes, ketchup & maybe pickles, mmm What other hot beverages everyone likes for fall? Cider if I run across some, but never make it myself What sort of odd or regional foods do you crave? I REALLY miss lemon curd, lime curd too (harder to find). And turkey jerky (I keep trying make it, but it's tricky).Do you mind artificial colors in your food? Are there any foreign food products that you'd love to get or to try? Tea lovers, loose or bag? What are your favorite fruits? What is your favorite cookie type?   Beliefs ~ Does anyone have any symbols they consider to be personally significant or talismanic? sorry, no Are there any Gods, Goddess, or other mythological figures of whom you're particularly fond? How do you feel about Dia de los Muertos? Are you interested in sugar skulls? Catrina (or other) skeleton figurines? I think this is a wonderful holiday; I've never even SEEN a sugar skull, would love to get some! Do you believe in magic (or magick, if you prefer)? What does it mean to you? I believe in miracles, more or less the same. If I were your witch, and I wanted to make you a spell or mojo bag, would you be into that? And, if you were, would you want it for something like love, prosperity or luck? Or would you want it for a certain element? Or would you want it for something more personal- and what might that be?   Favorites n Wishes ~ Do you have a favorite poem or poet? Poetry's not my thing, HS kinda ruined it for me Can you use pill boxes, a hard ID case, coin purse, etc? no Any songs you are desperately into at the moment? not right now, but PLEASE feel free to expand my horizons! What's your favorite product(s) at Trader Joe's? never been to one Any Amy Brown art fans? How do you feel about Halloween music? (mix CDs, what have you) LOVE it Who else is reeeeeally looking forward to Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland? Is there a store that you love which does not have a location near you (but that has a physical presence somewhere, not just online? Why do you love it so much? Could you use a 'travel' imp case? How many should it hold? have one, wait, two What kind of socks? NOT toe socks, bleah, and not a real fan of wool, otherwise love 'em all May I help you fill out your costuming wardrobe (assuming you costume)? Are there articles you are seeking to enhance your a) Halloween costume, Renfest attire, c) Cosplay, d) Steampunk accouterment? Do you mind receiving used (in good condition, of course) CDs or DVDs? oh yeah! Do you have a crush on anyone famous? Do you have a crush on any literary characters? Would you like fanfiction or fan art based on this/these people? no fanfic or fan art pls Are there any decants from the Halloweenies, Literary Vampires, Gris Grimly, or Hellboy that you would be interested in receiving? see WL Do you have any objections to receiving downloads? Is your internet connection fast enough for you to download large files like music easily? no & not really Are there any songs, albums, movies, or TV shows that you can't find/haven't been released that you want? yes, I don't have cable; TV: Vampire Diaries, Warehouse 13. Movies: ? (will update). Songs: (?) How do you scent your home: tarts, reed diffusers, BPAL, candles? tarts mostly, generally from Alternative Breeding, he's an artist with mixing scents Are you interested in things like home remedies for ailments, cleaning solutions, etc.? no Duct tape purses and wallets and things are pretty darned cool. Who else thinks so? not me Who likes coloring books? meh Do you like pinup art/images? YES! see WL Is anyone playing this round of SW into ABJ? (asian ball jointed dolls) A beginner's interest, tried to join the forum but couldn't Any other steampunk fans/lovers? yup, but don't think I can carry it off, maybe I'd do better w/victorian flavored? I like that a lot too, maybe a bit more If you have a pet, what kind of gifts would be good for them? My cat loves catnip (and he's fat so anything that gets him moving is GREAT) Do you like socks? Blankets? Wrist warmers? Arm warmers? Headband? Shawl? Or what kind of knitted thing would you love the most? a lap robe or throw kind of thing? A shawl would be cool too, but I wouldn't use it as much Interested in locally produced products? Food, skincare or both?Olive oil? Lavender oils or soaps? YESYESYES to all but lavender anything Does anyone in here wear a lot of dangly earrings or collect pendants of all kinds?? How about hair clips or pony tail band things? Would a "gift" donation to one of the organizations/causes you support be a great gift, or a lame gift? Do you like Villainess soaps? What are your favorite scents? tried 2, they didn't work very well for me Who wants hair pretties?(headbands, barrettes, pony-o's, scrunchies, bobby pins, hair clips, etc) If you were my witchee, would you like any of the scents/sizes that are available on clearance (candles)? I am on an origami crane kick recently, so I wonder if anyone will be interested in origami crane earrings, origami crane in a glass vial (~1.2cm wide) phone charm/pendant or just a container filled with cranes of different sizes. not really (I really like paper stars, but even with detailed directions I can't make them!!) How do you feel about clothing/accessories made from animals? Anti-fur, leather, shells, etc.? Does even faux wig you out? see thread Who is musically inclined? What instruments (voice counts) do you play? Would you enjoy sheet music? not me Anyone want a nickname and embroidered headband from PandaBite? nope I have seen a lot of yankee candles haters...... do you or don't you, and if not, what candles do you like? this assumes you like candles. otherwise, what specific home fragrance do you use? Not my fave co., their stuff is sort of...single note? Though I'd use it happily if I got it! Do you wear lip gloss/lip balm? If so, what flavors/scents?   Random ~ What's autumn like in your neck of the woods? What do you love and/or hate about it? There isn't any. It just gradually gets cooler. And that's what I hate. I miss autumn. If your witch were to either write something for you or put together a collection of ghost stories, would you rather have it in writing, recorded as an oral telling, or both? Either would be a lovely personal gift What's something you're really looking forward to in the semi-near future? What is your favorite creepy folk story or legend? Lolcats....yea or nay? the site is good for a laugh. The language = baby talk As a witchee, would you prefer to have many little packages sent to you throughout the round with a not-so-big final package or fewer things throughout the round with one huge final package to seal the sweetness? What is your idea of the perfect evening at home? How often do you update your wishlist? every week or so? Do you have a favorite bpal bottle art? nope, I'm into the contents Do you have a Blu-Ray player? nope Are you interested in things like home remedies for ailments, cleaning solutions, etc.? not really Do sounds make you happy? What ambient noises make you smile? What's your favorite pain-relief remedy or ritual? When you receive your SW packages...do you like receiving things that are individually wrapped inside? or unwrapped? or both? wrapped makes me happy, but whatever works for my witch! Of course, we're all going to be grateful no matter what our witches give us, but for the record, what is your anti-present? Tell us something that you think your future witch might give you that you absolutely, unequivocally DO. NOT. WANT. see thread What BPAL scent have you never tried but always wanted to? What scent have you tried and LOVED, and haven't been able to get more of and why? I know we're all scent sensitive here. What are your favorite non-perfume smells? Day in the life stuff? What are your phobias? What is your favourite flower (or plant)? If you could decorate/redecorate any 1 room in your home, what would it be and how would you decorate it? Any rabid sports fans out there? What teams do you root for? Vikings but not rabid. They do need all the fans they can get though. What's your favorite animal? (You can have more than one.) What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions? None yet. We used to hand out candy but we live so remote now that we don't get trick or treaters Who are your BPAL forum buddies? You know, people I could conspire with to Witch you! see thread What is your favorite Halloween icon? Lots - bats, black cats Whats your favorite childhood toy? paper dolls Do you Tweet? What is your Twitter name? northpolejo but I don't really use it & you don't want to know my unvarnished opinion Are you on Ravelry? What is your Ravelry name? nope Are you involved in any long-term, ambitious project? something like decorating your house or saving for a trip to the other end of the world, for example. What are everyone's favorite Halloween-y/Autumn-y/spooky movies? Are there any you don't own but would like to? Hocus Pocus is an annual tradition; I really liked Nightmare Corpse Bride (don't have it). Edit: Oops! I've never seen Nightmare! HP & Practical Magic are the only ones I have & Practical Magic isn't that good. How do you feel about ghost stories? I like ghost stories, but I don't seek them out Did you order anything from the most recent update? Poes & cakes Vampires or Werewolves? Or some other monster? nah Any Gamers here? What kind? Board games? RPG? Miniature? MMORPG? no How do you deal with stress? What's your favorite way to unwind? I cry. Take a bath. Favorite musicals? Paint Your Wagon, Seven Brides...lots. I'd love to see new ones though. I've never seen Wicked, Rent. Would you object to anonomous postcards (real ones) from your witch before the big reveal??? Do you like to find out there's a package on the way or to receive a tracking number to stalk, or do you prefer surprise packages? Do you drink alcohol? Wine, beer or liquor? What is your favorite wine/beer/mixed drink? What is one thing you constantly keep with you that you constantly lose? see thread
schackjj

schackjj

1
Sheyona's Blog
 

Fall09 SW ?'s part 2

Any cooks? Could you use anything cooking related? Aprons? Cookbooks? Measuring Cups? Recipes? Herb/Spice containers? Fancy Spices? Dish Towels? Cocktail napkins? Amazing Beaded Pot Holders? (like from our very own Pottersville! ) Something else? I can always use cooking measuring tools. My husband loses them. I only have three mixing bowls so those would be nice. Hot-pads and dishtowels are nice because those always end up the last thing washed when my husband does the laundry so they kinda get... well... I have two shelves of cookbooks but good ones are always nice. I need another cookie sheet because it's a pain to make cookies and have to wait till i can offload one load before cooking the other. I have been dreaming of getting a springform pan for a while but it's not in the budgeting for now. As for spices and salts i'll take it as long as it is not spicy. I have very gringo taste buds. No tolerence for the heat.   Are you an avid reader? What's your favorite book/series? I'm interested in eventually getting a MLIS.... I would have to say that avid is putting it mildly. That being said i can't claim any one series as the favorite. I grew up really liking the darkover series and xanth series. Nowadays i've been really interested in the vorkosigan series and the honnor harrington series. And lets not even go into my favorites among graphic novels and non-fiction.   What's your favorite candy to stock up on at Halloween? I don't tend to stock up on halloween candy, I tend to stock up on cadbury eggs at easter.   What are your phobias? Needles and large dogs. Some minor claustrophobia mostly caused by cloth over my face (side affect of being 5 miles from the epicenter of the northridge earthquake)   What is your favourite flower (or plant)? Lavendar. it's also my favorite scent   Duct tape purses and wallets and things are pretty darned cool. Who else thinks so? They are interesting but i wouldnt use them.   An anonymous benefactor gives you $500 (or an equivalent amount of money in your currency of choice) with the following stipulations. You must spend all of it within a week: any money left unspent must be returned. You must spend at least half of the money on yourself. You may not use it to pay off debts or bills of any kind. What do you do with the money? Well i'd buy another 1-2 of my favorite dress. (http://www.tiendaholics.com/displayproduct.php?item=dd0016) I'd use the other part to stock up on food for my cat and pre-pay some of her vet costs.   You're in the kitchen at the end of a pay period and groceries are pretty scarce. Do you take the five ingredients you find first and make something fabulous, or do you order take out? If it's that bad we wouldnt have the funds for take out. So i'd toss together what i have and hope that my husband doesnt aspie twig out about things in it.   If you could decorate/redecorate any 1 room in your home, what would it be and how would you decorate it? If i had a house i could really decorate (instead of an apartment) I would re-do the bedroom to have a compass rose on the celing, it would have a waterbed and assloads of bookshelves. Plus there would be a place for my husband's NES collection and telly so he can play the cartriges on his top-loader.   Any rabid sports fans out there? What teams do you root for? not rabidly interested in sports.   What's your favorite animal? (You can have more than one.) I love cats big and small. I like snakes.   This is how the world ends... zombie apocalypse, robot uprising, alien invasion, return of the elder gods... which doomsday scenario do you prefer (or make your own!)? sadly my thought is massive plague.   In the year 2525... if man is still alive... what sort of future do you imagine? (apologies to anyone who gets that song stuck in their head!) I imagine we'll be out in space by then.   Do you believe in magic (or magick, if you prefer)? What does it mean to you? Yes. I can't explain.   If you found the puzzle box from Hellraiser, what would you do with it? ( and would you be able to resist playing with it? ) I'd look for someone like constantine to take it off my hands and deal with it in a maner i would not be able to.
Sheyona

Sheyona

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Sheyona's Blog
 

SW Questions for fall09 post 1

(note... If i felt i couldn't or didnt feel comfortable answering a question i ommited it)   Whats your favorite pie, my dear SW's? I make a mean pear and apple pie. I like apple pies, lemon icebox pies (no merangue) and of curse pumpkin and squah pies are very good this time of year.   What kinda socks ar you wearing tonight? I'm at home so no socks   Do you like socks? Blankets? Wrist warmers? Arm warmers? Headband? Shawl? Or what kind of knitted thing would you love the most? I like socks, blankets, shawls and the like. arm warmers and legwarmers tend to slouch in a way that annoys my aspie sensitivites. I would love a blue knitted shawl to match my blue moroccan dress.   How do you feel about ghost stories? Do you like to tell the old tales around a campfire? Read true accounts on the web way past your bedtime? Do you like to pick up a good anthology of Poe stories on a blustery day? Or is all that too scary for you? I an not fond of scary.   Coffee or Tea? Tea... coffee is an abomination.... (no offense intended to coffee lovers) No smoky teas or teas with bergamont though.   Local products? yes.... love to go to my local farmers/saturday market..   Fave historical period? well hmmm the medieval era i'd have to say   Does anyone in here wear a lot of dangly earrings or collect pendants of all kinds?? How about hair clips or pony tail band things? I don't tend to wear much in the way of jewelry. just studs and rings in my ears. I am however looking for some sort of finding/pendant that i can use to make my ABJ an art deco dress. Also I have very long hair. Hair clips, hair sticks, and hairbands are wonderous things.   Did you order anything from the most recent update? no... I need to save my money and what with being preggers i prolly shouldnt be risking trying new scents on.   Hot beverages other than tea/coffee? cocoa! And hot cider. hot toddies are also nice but i'm off them for now.   Any Gamers here? What kind? Board games? RPG? Miniature? MMORPG? I play Dnd third ed. I also play a lot of card and board games like the game of real life (localy produced creative knockoff), SPANC, Devil bunny needs a ham, Chez Geek.... My husband grew up on playing DnD. His mother created a variant version of first ed which was a hoot to see played. He also has some dragon dice from the box set which sit in a place of honor in our house.   Lavendar? Oh yeah! I love it so much that my wedding bouquet was only lavendar.   Olive oils? I like a lot of cooking oils. I'm currently using coconut oil for making popcorn and the like. I do use olive oil but not prone to making vinagrettes so some of the flavours of an artisan one may very well be lost on me.   Is anyone playing this round of SW into ABJ? (asian ball jointed dolls) I am. I have a BBB Lan who sits in a place of honor in my livingroom. (on a shelf the cat's cant get to)   Imagine that you're given a shoebox-sized time capsule, and you are asked to put any number of items in the box that symbolize who you are. The items can be may be anything you can imagine, and money is no object, but they must fit within the box. Which items do you choose? Well a picture of me any my husband. A picture of my family. A picture of my cat. A puki who has been bewigged and begowned in a SCA outfit. A list of all of the books currently on my shelves. 3 cheepass games. and a palmtop with all my music and videorecordings of me introducing myself.   Are you involved in any long-term, ambitious project? something like decorating your house or saving for a trip to the other end of the world, for example. well i'm gestating. I'm trying to get my BS so i can get a MLIS. I'm in a marriage. I also need to finish the quilting on the double wedding ring quilt that i pieced by hand.   Favorite kind or take out kinda burger? Whats your burger preference? Veggie,meat or ???? I've always had a fondness for CJ's even if their comercials make me upset.   If you have a pet, what kind of gifts would be good for them? I have an epileptic cat. She loves greenie treats and jingle balls. She eats innova evo and canned no colour added gooshy food.   Do you Tweet? What is your Twitter name? nope   Are you on Ravelry? What is your Ravelry name? nope   Do you like pinup art/images? I like it but i have no real place to hang them so it wouldnt be much use to get any   What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions? My husband is pagan and will be saying farewell to those lost in the last year. I like to go to the local rocky horror holloween showing. Until it became to obvious that i was too old i liked to go out trick or treating (hey... next year i can take the baby trick or treating....)   Who are your BPAL forum buddies? You know, people I could conspire with to Witch you! Well eowin was my last witch and she did a decent job. Gwydion knows me in real life and people can request to ask my hubby's help in witching me if neccesary.   Any other steampunk fans/lovers? I like the aesthetic but i know i would not rock the clothing styles.   Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone, and yes there can be multiple people) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? And, of course, if a picnic lunch sounds like a horrible idea, feel free to say so! Hmmm this one requires thought. I know enough about the geek social falacies to not say that all of my friends should be at this picknick. I think it might just end up being me and my husband out at the japanese gardens up in portland with scones and clotted cream, tea sammiches, little tartlets, and a magical always warm pot tea. It would be slightly misty enough so my husband would be enjoying the weather but not so much that my glasses would get covered in water.
Sheyona

Sheyona

0
ralenth's Switch Witch help!
 

Switch Witch - Halloween 2009 Question list

******9/18***** If Beth made a perfume called "switch witch" what notes would be in it?   What is your favorite cookie type?   Alcohol? Yes, please. My SO doesn't drink, so we don't often have much in the way of alcohol in the house. I'm a big fan of red wines, port and dark ales. I'm coming around on lighter ones too now. DC/non-DC? I don't need a DC. I already know you're thinking of me. <3   Anyone ready for the new carnaval update? Noooo. I am in denial. I still haven't even tried acts four and five yet. Too many updates.   What is one thing you constantly keep with you that you constantly lose? Lip balm. I swear, it just loves to play hide and seek. I think it's the kitties, to be honest.   ******9/17***** Are you into 80s movies (like i am ) if so, which are your favorites and who are your favorite characters? Yes! I grew up watching them. The campier, the better! I almost named our kitten Mogwai.   Do you like Villainess soaps? What are your favorite scents? I like their smooches and whippeds, but not the soaps. My favorite scents are Quick or Dead and Paradise Misplaced.   Do you mind artificial colors in your food? I prefer to avoid them.   Who wants hair pretties?(headbands, barrettes, pony-o's, scrunchies, bobby pins, hair clips, etc) I have short, fine hair. I like barrettes and thin headbands (no teeth please). I can always use more, as long as they're not too heavy.   Big Dipper Wax Works: If you were my witchee, would you like any of the scents/sizes that are available on clearance? No thanks.   I am on an origami crane kick recently, so I wonder if anyone will be interested in origami crane earrings, origami crane in a glass vial (~1.2cm wide) phone charm/pendant or just a container filled with cranes of different sizes.   How do you feel about clothing/accessories made from animals? Anti-fur, leather, shells, etc.? Does even faux wig you out?   How do you deal with stress? What's your favorite way to unwind?   You're given the opportunity to apprentice at any trade (or craft) of your choosing for the period of one year. Your mentor may be any currently living person. Which field of study would you choose, and who would be your mentor?   What are your favorite fruits? Pomegranates   ******9/16***** Who is musically inclined? What instruments (voice counts) do you play? Would you enjoy sheet music? Me! I play several low brass instruments and the Bb clarinet as well. No sheet music, though, please.   Favorite musicals?   Which of the seven deadly sins is most likely to be your undoing?   Anyone want a nickname and embroidered headband from PandaBite? Not really? I do love headbands, but I don't want a name on one.   I have seen a lot of yankee candles haters..... personally i like yankee candle (some of them, anyway). do you or don't you, and if not, what candles do you like? this assumes you like candles. otherwise, what specific home fragrance do you use? No, thank you. I don't do much for home fragrance other than occasional BPTP spray. The kitties make faces. I swear, they do!   Would a "gift" donation to one of the organizations/causes you support be a great gift, or a lame gift?   ******9/15***** Does anyone have any symbols they consider to be personally significant or talismanic? The phoenix, the raven.   Are there any Gods, Goddess, or other mythological figures of whom you're particularly fond? I used to teach a comparative myth class. I'm not particularly drawn to any god/goddess, but I do love trickster tales. Is it any wonder that American Gods is my favorite recent novel?   Super villain or vigilante? Which would you like to be? Which would you like to receive? I can have a super villain of my very own? Please send me John Simm.   What mythical or fantastic race of creatures (dragons, unicorns, griffins, elves, dwarves, faeries, etc.) do you most identify with, and why?   How do you feel about Dia de los Muertos? Are you interested in sugar skulls? Catrina (or other) skeleton figurines? DDLM is my favorite holiday all year. I am a wee bit obsessed.   Do you have a favorite poem or poet?   ******9/14***** For the crafty people out there: would you prefer something crafted or crafting supplies?   Can you use pill boxes, a hard ID case, coin purse, etc?   Any songs you are desperately into at the moment?   What's autumn like in your neck of the woods? What do you love and/or hate about it?   What's your favorite product(s) at Trader Joe's?   If you're caught in front of the tv, what are you watching?   Any Amy Brown art fans?   How do you feel about Halloween music? (mix CDs, what have you)   Who else is reeeeeally looking forward to Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland?   Is there a store that you love which does not have a location near you (but that has a physical presence somewhere, not just online? Why do you love it so much?   Lolcats....yeah or nay?   What is your favorite creepy folk story or legend?   If your witch were to either write something for you or put together a collection of ghost stories, would you rather have it in writing, recorded as an oral telling, or both?   If you had the funds to comission an original painting for yourself, what would it be of? What would it be like- colors, size, style?   ******9/12-13***** What's something you're really looking forward to in the semi-near future?   What fictional character do you most identify with and why?   Could you use a 'travel' imp case? How many should it hold?   As a witchee, would you prefer to have many little packages sent to you throughout the round with a not-so-big final package or fewer things throughout the round with one huge final package to seal the sweetness? What is your idea of the perfect evening at home?   Are you on any social networks (MySpace, Twitter, LJ, Facebook, Bebo, etc)? If so, make with the links! Are you open to new friends?   What kind of socks?   How often do you update your wishlist?   May I help you fill out your costuming wardrobe (assuming you costume)? Are there articles you are seeking to enhance your a) Halloween costume, Renfest attire, c) Cosplay, d) Steampunk accouterment?   So, who has a store or ETSY shop or knows of a shop of a fellow BPALer that everybody needs to check out? Not me.   Who are your favorite artists/illustrators/art periods?   What's your stance on cranberries?   Do you mind receiving used (in good condition, of course) CDs or DVDs?   Do you have a crush on anyone famous? Do you have a crush on any literary characters? Would you like fanfiction or fan art based on this/these people?   You're at home, or out, and you want a snack. Something that will get you through to the next meal, or through to the end of school or what ever. What do you grab?   Do you have a favorite bpal bottle art?   Are there any decants from the Halloweenies, Literary Vampires, Gris Grimly, or Hellboy that you would be interested in receiving? Please, no. The horde of bottles in my dining room attest to the fact that I do not need decants. Ever. I do, however, need a team of flying monkeys to get them out the door.   ******9/11***** There has been a lot of talk about chocolate, but none about Candy! What is your favorite Candy? What candy do you hate? I don't eat a lot of candy, but I have been crazing Twizzlers. Someone sent some minis to me recently and sparked a craving.   I do not like peanut butter flavored or filled candy. Oh, and beet candy if it exists. Please don't be sending that.   Do you have a Blu-Ray player? We will soon!   Do you have any objections to receiving downloads? Is your internet connection fast enough for you to download large files like music easily? Are there any songs, albums, movies, or TV shows that you can't find/haven't been released that you want? In short, Arr!   ******9/10***** Are you interested in things like home remedies for ailments, cleaning solutions, etc.? Yes! I am very chemically sensitive, so these natural goodies please me greatly.   If you do any kind of craft, could you use supplies? What kind? knitting needles, yarn, amazing fabric, pinking shears, cool thimbles or pincushins, jewelery making supplies, beads, etc.?   What's your favorite pain-relief remedy or ritual?   Do sounds make you happy? What ambient noises make you smile?   When you receive your SW packages...do you like receiving things that are individually wrapped inside? or unwrapped? or both?   Of course, we're all going to be grateful no matter what our witches give us, but for the record, what is your anti-present? Tell us something that you think your future witch might give you that you absolutely, unequivocally DO. NOT. WANT.   What BPAL scent have you never tried but always wanted to? What scent have you tried and LOVED, and haven't been able to get more of and why?   I know we're all scent sensitive here. What are your favorite non-perfume smells? Day in the life stuff?   Coffee drinkers, what types of beans to you like? Kona, Sumatra, Kenya..etc. How do you like them roasted? Do you like flavors, such as hazelnut, vanilla, etc. in your coffee?   Who has a birthday falling in this round?   For those of us who like chocolate, do you like anything /in/ your chocolate, like fruit, nuts, or for the more daring among us, chilies?   Are there any childhood shows/movies/games/books/etc. that still hold a really special place in your heart?   ******9/9***** Super power?   If I send you whole spices or coffee beans, would you be able to grind them or would you prefer them preground for your convenience?   For the tea and coffee drinkers: Opinion on tea- and/or coffee-related accessories/etc? (Teaware, sugar crystals, infusers, tea chests, etc)How do you take your coffee (or tea)? Black or with cream and/or sugar?   Restaurants you'd like a gift certificate to on Restaurant.com?   In your perfect world it is chocolate and...?   How do you scent your home: tarts, reed diffusers, BPAL, candles?   What's your favorite dessert treat? Ice cream? Cake? Pie? Fudge brownie cake with pie flavored ice cream on top? Mochi. Mmm. Oh, and rice candy   Do you believe we control our destiny, or does our destiny control us?   What one thing that is missing from your life would you like to have above all else?   ******9/8***** What was your favouritest job ever, and why? Baking cakes for friends' weddings. I think the why is obvious.   Which three albums would you take to your apocalypse bolt hole and how would you power the generator?   What GC scent have you been putting off getting since it'll "always be there"?   ******9/7***** Any cooks? Could you use anything cooking related? Aprons? Cookbooks? Measuring Cups? Recipes? Herb/Spice containers? Fancy Spices? Dish Towels? Cocktail napkins? Amazing Beaded Pot Holders? (like from our very own Pottersville! ) Something else?   Are you an avid reader? What's your favorite book/series?   What's your favorite candy to stock up on at Halloween?   What are your phobias?   What is your favourite flower (or plant)?   Duct tape purses and wallets and things are pretty darned cool. Who else thinks so?   An anonymous benefactor gives you $500 (or an equivalent amount of money in your currency of choice) with the following stipulations. You must spend all of it within a week: any money left unspent must be returned. You must spend at least half of the money on yourself. You may not use it to pay off debts or bills of any kind. What do you do with the money?   ******9/6***** You're in the kitchen at the end of a pay period and groceries are pretty scarce. Do you take the five ingredients you find first and make something fabulous, or do you order take out? I get inventive! I don't stock a deep pantry as I try to avoid preservatives, but I can always manage to generate a few meals out of it, even when it looks bleak.   If you could decorate/redecorate any 1 room in your home, what would it be and how would you decorate it? I just got the go ahead to decorate our living room with a skeleton theme. Thanks, BPTP, for giving me the excuse I needed to make my case! Any rabid sports fans out there? What teams do you root for?   What's your favorite animal? (You can have more than one.)   This is how the world ends... zombie apocalypse, robot uprising, alien invasion, return of the elder gods... which doomsday scenario do you prefer (or make your own!)?   In the year 2525... if man is still alive... what sort of future do you imagine? (apologies to anyone who gets that song stuck in their head!)   Do you believe in magic (or magick, if you prefer)? What does it mean to you?   If you found the puzzle box from Hellraiser, what would you do with it? ( and would you be able to resist playing with it? )   ******9/5***** Do you like pinup art/images?   What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions?   Who are your BPAL forum buddies? You know, people I could conspire with to Witch you!   What is your favorite color?   Any other steampunk fans/lovers?   Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone, and yes there can be multiple people) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? And, of course, if a picnic lunch sounds like a horrible idea, feel free to say so!   ******9/4***** Any Gamers here? What kind? Board games? RPG? Miniature? MMORPG? Yes. I like card games, board games, and MMORPGs. I used to like to paint miniatures, but I never really got into playing with them.   Is anyone playing this round of SW into ABJ? (asian ball jointed dolls) Not me! They look neat, but I would fail at sewing.   What is your favorite Halloween icon? It's a tossup between owls and bats.   Imagine that you're given a shoebox-sized time capsule, and you are asked to put any number of items in the box that symbolize who you are. The items can be may be anything you can imagine, and money is no object, but they must fit within the box. Which items do you choose? My tattered childhood Greek myths book, my favorite black kitty ears headband, a sonic screwdriver replica and my library card.   Are you involved in any long-term, ambitious project? something like decorating your house or saving for a trip to the other end of the world, for example. I just got the go-ahead to decorate the living room in a skeleton theme! Woo!   Favorite kind or take out kinda burger? Whats your burger preference? Veggie,meat or ???? Patty melt from this local place called Hungry Hound. Delicious, heart attack. Mmm...   Whats your favorite childhood toy? I used to have a stuffed baby orange tiger named Pumpkin that I dragged everywhere.   If you have a pet, what kind of gifts would be good for them? Two lovely kitties, Lina and Rumbles. They are love waffleweave paper, pipe cleaners, packing peanuts and many other things that were never intended to be toys. Any treats or playthings sent to them will be greatly appreciated. They always investigate the boxes first anyway.   Do you Tweet? What is your Twitter name? Yep. I'm ralenth there as well.   Are you on Ravelry? What is your Ravelry name? Nope. Couldn't knit to save my life.   ******9/3***** What are everyone's favorite Halloween-y/Autumn-y/spooky movies? Are there any you don't own but would like to? My copy of Nightmare Before Christmas (which is one of my favorite movies ever) has been missing ever since we moved from Phoenix. I keep forgetting to replace it.   Are roasted pumpkin seeds and home made chex mix the best fall snack foods, or what? I adore roasted pumpkin seeds. I have never had chex mix, however.   Whats your favorite pie, my dear SW's? Pecan. Mmm...   What kinda socks are you wearing tonight? None at the moment. I think my kitty has been hiding my socks again. He has a thing for toes and I swear he is plotting against me.   Do you like socks? Blankets? Wrist warmers? Arm warmers? Headband? Shawl? Or what kind of knitted thing would you love the most? I adore socks when my kitty isn't stealing them. I also like scarves and am curious about shawls. As for headbands, I like them, but my hair is short, so only the traditional ones for me.   How do you feel about ghost stories? Do you like to tell the old tales around a campfire? Read true accounts on the web way past your bedtime? Do you like to pick up a good anthology of Poe stories on a blustery day? Or is all that too scary for you? I am not big on gore, but I do love spooky or creepy stories. Poe FTW.   Who here is LOVING Warehouse 13? I don't have a tv, but I think I would watch it.   Another question! Coffee or Tea? Why limit yourself? Both, please!   Interested in locally produced products? Food, skincare or both?Olive oil? Lavender oils or soaps? Definitely!   Does anyone in here wear a lot of dangly earrings or collect pendants of all kinds?? How about hair clips or pony tail band things? I really don't have any jewelry except for my scent lockets. I do find dangly earrings very appealing, though.   What is your favourite historical period? Late-Republican/Early Imperial Rome.   What other hot beverages everyone likes for fall? Mulled cider.   Did you order anything from the most recent update? I'm running a Lab update decant circle over on el-jay, so I have that covered. I haven't made a Post order yet, but I am trying to be good.   Vampires or Werewolves? Or some other monster? I'm equal opportunity for monsters.   What sort of odd or regional foods do you crave? Collard greens and fried okra lately. Californians think I am crazy, obviously, as there are none to be found around here.   I am also cuckoo for anything prickly pear (like the desert baby that I am) and cactus taffy. Oh, Cerreta, how I miss you.
ralenth

ralenth

1
Arkham..
 

Switch Witch Questions

What are everyone's favorite Halloween-y/Autumn-y/spooky movies? Are there any you don't own but would like to? Cor.. House of 1000 Corpses is a brilliant Halloween movie, even if Rob Zombie did steal the whole thing from TCM. I love, LOVE Hocus Pocus as a good family fun Halloween film. Tbh, me and the OH have stacks of old, italian gross zombie films so we don't see that sort as typical Halloween stuff - oh! Monster House is also good. I like either psychedelic weird horror or childs films, clearly!   Are roasted pumpkin seeds and home made chex mix the best fall snack foods, or what? Chex mix? Being english clearly has it's drawbacks when it comes to these things!   Whats your favorite pie, my dear SW's? Home made apple and blackberry or (fake) meat, potato and gravy which'd be homemade again. I like pie and it shows!   What kinda socks are you wearing tonight? I don't really do socks. They're cute, but I like the whole cold feet thing.   Do you like socks? Blankets? Wrist warmers? Arm warmers? Headband? Shawl? Or what kind of knitted thing would you love the most? I love those crazy cowl scarf things, with the buttons on them so they look like a big old cowl jumper neck missing it's jumper. Tres cute. Otherwise shawls and blankets are goood.   How do you feel about ghost stories? Do you like to tell the old tales around a campfire? Read true accounts on the web way past your bedtime? Do you like to pick up a good anthology of Poe stories on a blustery day? Or is all that too scary for you? I like sitting with Poe and Lovecraft on autumn days, yes. I sorta maxed myself out on ghoststories when I was a kid.   Who here is LOVING Warehouse 13? Again, english..   Nother question! Coffee or Tea? TEA! Teateatea. Unless it's Vanilla flavoured coffee - oh baby.   Interested in locally produced products? Food, skincare or both? Oh definitely. Try and support anyone local as long as they're both ethical and honest. At a festival not long ago I found a woman selling organic icecream she makes herself and the 2 pound pricetag didn't phase me after she'd told me all about it and was genuinely a lovely person. Brilliant stuff.   Does anyone in here wear a lot of dangly earrings or collect pendants of all kinds?? How about hair clips or pony tail band things? I have tunnels so no dangly for me. Pendants aren't really my thing either as I make my own jewellery. I'm a bit fussy when it comes to accessories.   What is your favourite historical period? Easy peasy - Victorian. Madly, madly in love with the era. Total Victorian sympathiser.   What other hot beverages everyone likes for fall? Hot chocolate, warm non alcoholic punch, flavoured coffee (eggnog coffee!)   Did you order anything from the most recent update? I did a group order with a lass I know involving a bottle of Samhain and a bottle of Devils Night. Woohoo! Also in a decant circle for a bunch of 'weenie imps.   Olive oil? On pasta, bread, cheese! In my hair, on my skin. Flavour it with stuff. Love it!   Lavender? Touch and go. Fresh in the garden? Divine. Cosmetic? Headache inducing!   Vampires or Werewolves? Or some other monster? Vampires. From being a kid and growing up with Bram Stokers Dracula - It's in my blood *arf*   Any Gamers here? What kind? Board games? RPG? Miniature? MMORPG? RPG's please! Don't seem to play much anymore but I do have a little fancy for them. Otherwise I'm just a straight up gaming (xbox360) gal. Bit of a geek since getting my Spectrum when I was a wee child.   Imagine that you're given a shoebox-sized time capsule, and you are asked to put any number of items in the box that symbolize who you are. The items can be may be anything you can imagine, and money is no object, but they must fit within the box. Which items do you choose? A picture of me and my fiancé, it's really truely all I genuinely care about outside my parents and staying alive.   Are you involved in any long-term, ambitious project? I unfortunately don't do "ambitious", doh!     favorite kind or take out kinda burger? whats your burger preference? veggie,meat or ???? Asda / Sainsburys meat free burgers. More so Sainsburys now. Beautiful. Won't bother with the "veggie burgers", y'know, the ones that are like mushed up potato and carrot in breadcrumb. I don't like my food chewed before I eat it!   Whats your favorite childhood toy? Games consoles, how very sad.   If you have a pet, what kind of gifts would be good for them? I don't have one icon_sad.gif   Would any witches be interested in home-made sewn type crafts? If so, what type? (e.g. tote bags, pillowcases, laptop covers, etc..) Pillowcases would be AMAZING. I have, perhaps, a little obsession with pillows. So comfortable.     What's your favorite color? Black, Grey and cream.   Steampunk? Yes purlease! I love the more victorian edge as opposed to stuffing everything with clock gears and cogs.   Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone, and yes there can be multiple people) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? And, of course, if a picnic lunch sounds like a horrible idea, feel free to say so! In the middle of the forest at night.. and somehow.. there would be fairy lights everywhere. I'd take my bloke, noone else. We'd have cupcakes, warm apple cider and little triangle sandwiches.   Do you like pinup art/images? Love them. I've always wanted a pin-up girl tattoo but never got around to it. Sigh!   What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions? Hopefully have a little fire in the garden with some home made punch, cooked home food and a little music for a couple of close friends. I want to celebrate autumn as much as Halloween. I love them both. Tradition wise I just try to open myself up a little more on Halloween.   BPAL forum buddies? I don't really have any, sob. Saracakes is lovely though and we've spoke a couple of times.   If you could decorate/redecorate any 1 room in your home, what would it be and how would you decorate it? I'd love to turn the bathroom into a victorian surgical theatre. Why are you looking at me like that?!   What's your favorite animal? (You can have more than one.) In terms of what I'd love to have.. cats. I love cats. Bats are beautiful too. Other weird things though, like Octopus and Manatees are absolutely brilliant.   This is how the world ends... zombie apocalypse, robot uprising, alien invasion, return of the elder gods... which doomsday scenario do you prefer (or make your own!)? Blatantly going to be a Zombie Apocalypse, more so now with that strain of fungus that takes over insects in total zombie mode. Ugh.   In the year 2525... if man is still alive... what sort of future do you imagine? (apologies to anyone who gets that song stuck in their head!) The same as now. Nothing will ever change, technology will get better but still be restrained by mans intelligence and war will still happen. Humans will always be humans.   Do you believe in magic (or magick, if you prefer)? What does it mean to you? Yes. I was brought up with it and will always hold it dear to my heart. I wish I could practice more but never seem to be in the right frame of mind or have the tools to do so.   If you found the puzzle box from Hellraiser, what would you do with it? ( and would you be able to resist playing with it? Blatantly put it on ebay.   what's your favorite candy to stock up on at halloween? Orange chocolate, candy apples, cinder toffee!   What are your phobias? *big breath*.. heights, needles, surgery, injections, spiders, ants, wasps, beetles, breaking bones, losing teeth, mannequins, being on my own.   What is your favourite flower (or plant)? White roses, lotus flowers.   an anonymous benefactor gives you $500 (or an equivalent amount of money in your currency of choice) with the following stipulations. You must spend all of it within a week: any money left unspent must be returned. You must spend at least half of the money on yourself. You may not use it to pay off debts or bills of any kind. what do you do with the money? Blatantly a big BPAL and Villianess order. I'd buy my bloke the Micro Korg he's been asking for for the last year, treat my mum and stepdad to a lavely wedding gift and take my dad out for a top nosh meal. All sorted, everyone would be fed, watered and treated and I'd smell beautiful.   duct tape purses and wallets and things are pretty darned cool. who else thinks so? Um..no. cthulhu.gif       For the tea and coffee drinkers: Opinion on tea- and/or coffee-related accessories/etc? Infusers! Seriously! I have a little ball one and bless it, it really doesn't do much. I'd love a new teacup and saucer. I've been eyeing up some vintage ones recently.     If I send you whole spices or coffee beans, would you be able to grind them or would you prefer them preground for your convenience? Coffee beans - preground due to not having any mechanical device that'll do it here. Whole spices are brilliant though, purlease! I'm a bugger for putting things in jars to make the kitchen look pretty and/or like a laboratory.   new question, because I'm learning how to sew - if you do any kind of craft, could you use supplies? What kind? knitting needles, yarn, amazing fabric, pinking shears, cool thimbles or pincushins, jewellery making supplies, beads, etc.? I'd love to start knitting so needles and wool would be brilliant! Other than that I like working with brass findings quite a lot. Etsy is my spiritual home.   What's your favorite pain-relief remedy or ritual? Pills, and lots of them. Shake me and I rattle.     Do sounds make you happy? What ambient noises make you smile? I love ambient sound in general. The OH purchased one of those Buddha Boxes and they're brilliant! I love thunder too, church bells, birds. I think sounds in general are absolutely amazing and the fact they can bring back memories or change moods fascinates me. Rain storms (added with thunder) are something out of this world.   when you receive your SW packages...do you like receiving things that are individually wrapped inside? Or unwrapped? Or both? I do love attention to detail. Really, really do.   Of course, we're all going to be grateful no matter what our witches give us, but for the record, what is your anti-present? Tell us something that you think your future witch might give you that you absolutely, unequivocally DO. NOT. WANT. - Cute / furry / pink stuff / stationary. I just, it's not.. gah, that stuff is just not me. I work with toys so I see no appeal really anymore (apart from the wind up monster collection. Clockwork Frankenstein? Brilliant!) I'm greatful for anything, but I think it's obvious.. perhaps.. from what I've written so far that I lean away from most common cute things.     What BPAL scent have you never tried but always wanted to? What scent have you tried and LOVED, and haven't been able to get more of and why?   Never tried - All of the Sleepy Hollow scents, ARGH. Very annoying! I know I could if I searched but something always seems to get in my way. Black Lace is another! I can't think of any off hand that I've tried but not gotten again. I guess I'm lucky with finding bits if I smell them and then set my heart on them. I did have a problem with Smut for a while but the OH found me a bottle which is now stashed until my birthday, waah!     i know we're all scent sensitive here. what are your favorite non-perfume smells? day in the life stuff? Fresh coffee, lemon kitchen wipes, morning air, my mums cat (she smells like a teddy bear!), the duvet in the morning when you're all snuggled up.   Nervous? Very. First SW ever and I'm just.. argh. Bouncing! I can't wait. Scared, completely scared, that'll mess up or get confused though.   Coffee drinkers, what types of beans to you like? Kona, Sumatra, Kenya..etc. How do you like them roasted? Do you like flavors, such as hazelnut, vanilla, etc. in your coffee? We have a dark Sumatra here and it's DELICIOUS! the OH loves his dark coffee, hot lava java being one of his faves along with the Sumatra whereas I like medium coffee blends mixed with flavours like Vanilla, Chocolate and boozy notes. We got a Danish Pastry infused coffee the other month - absolutely to die for. The smell and taste are just.. orgasm worthy!   who has a birthday falling in this round?just out of curiosity - Meeeeee. 21st of September, hurrah! I'll be 24, how time flies!
Salem

Salem

0
Aiko's Haven
 

Random SW questions

Random Questions:   - What things do you consider a necessary part of your "comfort" ritual? A warm bath, a good book, a comfortable bed and sweet smelling room   - Who’s your favorite celebrity? Which one annoys you the most? Hmmm, it should be Akanishi Jin for the former and Kamenashi Kazuya for the latter.   - Do you know how the Gilligan’s Island theme song starts? Did you start singing it just now to try to remember? Nope   - What would be the title of your autobiography? Why would anyone want to read about me? Hah. I think my life is mundane, but if I do write one, it will be one where I will not hide what I want to say and bare all. “The REAL Juliana” or “Who I really am”   - In high school, I should have been voted Most Likely To… be Ms Nice   - If you were on death row, what would you request for your last meal? Potato and cheese.   - What did you want to be when you grew up? astronaut   - Is there a hobby you always wanted to take up but never did? There were many I wanted to take up, but I can’t remember any specific one now. My Gemini personality likes to try new things, but my attention span is short, so I only get to try those I remember or make an effort to do so. But if I had really to try something, I would have done so.   - Have you ever met anyone famous? I don’t think so   - What’s your favorite “timesuck?” Surfing the net and reading books   - Your motto: I live in the “now”/present and for the future. No point harping on the past. Just live as you want to and have fun while doing so.   - What have you read recently that was so good you want to enable everyone you know with it? A book on Karma, but I can’t remember the exact title.   - Do you know what direction your oven faces? Is it going to bug you until you figure it out? Yes, the North West. That is because I know my window faces and no, it won’t bug me.   - Who is your best friend? Is there a story behind that? I have close friends. I can’t and won’t choose a best friend from the group.   Notes (Here's where you can add additional information you'd like your Switch Witch to know!): I am easily satisfied. I like to try different things and I have a short attention span, so it is not surprising to see my favorites changing frequently. ^_- My current craze is in Japanese stuffs, dramas, music, Johnny entertainment groups (NEWS, KAT-TUN, Tackey & Tsubasa & Kinki Kids), animes and manga.   Other RANDOM questions I have done before that may be useful Favorite colors: I like these colors: purple in darker shades, silver, green, black and dark blue. The combination of colors that reminds of (1) midnight, (2) the sea, (3) autumn and (4) winter. What are your travel imps? Ladon, house of night, Possets’ high tea and Cadmium Orange Do you like audio books? No. How do you feel about bands you may not have heard before? Or, how do you feel about mixed cds of classic stuff that you probably have heard? I don’t mind listening to bands/music I have not heard before. What was your favorite childhood toy? Books How would you describe yourself--do you feel that you're shy or outgoing, laidback, high-strung... and in what ways? Laidback, shy and I prefer to keep out of the limelight when I am with strangers. To family and friends, I can be eccentric, talkative and always having wacky/ ideas. What’s a talent you are most proud of? Is high stress tolerance a talent? Religious preferences and patron saints/goddesses/spiritual mentors: Spirits in nature (Trees, sea, wind) What's your favorite flower? Tree? Sunflower Do you like homemade gifts? Like foodstuffs or crafts? Love!!! I appreciate the effort that someone has to put in to do something for me. What's your guilty pleasure? Dark chocolate, shoujo manga and romance books If handmade stuff is okay, and it all goes horribly wrong, would you want it anyway? Of course, it is the thoughts and efforts that count. Are you an indoor person or outdoor person? Indoor Lip balm, yay or nay? Yay 5 things that get you through the day: Chocolate, food, my laptop, music and books/manga Favorite Halloween Costume? I want to try cosplaying as an anime character one day
aiko

aiko

0
Ginspu's Blog
 

Switch Witch Question List of DOOM

***6/20-21***   Are there any single notes (likely non bpal) that anyone is dying to have/try? Not especially, but I love sandalwood and would like to try different makers' versions   net flick or the likes gift subscriptions? A month of Netflicks vs a DvD? Oh yes! I've been meaning to try Netflix for some time, and haven't yet   Adorable Japanese characters? Not so much.   Do you collect dolls or miniatures? What kind? Do you like to get new clothes or items for them? No - dolls creep me out a bit   Would you like any recycle/upcycle supplies for your crafting? I had some found objects for my jewelry, but I never used them. I never knew how to incorporate them. Tips for using them would be a good thing.   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? Wonderfalls! I hear so much about it, but never saw it   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.? DH got me into this, and now I have 6 Ally 'toons and one Horde, all on Quel'dorei. DH and I have a guild called Blue Man Group, which I joke should really be called "Two Man Group" because we are the only members.   Would anyone like bath bombs or bath melts scented with one of their favorite Bpal scents? I do these for myself sometimes and find them to be quite enjoyable. I just have a shower stall, so unfortunately such items would be wasted on me   Would you like homemade cinnamon buns or sticky buns? Sure, but I don't like frosting on top. Yes, I am weird like that.   Is there anyone here that likes Hello Kitty or any other Sanrio Characters? They're cute, but I'd rather no Sanrio items, thanks.   ***6/19***   How many potential witchees have an iPod, or download MP3s? I have an MP3 player, I'm not cool enough for an iPod But I am always looking for new music and MP3s would be a welcome gift!   ***6/18*** Are there any of the BPTP bath oils you adore (particularly ones that you cannot get anymore). What about the room sprays? No bath = no bath oils. Room sprays: sure, although we mostly use incense   How would you feel about an ultra-girlie shawl or wrap in summer-weight (lace)? If it were handmade, I'd love it, although I probably wouldn't have many places to wear such a thing   What would you think of hand-dyed items? Sounds cool.   So, I hear you don't like lacy wraps! How do you feel about hand-knit socks? I would love a pair of hand-knit socks   ***6/17*** 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 make jewelry, so I'd love something not made of beads and wire (see answers about socks and wraps above)   Clearly, vegans are not into soaps with honey or milk, etc. But, 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? How exactly does one get oil from an emu? Might be willing to give it a try, I think   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. Not at all. I think it's great to share the things we really love.   Does anyone play video games? What platform(s)? Are there any new or vintage games you would like? I am not a gamer, really, although I have a Wii.   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. I am not a Twilight fan, so no Twilight stuff, please!   Are you in need of decanting supplies, wand caps, or other scent-related paraphernalia? I could probably use some imp vials, but I'm not a big-time decanter, so it's not a high priority item.   Salt soap bars (soap made with a large quantity of salt, like salt-scrub-in-a-bar)? I'm afraid the salt would be too harsh for my skin   Homemade canned goods? Sure, sounds yummy.   would my future witchee like to receive steampunk style jewelry? Trying to put together a steampunk costume, so yes!   Tea. How do you feel about it? Love tea, would like to try more white tea varieties   what is your favorite anime, or if you don't like that what is your favorite animated series? Not so much into anime   ***6/26*** How are you doing for BPAL storage? Need any boxes? Heartbreakangel made me an absolutely gorgeous box, so I'm good right now   Is there any place you've visited where you feel like you left your heart there? There are very few places that I've visited that I didn't love, but I especially felt home in Salzburg and Washington DC   What one item would you just love to have that is made by a Switch Witch? Seriously, just one? Anything my Witch would like to make me would be loved   Is your abode a palace covered in fur, a disaster area, or a neat freaks delight? Kind of a mess, there's piles of stuff all over the place   Are there any phobias you have that you absolutely, positively, do NOT want anything from your witch referencing? I really, really don't like rodents of any kind. Also, someone mentioned that pervy stuff might squick them? It would probably squick me too.   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 thing for the knitters), car blessing medicine bags I have a blue 2005 Ford Focus. I have some Mardi Gras beads hanging from the rearview mirror, and a safe travel medicine bag. Also, it smells like BPAL.   Do you want to know when you have something coming in the mail, or would you rather it be a complete surprise? I love surprises   What is your mailbox situation? Small apartment-sized box. Our regular guy will bring boxes to the door, though. ***6/25***   Are you interested in Tarot or Tarot art? Yes, but I don't need any right now - I gave away loads of decks in the PIF thread. There is a Tarot deck called the Gendron Tarot. I'm not so much into the deck as a whole, but the image of the Princess of Swords really resonates with me. So if my Witch could find me that one card, or an image of it, I would love it. I also love the Chinese Tarot by Jui Guolang. The illustrations are traditional Chinese ink drawings. There is a more modern deck called the Chinese Tarot that has computer-generated images which I don't care for.   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? Sounds good to me.   What about burnables as in candles, tarts and/or incense? incense is always welcome   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 don't do anything with yarn, but for some reason am obsessed with natural dyed yarns (ie, madder, marigold, especially indigo)   Do you like coffee? Whole bean or ground? Bold/Medium/Mild roast? I love the smell, can't stand the taste   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? Any or all of those sound awesome   ***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 really know a lot about honey and would probably like to try some different kinds   What are your favorite materials? Or material things? Some people like jewelry, some like woods, some plants... I love the feel of sanded but unvarnished wood as well as pewter   Is there anything you've been wanting to learn that your witch might be able to help you with? Knitting, sewing, chainmaille, press riveting   Posters, yes or no? Sure, our walls are pretty bare right now   What do you like to snack on? I like salty things - pretzels, goldfish crackers especially, and cheese   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 ...) I mention above about pervy things squicking me, I'd prefer none of that; other than that, anything goes Let me 'splain a little better. (I didn't think this was very clear.) Pervy things don't really offend me as such, but they would embarass me muchly to get as a gift. I can talk dirty with the best of them, but pictures and such would make me blush. Also, there's always talk of sending underpants, and although as far as I know it's never happened, I still always mention I'd prefer to buy my own.   Salted caramels? No thanks, I'm not really into caramels   Which flavors are you interested to try from the Chocolate Research Facility? What is this Chocolate Research Facility you speak of? Those all sound awesome, but I'd prefer little to no chocolate, since it can give me migraines   Do you wear makeup or nail polish? I don't wear makeup at all. I do occasionally paint my toenails in the summer, and could use a good basecoat/topcoat combo   Do you like shiney hanging porch decorations like windchimes or those things that spin and swirl in the wind? One of my favorite sounds is the sound of windchimes   Hair adornments? My hair is so baby fine, they all fall out. I have had some minor success with bobby pins, but I can't even wear barrettes   Is there any infomercial product you're dying to try even though you know it probably sucks? Can't think of any   What are your favorite websites (besides this one, and the online shops you listed in your questionnaire)? Animal Rescue Site, Yoga Journal, Hard Rock Cafe Online Pin Catalog   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? I've made jewelry for previous witchees, and I had an etsy shop, but no-one ever bought anything, so the listings all expired   So would anyone like to receive some original, or very much loved recipes from his/her witch? That would be awesome.   List things you DO NOT need any more of: Cluttery knick-knacks. I appreciate little goodies, but I have no place for 'em.   What's that one thing you keep meaning to get but keep forgetting or passing over? Nothing that I would ask my Witch to provide for me - too pricey, which is why I keep passing them over.   Who out there is equally challenged and would appreciate icons/banners as witchy gifts? I'd love one!   Are there any etailers you haven't tried yet but would like to be enabled (e.g., a company you haven't tried but would like recommendations from your witch, based on your likes and dislikes)? Please! Witches from former rounds have introduced me to all sorts of neat things.   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)? I love Labs and Goldens, and have had both in my life at one time   Do you like coffee and/or wine? Like wine, reds especially, but reds have been triggering migraines. So recommendations for drier whites would be most welcome! I like the smell of coffee, but not the taste.   What are your thought on World Market? I love that place.   Non-Melting candies? I love Brachs Starlite Mints and lemon drops of any maker. Red liccorice, Jujubes, and Dots are also favorites.
Ginspu

Ginspu

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Ginspu's Blog
 

Halloweenie SW QUstions

******9/6***** You're in the kitchen at the end of a pay period and groceries are pretty scarce. Do you take the five ingredients you find first and make something fabulous, or do you order take out? Depends on my mood - if I feel like experimentign, I will; otherwise, it's take out Any rabid sports fans out there? What teams do you root for? I'm a Detroit Red Wings fan, but not to the point of insanity What's your favorite animal? (You can have more than one.) I like black and white animals, such as polar bears, pandas, zebras, black panthers. But I also love foxes, hedgehogs, and peacocks. ******9/5***** Do you like pinup art/images? They're OK - I could take or leave them. What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions? Friends of mine have a party every year, but this year might be an issue cos my parents are going to be out of town and are convinced that if no-one's here to give out candy then the house will be firebombed or something Who are your BPAL forum buddies? You know, people I could conspire with to Witch you! I'm friendly with most people, I suppose stellans, schackjj, or lunaliquid might know a couple things to help out What is your favorite color? I really really love purple, but I almost never wear or decorate with it. Red is my favorite color to wear, and green my favorite decorating color. Any other steampunk fans/lovers? Not so much Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone, and yes there can be multiple people) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? And, of course, if a picnic lunch sounds like a horrible idea, feel free to say so! I love picnic lunches, but I like simple casual things, so the traditional sandwiches and chips on a blanket in the park would be ideal ******9/4***** Any Gamers here? What kind? Board games? RPG? Miniature? MMORPG? I'm not a gamer. I'll play cards, and there's a few board games I enjoy - Parcheesi, Clue Trivial Pursuit. I like chess and backgammon. Is anyone playing this round of SW into ABJ? (asian ball jointed dolls) Sorry, but they creep me out What is your favorite Halloween icon? black cats and jack-o-lanterns Imagine that you're given a shoebox-sized time capsule, and you are asked to put any number of items in the box that symbolize who you are. The items can be may be anything you can imagine, and money is no object, but they must fit within the box. Which items do you choose? Copies of my favorite CDs, a copy of the Tao Te Ching, some strands of beads, pictures of my friends and family Are you involved in any long-term, ambitious project? something like decorating your house or saving for a trip to the other end of the world, for example. Not so much Favorite kind or take out kinda burger? Whats your burger preference? Veggie,meat or ???? Turkey burger. There was this place that made cherry burgers, but it went out of business. *sadness* Whats your favorite childhood toy? I used to love my dollhouse. Now, I like to play with crayons, yoyos, and slinkys If you have a pet, what kind of gifts would be good for them? No pets Do you Tweet? What is your Twitter name? Nope, don't Tweet. Hell, I just joined Facebook - iy'll prolly be a good 3-4 years before I get behind Twitter! Are you on Ravelry? What is your Ravelry name? Not on Ravelry ******9/3***** What are everyone's favorite Halloween-y/Autumn-y/spooky movies? Are there any you don't own but would like to? Near Dark is one of my favroites, also the Crow, and Netherworld (a very cheesy Blue Moon Entertainment flick) Are roasted pumpkin seeds and home made chex mix the best fall snack foods, or what? Roasted pumpkin seeds, yes. Never really been into Chex mix - convert me! Whats your favorite pie, my dear SW's? Cherry pie in the summer, pumpkin pie in the fall/winter What kinda socks ar you wearing tonight? None - I go barefoot until it's too cold to do so - round late October or so Do you like socks? Blankets? Wrist warmers? Arm warmers? Headband? Shawl? Or what kind of knitted thing would you love the most? All of the above! How do you feel about ghost stories? Do you like to tell the old tales around a campfire? Read true accounts on the web way past your bedtime? Do you like to pick up a good anthology of Poe stories on a blustery day? Or is all that too scary for you? I love ghost stories! Who here is LOVING Warehouse 13? Haven't seen it yet, but I prolly would like it if I did take the time to watch Nother question! Coffee or Tea? Definitely tea - I love the smell of coffee, but hate the taste Interested in locally produced products? Food, skincare or both?Olive oil? Lavender oils or soaps? Yes, yes, and yes Does anyone in here wear a lot of dangly earrings or collect pendants of all kinds?? How about hair clips or pony tail band things? I love pendants. I don't usually wear long dangly earrings, cos they get caught in my hair, and owwie! What is your favourite historical period? I have many - Renaissance Europe, colonial America (pre-Revolution), Qing Dynasty China What other hot beverages everyone likes for fall? hot cider, hot chocolate Did you order anything from the most recent update? I ordered end-of-summers and Halloweenies, but nothing from the Falling Leaf Moon update Vampires or Werewolves? Or some other monster? RIght now, werewolves. I'm kind of vampired out. What sort of odd or regional foods do you crave? Beignets!   How do you scent your home Tarts, reed diffusers, BPAL, candles? I use a Bath & Body Works Wallflower, and I have an electric candle warmer that works well with BPAL and tarts, too. Regular candles and incense are pretty well out, cos I can't have Burny Things   How do you take your tea? Black or with cream and/or sugar? Black   Do you believe we control our destiny, or does our destiny control us? I beleive it's a bit of both. There's a path, but you can always choose to ignore the signs.   What's your favorite dessert treat? I don't often indulge in dessert, but I do love me some Haagen Dasz Vanilla Swiss Almond   Are you interested in things like home remedies for ailments, cleaning solutions, etc.? Sure - I know I have a book somewhere, but I need to refer to it more   New question, because I'm learning how to sew - if you do any kind of craft, could you use supplies? What kind? knitting needles, yarn, amazing fabric, pinking shears, cool thimbles or pincushins, jewelery making supplies, beads, etc.? I just started with the knitting, so knitting supplies, especially yarn (I have a few sets of needles) would be most welcome   If i send you whole spices or coffee beans, would you be able to grind them or would you prefer them preground for your convenience? Pre-ground. I don't have a grinder, and it's a pain to use the mortar and pestle   For the tea and coffee drinkers: Opinion on tea- and/or coffee-related accessories/etc? I don't do coffee, but tea acessories would be nice   Of course, we're all going to be grateful no matter what our witches give us, but for the record, what is your anti-present? Tell us something that you think your future witch might give you that you absolutely, unequivocally DO. NOT. WANT. I always fear my Witch will send me stickers as a box filler. I don't use stickers. I don't like them. I don't know, I'm weird that way.   What BPAL scent have you never tried but always wanted to? What scent have you tried and LOVED, and haven't been able to get more of and why? THere's lots I've never tried, especially in the GC. F'r instane, I've never tried Snake Oil. Nor soem of the other heavy-hitters that seem to be so popular. Tried and loved - Her Voice. I have one tiny decant, and I never knew it was so lovely.   I know we're all scent sensitive here. What are your favorite non-perfume smells? Day in the life stuff? Fresh-cut grass. A leather shop. Sawmills. Clean laundry. Baking bread. Wax (real beeswax, not parafin). The rose cooler at the flower shop.   Which three albums would you take to your apocalypse bolt hole and how would you power the generator? Deep, Peter Murphy Grace, Jeff Buckley Songs of Faith and Devotion, DepecheMode And I'd power the generator by windmill   Any cooks? Could you use anything cooking related? Aprons? Cookbooks? Measuring Cups? Recipes? Herb/Spice containers? Fancy Spices? Dish Towels? Cocktail napkins? Amazing Beaded Pot Holders? (like from our very own Pottersville! ) Something else? I could always use more help in this area - I am a terrible cook! I even set off the fire alarm - more than once.   What kind of socks? I'm not too fond of footies, otherwise, anthing goes!   How often do you update your wishlist? Not regularly, but I try to update it after I buy anything. I just updated after the last SW round   May I help you fill out your costuming wardrobe (assuming you costume)? Are there articles you are seeking to enhance your a) Halloween costume, Renfest attire, c) Cosplay, d) Steampunk accouterment? Sure, if you like. But I haven't decided what I'm going to be this Halloween, so probably something generic Victoria/witchy/pirate/Renfest would be the best   Who are your favorite artists/illustrators/art periods? I tend to like photography more than painted art or illustrations, but no Geddes babies, please!!   What's your stance on cranberries? Pretty much awesome. Except, for some reason, I don't like cranberry sauce with the berries in. I like the jellied kind. But cranberries in baked goods or candy = Yum!   Do you mind receiving used (in good condition, of course) CDs or DVDs? (I know this question was on the questionnaire about books, but I didn't see one for DVDs or CDs.) As long as they play, I'm good with them.   Do you have a crush on anyone famous? Do you have a crush on any literary characters? Would you like fanfiction or fan art based on this/these people? I have had a lifelong crush on Sting   You're at home, or out, and you want a snack. Something that will get you through to the next meal, or through to the end of school or what ever. What do you grab? Pretzels, corn ships and salsa, or crackers and cheese.   Do you have a favorite bpal bottle art? Not really, although I kept my empties of Order of the Dragon: The Castle, Metal Phoenix, and Dogs Playing Poker: Staying Up with a Sick Friend, and will likely keep Boudicca and Schwarzer Mond 08   Are there any decants from the Halloweenies, Literary Vampires, Gris Grimly, or Hellboy that you would be interested in receiving? I know this will never happen, but Tattie Bogle!   What's autumn like in your neck of the woods? What do you love and/or hate about it? I LOVE Autumn in Michigan. There is nothing about it I don't like. All the typical fall things - leaves changing, crisper, cooler air, trips to the cider mill and pumpkin patch, the rainy days, everything!   What's your favorite product(s) at Trader Joe's? TJ's Fat-Free Black Bean Salsa is the best thing on god's green earth.   If you're caught in front of the tv, what are you watching? I watch too much TV, but if it's randomly on for noise, it's likely soemthing silly like South Park   Any Amy Brown art fans? I love Amy Brown, but I have enough of her stuff right now (2 prints, a book, a pendant, and 4 figurines)   How do you feel about Halloween music? (mix CDs, what have you) I kind of like music that is creepy without being blatantly Halloweenie, ie, Nick Cave's the Carny, or Juno Reactor's Luciana. I'll admit to liking "Every Day is Halloween" and "Bela Lugosi's Dead" but have heard enough of them to last a lifetime. And the silly stuff like Monster Mash is just right out   Who else is reeeeeally looking forward to Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland? I'll probably see it when it comes out on video   Is there a store that you love which does not have a location near you (but that has a physical presence somewhere, not just online? Why do you love it so much? One of my favorite stores is called Middle Earth, and it's in Ann Arbor, so technically it's within driving range, but far enough that I don't go there that often. So the name alone is reason enough, but the stuff they carry caters to about every taste I have - original ethnic jewelry from all over the globe, candles, bath & body stuff, funky things from Archie McPhee, little pewter tokens (I have a serious addiction to little pewter tokens) art postcards, Day of the DEad calaveras, Japanese saki sets, etc., etc. It's an awesome place.   Lolcats....yeah or nay? Funneh kittehs R funneh.   What is your favorite creepy folk story or legend? I don't even know. We used to have this book of ghost stories like the Thing at the Foot of the Bed, Teeny Tiny, King O' the Cats, and so on. My sister would read them to me in an attempt to scare me, and it never worked. I always wondered why they were considered scary stories. But there are stories I've read since then that still give me the wiggins even thinking about them. I like them, if my witch wanted to pass some along. Does that help?   If your witch were to either write something for you or put together a collection of ghost stories, would you rather have it in writing, recorded as an oral telling, or both? I think I'd prefer written.   ******9/20***** Would you object to annonomous postcards (real ones) from your witch before the big reveal??? No objections at all! Postcards are nice.   ******9/19***** Do you drink alcohol? Wine, beer or liquor? What is your favorite wine/beer/mixed drink? I think I may have answered this one, but I've been drinking beer/cider/Smirnoff Ice lately   Do you like to find out there's a package on the way or to receive a tracking number to stalk, or do you prefer surprise packages? Whatever my witch's heart desires   If I were your witch, and I wanted to make you a spell or mojo bag, would you be into that? And, if you were, would you want it for something like love, prosperity or luck? Or would you want it for a certain element? Or would you want it for something more personal- and what might that be?   ******9/18***** Do you wear lip gloss/lip balm? If so, what flavors/scents? Not at all. In fact, I don't like the feel of it on my lips, and would prefer none, please!   What is one thing you constantly keep with you that you constantly loose? My keys   What are your favorite fruits? Any berries, cherries, blood oranges and bananas   What is your favorite cookie type? Oatmeal chocolate chip. But I like runchy oatmeal, not chewy oatmeal. ******9/17***** Are you into 80s movies (like i am ) if so, which are your favorites and who are your favorite characters? I used to be. I pretty much know "Beter off Dead" by heart, but I don't really watch them so much anymore   Do you like Villainess soaps? What are your favorite scents? I like the scent Villianess   Do you mind artificial colors in your food? They're fine   Who wants hair pretties?(headbands, barrettes, pony-o's, scrunchies, bobby pins, hair clips, etc) I think I mentioned my unnamed hair stick/barette thingie quest in the thread, so yes.     I am on an origami crane kick recently, so I wonder if anyone will be interested in origami crane earrings, origami crane in a glass vial (~1.2cm wide) phone charm/pendant or just a container filled with cranes of different sizes. I love origami. I have a pair or paper crane earrings that are sealed with some kind of Mod-Podge-like substance that also makes them stiff and unbendy, but cranes in a glass vial would be very pretty too   How do you feel about clothing/accessories made from animals? Anti-fur, leather, shells, etc.? Does even faux wig you out? Anything with bone, teeth or fur would wig me out. Feathers and leather are OK. Faux would be OK too.   How do you deal with stress? What's your favorite way to unwind? Tai chi helps like noboady's business.   You're given the opportunity to apprentice at any trade (or craft) of your choosing for the period of one year. Your mentor may be any currently living person. Which field of study would you choose, and who would be your mentor? I would study photography under Ansel Adams. OK, I know he died 25 years ago, I still want him as my teacher.   Burned DVDs and CDs? Are fine by me.   ******9/24***** Do you use henna at all (hair or skin)? I've done henna on my hands before and loved it, but 1) I've developed psoriasis since and it'd have to go on my arms, or feet - for some reason I only get breakouts on my hands and 2) I probably wouldn't do it on myself - I'd be too afraid I'd screw it up. Henna in my hair is pretty much a no-go - I'm too fair for it and I'd turn into Carrot Top   What about 2010 Wall calenders? Or 2010 journals or appointment diaries? What subject? Datebooks are fine, but I have no place to hang a wall calendar   What are your thoughts on Halloween decorations? Love 'em!   What tarot card do you most identify with? Queen of Swords or Two of Swords   ******9/23***** Who collects ACEOs/ATCs? Um...what are those?   Switch Witches, which shoes do you own that are your favorite? What are your "daily drivers"? My black Converse are my go-to shoes, or else my Sketchers Mary Janes   If you could describe yourself in 5 words, what would they be? bold, strong, stubborn, smart, vulnerable   Do you collect new/used stamps? Will you like to get stamps on your mails? I do occasionally keep one I might like for a while, but it'll eventually get thrown out.   Any WKAP you're excited about? For about the zillionth time Unexpeced Golf Hazard   How do you feel about stationary? (pens, notepads, cards, pencils, etc.) Probably mostly wouldn't get used, but I always need a pen or two
Ginspu

Ginspu

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SW questions and such...
 

Other random things I forgot to add in my Fall '09 SW questionnaire

I have discovered (thanks to Dark Alice, the bestest coffee elf ever!) that Peaberry coffee is delicious.   I'm starting to really wish I had a BPAL shirt... so as to better facilitate the finding of other BPALers. Not that I expect my witch to get me one, they're kind of expensive. I know what's going on my Christmas list.   I wish I knew how to crochet or knit.   I've been loving my collection of rocks and stone lately. It makes me want to add more shineys! The only rock I really don't like is malachite.   Twilight and I don't get along.
unlaced

unlaced

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Forspecial Plate's Blog
 

Uh, the mood swings I mentioned?

Oh yeah, the moodiness is here. I don't want to talk to a single person that I work with and I feel like I hate everyone. I'm pissed off because I haven't had a break for over 9 hours, and instead of getting up and saying I'm taking a break, I'd rather sit here and be pissed off. Yup. This is nicotine withdrawal at its finest.   The one good thing is I only have about an hour left, then I can go home and slam doors and whatever the hell I want. And I'm off tonight, due to the holiday tomorrow.
forspecial_plate

forspecial_plate

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Forspecial Plate's Blog
 

Cerberus

This scent is warm, fuzzy, fruity, and musky, all at the same time. The juniper berry doesn't stand out like it normally would in my nose, but it might be adding to the fruity aspect of the scent. I think I can smell almost all of the notes, actually. I've never really decided if I like this, and I've had my decant for quite a while. I think it's just a strange combination of notes. If I was going to enjoy this, it would be as a comfort scent, on a chilly fall day. Maybe something to wear to the zoo! : )
forspecial_plate

forspecial_plate

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Ondine's Blog
 

Switch Witch Questions (Halloween Round)

Yay for another round! Plus it's during fall and Halloween ... my favorite season and holiday.   Do you like pinup art/images? They're okay, but not really my style.   What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions? Sadly, I'm probably not going to be doing too much. I don't really know that many people in my town and most are undergrads, and I don't want to hang out with them because I'm a teacher at their school. Just a weird boundary for me.   Who are your BPAL forum buddies? You know, people I could conspire with to Witch you!   Sunshinedaisybliss comes to mind. I've swapped with her a couple of times and she's really sweet.   What is your favorite color? Pink, probably. Or red. Any other steampunk fans/lovers? I'm not really a big steampunk fan. Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone, and yes there can be multiple people) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? And, of course, if a picnic lunch sounds like a horrible idea, feel free to say so!   I love picnics up at a lake nearby, especially in summer. We take our picnic basket with a big ol' deli sandwich, salt and vinegar chips, and something good for dessert from the little French bakery along with some Rolling Rock and just sit and watch the scenery. It's beautiful.   Any Gamers here? What kind? Board games? RPG? Miniature? MMORPG? I play console video games. I love the Silent Hill series, Parasite Eve series, and fun games (Animal Crossing, little puzzle games). Is anyone playing this round of SW into ABJ? (asian ball jointed dolls) No. What is your favorite Halloween icon? Black cats! I love black cats and they are such a perfect Halloween image. Imagine that you're given a shoebox-sized time capsule, and you are asked to put any number of items in the box that symbolize who you are. The items can be may be anything you can imagine, and money is no object, but they must fit within the box. Which items do you choose?   I would put a Heinlein book, to represent my love of reading and science fiction, and a Stephen King book for horror. I would put a classroom grading book since I teach. I would put a bottle of my homebrewed beer, though it would probably go bad. I would include a vial of glitter and a bottle of perfume, probably BPAL of course! I would have little icons of cats and other small fuzzy friends and some pictures of me and my family. Finally, a can of Diet Coke   Are you involved in any long-term, ambitious project? something like decorating your house or saving for a trip to the other end of the world, for example. Husband and I would like to buy a house within the next year, so we're saving up for that. We did buy a house in Dec. 2009! Favorite kind or take out kinda burger? Whats your burger preference? Veggie,meat or ???? I love In-N-Out burger and find it a travesty that there are none around me! I'll make do with a good medium-rare burger, blue cheese on top, maybe some sauteed mushrooms and onions, mayonnaise, some garlic powder too for seasoning, and lettuce/tomato/dill pickle.   Whats your favorite childhood toy? I had tons of My Little Ponies and Charmkins. I blame Charmkins for my early interest in things that smelled good!   If you have a pet, what kind of gifts would be good for them? The cats love catnip, toys, and soft treats of any kind. The rats love things to chew on, seed and nut snacks, and yogurt-cheese snacks specially made for rats.   Do you Tweet? What is your Twitter name? I don't tweet but I'm on Twitter as Ondiney.   Are you on Ravelry? What is your Ravelry name? No. What are everyone's favorite Halloween-y/Autumn-y/spooky movies? Are there any you don't own but would like to? I can't say there are any particular movies I like that are Halloween related. I used to love the Garfield Halloween special when I was a kid I love the Cube movies (Cube, Cube Two: Hypercube, and Cube Zero) and would love to own them. (I do own Cube Zero.)   Are roasted pumpkin seeds and home made chex mix the best fall snack foods, or what? Ehhh ... I will leave that to you "Puppy chow" is good though! I like sweet more than salty.   Whats your favorite pie, my dear SW's? Gooseberry. Hands down my favorite and hard to find. Also butterscotch and cherry.   What kinda socks are you wearing tonight? Fuzzy pink ones. It's cold out and I love warm socks for fall. Do you like socks? Blankets? Wrist warmers? Arm warmers? Headband? Shawl? Or what kind of knitted thing would you love the most?   I love socks with a passion. Stripey socks are awesome but I love socks of all kinds. Really anything knitted would be beautiful and treasured since I can't knit at all.   How do you feel about ghost stories? Do you like to tell the old tales around a campfire? Read true accounts on the web way past your bedtime? Do you like to pick up a good anthology of Poe stories on a blustery day? Or is all that too scary for you?   I love horror and dark science fiction. I am all about scary stories. I used to read them in the dark basement before bed and scare myself silly!   Who here is LOVING Warehouse 13? What is this? Oh, I Googled it ... I don't watch TV.   Nother question! Coffee or Tea? NO coffee, please. Tea. I love fruit teas, black teas, white teas. Not so much green teas. Love fruit flavors (strawberry, cherry, peach, raspberry), rose, vanilla, spice, chai, ginger, lemon, chocolate.   Interested in locally produced products? Food, skincare or both?Olive oil? Lavender oils or soaps? I would really love honey from your local area. I make mead and I'm into honey. I do also dig lavender and some lavender oil would be beautiful. I think local stuff is all part of the fun of this, so please send local nifty things if you'd like! I would treasure them. No soap though please. Does anyone in here wear a lot of dangly earrings or collect pendants of all kinds?? How about hair clips or pony tail band things? Yes, yes, yes. Shiny, sparkly, fun, all the better. I wear my hair back a lot so headbands, pony holders, clips are all great. And jewelry is awesome.   What is your favourite historical period? The 80s ... can I say that? I love the music, the clothing (don't laugh) except for the huge shoulder pads, and many of the movies. What other hot beverages everyone likes for fall? Hot cider! Hot cocoa too. Mint cocoa is great. I especially love spiced cider.   Did you order anything from the most recent update? Not yet. I'm waiting on decants of Halloweenies and a decant of Mircalla, which sounds up my alley.   Vampires or Werewolves? Or some other monster? I like vampires better than werewolves, but I like basilisks even better What sort of odd or regional foods do you crave? I miss White Castles, In-N-Out burger, Steak and Shake, Arby's Jamocha shakes, and concretes from Ted Drewes. I love candy and treats from other countries.   If you could decorate/redecorate any 1 room in your home, what would it be and how would you decorate it?   We rent, so it's not really an option, but someday, my plan is to have a midnight blue bedroom and put dangling paper star lights from the ceiling along with twinkle lights on the ceiling for a night sky look!   Any rabid sports fans out there? What teams do you root for? Not at all. I don't like sports.   You're in the kitchen at the end of a pay period and groceries are scarce. Do you take the five ingredients you find first and make something fabulous, or do you order take out? I'd cook. It'd be like a challenge. Unless of course my five ingredients are all condiments. Then it's pizza night!   Favourite animal: Always cats. I love cats (domestic especially and big cats too). I also love polar bears, especially baby polar bears like Flocke. So cute!   This is how the world ends... zombie apocalypse, robot uprising, alien invasion, return of the elder gods... which doomsday scenario do you prefer (or make your own!)? Benevolent aliens come to destroy our earth fairly peacefully. Think The Day the Earth Stood Still, only we die in the end!   In the year 2525... if man is still alive... what sort of future do you imagine? I really hope we've advanced some and can solve some of the pressing questions of today.   Do you believe in magic (or magick, if you prefer)? What does it mean to you? Yes. I believe that people can be psychic and I think sometimes I have a little bit of intuition that helps me make decisions. I believe Tarot can be used in harmony with a good reader to learn more about decision-making. I believe in candle rituals with the use of TALs to concentrate on good outcomes. I buy small candles and anoint them with TAL oils, then light them while thinking about my intended outcome. If you found the puzzle box from Hellraiser, what would you do with it? ( and would you be able to resist playing with it?   I've never seen Hellraiser but I imagine I'd bury it!   Any cooks? Could you use anything cooking related? Aprons? Cookbooks? Measuring Cups? Recipes? Herb/Spice containers? Fancy Spices? Dish Towels? Cocktail napkins? Amazing Beaded Pot Holders? (like from our very own Pottersville! ) Something else?   I cook every single day and would love cooking related stuff. Cookbooks are wonderful, especially dessert ones (ice cream! I have Perfect Scoop though) and regional ones. I love old church cookbooks with cream-of everything recipes. I have an apron but a handmade one could be sweet. Recipes you love and treasure are FANTASTIC! Herbs and spices you like and think I'd enjoy (I love curries, for instance). I can always use dish/tea towels especially embroidered or cute. Basically if it's handy, special to your area, or you love it, I'd love it too.   Are you an avid reader? What's your favorite book/series? Yes, though I don't have as much time as I wish. I like science fiction and horror and comedy. I love Stephen King but have almost all of his books. I like Gaiman and am missing quite a few.   What's your favorite candy to stock up on at Halloween?   I like Butterfingers, Snickers, caramel apple pops (!!!) What are your phobias?   I hate being in elevators, especially alone. I also don't like tight, enclosed spaces.   What is your favourite flower (or plant)?   I love gladiolas, mints of all kinds, crazy daisies (daisies dyed colors), and basil.   Duct tape purses and wallets and things are pretty darned cool. Who else thinks so? Nah.   An anonymous benefactor gives you $500 (or an equivalent amount of money in your currency of choice) with the following stipulations. You must spend all of it within a week: any money left unspent must be returned. You must spend at least half of the money on yourself. You may not use it to pay off debts or bills of any kind. What do you do with the money?   Blow it all on makeup, jewelry, shoes, and perfume!   What was your favouritest job ever, and why?   I think when I did medical transcription editing in a small office. I liked everyone and it was quiet and I could do what I wanted.   Which three albums would you take to your apocalypse bolt hole and how would you power the generator?   Depeche Mode, Music for the Masses; XTC, Skylarking; XTC, Black Sea. I'd hook it up to a gigantic battery. Who knows?   What GC scent have you been putting off getting since it'll "always be there"? Antique Lace, a bottle of Snake Oil for aging, Masquerade.   Are you interested in things like home remedies for ailments, cleaning solutions, etc.? No thanks.   Super power? I'd love to fly.   If I send you whole spices or coffee beans, would you be able to grind them or would you prefer them preground for your convenience? No coffee, please, but I have a spice grinder.   For the tea and coffee drinkers: Opinion on tea- and/or coffee-related accessories/etc? (Teaware, sugar crystals, infusers, tea chests, etc)How do you take your coffee (or tea)? Black or with cream and/or sugar? Tea accessories, yay! Sugar crystals are neat. I'd love a tea chest to hold all of mine. They're just jumbled in a drawer right now. I drink my tea cold and without sugar generally. Some teas I drink hot though and with some stevia.   Restaurants you'd like a gift certificate to on Restaurant.com? None--small town, no restaurants around here that are on r.com.   In your perfect world it is chocolate and...? Caramel, minus the chocolate? Chocolate and caramel is good, as is + coconut and + mint. Milk choc only!   How do you scent your home: tarts, reed diffusers, BPAL, candles? Usually nag champa or Fred Soll incense. Sometimes candles but less often--I like them before they're burned Reed diffuser in the bathroom, about halfway finished though.   What's your favorite dessert treat? Ice cream? Cake? Pie? Fudge brownie cake with pie flavored ice cream on top? Creme brulee or tiramisu. Yummmm.   Do you believe we control our destiny, or does our destiny control us? We control it and we have choices.   What one thing that is missing from your life would you like to have above all else? I wish I could find a job I'd be happy doing. I don't love what I do. Many days I don't even like it.   Do sounds make you happy? What ambient noises make you smile? WINDCHIMES. So much. I love windchimes. And cats purring.   When you receive your SW packages...do you like receiving things that are individually wrapped inside? or unwrapped? or both? Doesn't matter! It's fine either way.   Of course, we're all going to be grateful no matter what our witches give us, but for the record, what is your anti-present? Tell us something that you think your future witch might give you that you absolutely, unequivocally DO. NOT. WANT.   I hate soap. Sorry, soap! Nothing against you. I just don't personally use it.   If you do any kind of craft, could you use supplies? What kind? knitting needles, yarn, amazing fabric, pinking shears, cool thimbles or pincushions, jewelry making supplies, beads, etc.?   I'm not too talented of a crafter, but I do make bath and body items, so scented oils to make those items (whether natural, like essential oils, or artificial--either is fine). Something like Daystar's perfume oils--I use those in bath bombs. They have a whole line of LUSH-like scents that are great; I've tried Honey I Washed the Kids and Candy Fluff.   What's your favorite pain-relief remedy or ritual?   Last night I had a terrible back-ache that kept me from sleeping. I took two ibuprofen and put a hot pad on my back and slept on my side. If it hadn't been 1 am I would have taken a very hot bath with some salts to try to help and drink some wine.   What BPAL scent have you never tried but always wanted to? What scent have you tried and LOVED, and haven't been able to get more of and why?   I want to try Pirate Moon because it has red musk in it, but it's aquatic sounding from the reviews, so I'm not sure if it would be good on me or not. I would love a tester of Pirate Moon. I recently fell in love with Ecstasy of Passion, which was dumb since I'll probably never find it anywhere. My trifecta of BPAL is Mitzvah, Underpants, and Spanked: three that I absolutely fanatically love and that are hard to find.   I know we're all scent sensitive here. What are your favorite non-perfume smells? Day in the life stuff?   I don't drink coffee but I do love the smell of it. I like coffee scented perfumes, air fresheners, etc. I love the smell of honeysuckle flowers, bruised mint leaves, and newly mown grass. The smell of beer when it's brewing is fantastic and one of the reasons I love to brew beer! And the smell of my kitties' fur, which I can't liken to anything else.   Coffee drinkers, what types of beans to you like? Kona, Sumatra, Kenya..etc. How do you like them roasted? Do you like flavors, such as hazelnut, vanilla, etc. in your coffee? No coffee, thank you.   Who has a birthday falling in this round? Soooo close but no. My birthday is after the round ends--11/20. I will be 32 this year! For those of us who like chocolate, do you like anything /in/ your chocolate, like fruit, nuts, or for the more daring among us, chilies? Yes! Typically chocolate by itself is a little too heady for me, so I like stuff in it. Chilies are awesome, as are cherries, hazelnuts, marzipan, caramel, coconut, and mint. I don't like peanuts; not too keen on almonds, though they're okay; no citrus fruits like lime, orange, or lemon. Oh, and I do love the sugar foam like in Crunchie bars--sometimes called seafoam or honeycomb. That stuff is the bomb in chocolate.   Are there any childhood shows/movies/games/books/etc. that still hold a really special place in your heart? I loved reading VC Andrews books when I was young and still have all my dog-eared copies and read them (re-reading My Sweet Audrina right now). My two favorite Disney movies were The Secret of NIMH and The Fox and the Hound. I must have watched those over and over. When I was young I played The Legend of Zelda on my Nintendo constantly and I watched Red Dwarf on TV. I tend to go back to comforting things like that a lot--I don't seek the new out often, but instead re-read or re-watch things I loved from long ago.   There has been a lot of talk about chocolate, but none about Candy! What is your favorite Candy? What candy do you hate?   I like hard candies of all kinds, especially the ones that taste like ice cream flavors or fruits or things like that. I like licorice--black licorice--and it reminds me of my dad, who always had licorice around for a snack. I love anything with sour powder on it and the more sour, the better. Those "nuclear warheads" candies are great--they're super-sour. I like dime store candy like Bleeps, Fruit Bon Bons, Root Beer Barrels, and Runts.   I don't like gummy candies, jelly candies, jelly beans, swedish fish, gummy worms, etc. If it's gooey and sticky inside, unless it's caramel, I probably will be grossed out. I can't stand watermelon flavor, so no watermelon gum or hard candy. I don't really like saltwater taffy or Starlight Mints (although I do like mint--just not mint discs).   My husband LOVES Atomic Fireballs and Smarties .   Do you have a Blu-Ray player? No. Do you have any objections to receiving downloads? Is your internet connection fast enough for you to download large files like music easily? No objection to downloads or torrented files. My internet connection is fairly fast but a burned CD or DVD would be easier.   Are there any songs, albums, movies, or TV shows that you can't find/haven't been released that you want?   There's a Mono Puff CD called Unsupervised that is out of print and I can never seem to find that I want.   What's something you're really looking forward to in the semi-near future?   Our two-year wedding anniversary is November 24, which is four days after my birthday, November 20. Also, a little further out, I'm really looking forward to the day we buy our first house. We're not ready yet but hoping next year maybe.   Could you use a 'travel' imp case? How many should it hold? That would be great! It could hold from 3 to 13--I like to travel with a small set of options.   What fictional character do you most identify with and why? Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye. One of my favorite books and I just love his dry wit, his feeling of alienation and being misunderstood, and being annoyed by everyone else with few exceptions. That's me!   As a witchee, would you prefer to have many little packages sent to you throughout the round with a not-so-big final package or fewer things throughout the round with one HUGE final package to seal the sweetness?   Honestly, I like little packages and e-cards frequently to let me know you're around, but if that's prohibitive for you for whatever reason, one or two larger packages is fine. I just like contact in terms of e-cards, emails, whatever to know you're thinking about SW!   Are you on any social networks (MySpace, Twitter, LJ, Facebook, Bebo, etc)? If so, make with the links! Are you open to new friends?   I'm on MySpace and Facebook but both are private. I'm also on Twitter but don't tweet, just follow.   What kind of socks?   Any kind! I am especially partial to fuzzy socks (chenille, etc.), stripey socks (of all colors and styles), and knee socks. But I have a special place in my heart for all kinds of socks. Pretty much you could go to SockDreams, pick anything, and I would love it. I wear a size 8.5 shoe so I can wear pretty much all socks.   How often do you update your wishlist?   If I'm doing a lot of swapping lately, usually as soon as I get packages in. So sometimes weekly/daily. But then other times I go a while without updating. Plus, keep in mind that my wishlist right now is pretty huge because I'm a completionist and I'm trying (slowly) to smell everything in BPAL-dom. We'll see how long that lasts. My real WISHlist is the top part of the wishlist link I have ... the scents I really want.   May I help you fill out your costuming wardrobe (assuming you costume)? Are there articles you are seeking to enhance your a) Halloween costume, Renfest attire, c) Cosplay, d) Steampunk accouterment?   I go to the local Ren Faire and usually dress up as a pixie in black clothing. I know, really authentic! I love anything that a fairy or pixie might wear, especially in black, blue, or in woodsy tones/colors. There's nothing I'm specifically seeking at the moment, though.   So, who has a store or ETSY shop or knows of a shop of a fellow BPALer that everybody needs to check out? I don't have a store and I have never bought from etsy (although I think it's awesome! just haven't made that step yet)   Who are your favorite artists/illustrators/art periods?   My favorite artist is Van Gogh. I love Monet also and I like Lichtenstein.   What's your stance on cranberries? They're okay in sauces and things. I don't really like them dried or chocolate covered (yuck). I do love the smell of them, though. The Body Shop has cranberry scented things that I love and I can't get normally because we don't have a Body Shop around here.   Do you mind receiving used (in good condition, of course) CDs or DVDs? (I know this question was on the questionnaire about books, but I didn't see one for DVDs or CDs.)   No, not at all.   Do you have a crush on anyone famous? Do you have a crush on any literary characters? Would you like fanfiction or fan art based on this/these people?   Alan Rickman (along with many other Switch Witches!) and Crispin Glover. I'm not really into fanfic but if you're crafty and want to make something cute with pictures of these guys or something, by all means!   You're at home, or out, and you want a snack. Something that will get you through to the next meal, or through to the end of school or what ever. What do you grab?   If I'm feeling healthy, a banana, apple, peach, or other fruit. Perhaps a yogurt or a bagel. If I'm feeling unhealthy, then potato chips or Bugles or cookies.   Do you have a favorite bpal bottle art?   I love the Underpants label (along with it being a favorite scent!) I also think the original Bitter Moon is beautiful--I have a trunk show bottle but I'd love an empty original Bitter Moon bottle so that I'd have the artwork. And I have been trying, and trying, and trying to get a bottle of Bakeneko with the cat on it. I love the little demon kitty and I have three cats, so it's a special bottle to me.   Are there any decants from the Halloweenies, Literary Vampires, Gris Grimly, or Hellboy that you would be interested in receiving? I've gotten decants of the Poes (Grimly), Halloweenies, and smelled Hellboy ones. The only one I didn't jump on that I now see good reviews for is The Girl. I'd kind of like to try The Girl to see if it would work on me despite the jasmine.   What is your idea of the perfect evening at home?   Sitting in front of a crackling fire (in our nonexistent fireplace), drinking hot tea, cocoa, or cider, watching a movie snuggled up with my husband and the kitties are on the couch with us. Then going to bed early and falling asleep easily so that I wake up nice and refreshed!   Most looking forward to in the 'Weenie update: Both Bite Me and Suck It sound right up my alley.   Who likes coloring books? Eh. I love LEGOs ... I use them for teaching! For the crafty people out there: would you prefer something crafted or crafting supplies?   Prefer something crafted, especially fabric/knitted, since I fail at those.   Can you use pill boxes, a hard ID case, coin purse, etc? Not that I can think of.   Any songs you are desperately into at the moment? Nothing desperately. I've been listening to Aphex Twin a lot lately as I grade. Also a lot of Daft Punk.   What's autumn like in your neck of the woods? What do you love and/or hate about it?   It's pretty. It's cool and at night it's perfect for hot tea. I hate the snow, though. I drive a Miata and I refuse to give it up, so it sits lonely for about 4-6 months in the winter if it snows.   What's your favorite product(s) at Trader Joe's? None nearby, so I have no clue.   If you're caught in front of the tv, what are you watching? A movie, since I don't watch TV!   Any Amy Brown art fans? Is she the one who does fairies and whatnot? No thanks.   How do you feel about Halloween music? (mix CDs, what have you) Ummm ... I guess I would tend more toward the goth side of the music and not near novelty Halloween music. Like, Ministry's "Every Day is Halloween" = good! "The Monster Mash" = bad.   Who else is reeeeeally looking forward to Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland? Not really. Burton's okay but not a favorite, and those promo pictures of Johnny Depp are creeping me out!   Is there a store that you love which does not have a location near you (but that has a physical presence somewhere, not just online? Why do you love it so much? Sephora and LUSH because I love their products.   Lolcats....yeah or nay? Heeeeeeeeeck YEAH! I love lolcats and I read I Can Has Cheezburger every single day.   What is your favorite creepy folk story or legend? I don't have one.   If your witch were to either write something for you or put together a collection of ghost stories, would you rather have it in writing, recorded as an oral telling, or both? Written, I suppose.   If you had the funds to commission an original painting for yourself, what would it be of? What would it be like- colors, size, style? I'd love to have one of my three kitties. And they would be on velvet.   Super villain or vigilante? Super villain.   What mythical or fantastic race of creatures (dragons, unicorns, griffins, elves, dwarves, faeries, etc.) do you most identify with, and why? I love the phoenix and I have a tattoo of a black phoenix on my lower back, gotten long before I knew BPAL existed! I think unicorns are nice too and I like to believe that the ice bears from His Dark Materials/The Golden Compass exist. My stuffed bear I sleep with at night is an ice bear   How do you feel about Dia de los Muertos? Are you interested in sugar skulls? Catrina (or other) skeleton figurines? I know little about it, despite the fact that I used to live in Tucson, Arizona. However, I would likely find it interesting if you were to share what you know about it.   Do you have a favorite poem or poet? E. E. Cummings is my favorite poet and I like nearly everything of his. Also I enjoy Sylvia Plath.   Would you like to receive something of this nature (sweet diva boxes) from your witch? I love surprises, so that could be really cool, as long as it wasn't ALL soap or something.   Pirate or Ninja? I think ninjas. But I like both. Pinjas? Nirates?   Are there any Gods, Goddess, or other mythological figures of whom you're particularly fond? Bastet because of my love for cats.   Are there any musicals you love? I'm not really a musicals person. However, I did make exceptions for Moulin Rouge, Across the Universe, and Dancer in the Dark. I like musicals where they take contemporary music and work it in to the scenes. I don't like old-time musicals. So my dear Witch, if you have suggestions for me based on the three I listed, please let me know!   How broad are your musical tastes? Pretty broad! I love music. I love receiving mix CDs of new things I might like *hint* I love getting mp3s or even suggestions of new artists or songs. Videos, too. I love watching old 80s videos, like Erasure, New Order, Depeche Mode, Information Society, etc. I can say unequivocally that I Do. Not. Want. country music of any kind, though. Nothing twangy, no bluegrass, no country.   Which of the seven deadly sins is most likely to be your undoing? Gluttony. I love food. I am a foodie. I cook every day and seek out new recipes, new ingredients, new techniques. However, sloth is a close second. I try to spend as much of my day doing as little as possible and I love sleep!   Would a "gift" donation to one of the organizations/causes you support be a great gift, or a lame gift? It would be wonderful. I would prefer donations made to animal organizations, maybe local to me or to you so that I feel the monies will be better spent. Or make a donation of food, blankets, toys, etc. to your local humane society and let me know. I would love that.   You're given the opportunity to apprentice at any trade (or craft) of your choosing for the period of one year. Your mentor may be any currently living person. Which field of study would you choose, and who would be your mentor?   Gads, too many to choose. The first thing that springs to my mind is stained glass. I always found the stained glass in church beautiful. Today I long for a house with stained glass windows. It sounds complicated and just the type of thing for apprenticing. Otherwise, I would go with glassblowing, perfumerie, or jewelry making with silver. Foodwise, I'd love to apprentice under Anthony Bourdain and learn the real ins and outs of being a gastrophile.   Who is musically inclined? What instruments (voice counts) do you play? I sing informally but no instruments. I took piano a long time ago but I don't think I was ever very good.   I have seen a lot of Yankee Candles haters..... Personally I like Yankee Candle (some of them, anyway). Do you or don't you, and if not, what candles do you like? This assumes you like candles. Otherwise, what specific home fragrance do you use?   Sure--I am not a candle snob by any means. I like Yankee's Coconut Bay, Sweet Strawberry, and Christmas Cookies. I have a tart burner and enjoy tarts of all kinds. I tend toward foody scents and fruits, no "clean cotton" or ocean type scents. I tend to burn a lot of incense and really enjoy trying new ones out.   How do you feel about clothing/accessories made from animals? Anti-fur, leather, shells, etc.? Does even faux wig you out? They do not bother me.   I am on an origami crane kick recently, so I wonder if anyone will be interested in origami crane earrings, origami crane in a glass vial (~1.2cm wide) phone charm/pendant or just a container filled with cranes of different sizes.   That would be neat! I actually have a lime green origami crane perched on top of my Mac here!   Would you want candles from this site, and if so, which scents interest you? http://www.darkcandles.com   Those look nice. I would try Attention Whore, Clove, Black Rose, Dark Carnival and Ballsy Broad.   Anyone want a nickname and embroidered headband from PandaBite? No thanks.   Are you into 80s movies (like i am ) if so, which are your favorites and who are your favorite characters?   Not particularly, which is funny given how much I love 80s music!   Do you like Villainess soaps? What are your favorite scents? No soap. Would love to try their perfumes, though!   Do you mind artificial colors in your food? No. Who wants hair pretties?(headbands, barrettes, pony-o's, scrunchies, bobby pins, hair clips, etc)   Yes! My hair is shoulder-length right now and I'm wearing a lot of barettes, headbands, and ponytail holders lately. Would love pretty ones!   If Beth made a perfume called "switch witch" what notes would be in it? Leather, spices, and sugar.   What is your favorite cookie type? Um ... all? Off the top of my head: ginger snaps, molasses cookies, "windmills," iced oatmeal (no raisins!), peanut butter, sugar cookies, sugar cookies with icing, lemon tea cookies, coconut macaroons ...   I have to say, I don't really like chocolate chip cookies, nor do I like cookies with raisins or nuts usually. Peanut butter cookies are great with smooth pb. And I don't like white chocolate, so something like white chocolate macadamia would be gross.   What is one thing you constantly keep with you that you constantly lose?   Ugh, keys! I'm always losing keys and getting locked out of things.   Lusting over anything from the Trading Post lately?   Oceans of Love and Millions of Kisses bath oil! I love orange blossom and honey.   Are you a Miyazaki fan? Do you have all the films you like, or is your collection missing one? Is there any merchandise you want?   I am! I love Ponpoko. I do not own any on DVD, actually. I love Totoro and the little dust balls from Spirited Away.   Do you wear lip gloss/lip balm? if so, what flavors/scents?   I do--usually vanilla or fruit. I have right here a vanilla one and an orange one. I like to have many different flavors/scents to play with. I HATE Carmex, though. What are your favorite fruits?   I love cherries and strawberries most of all, followed by mango, coconut, banana, and pineapple. I hate avocados and watermelon. I'm not big on peaches and grapes; they're just okay.   Do you drink alcohol? Wine, beer or liquor? What is your favorite wine/beer/mixed drink?   Yes--I am a homebrewer of both mead/wine and beer. I love Hefeweizens, Irish red ales, cream ales, and Snakebites (cider + Guinness). For mixed drinks, I usually do a vodka and tonic with lime, extra lime. And for wine, I usually drink Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Gris/Grigio/Noir. And I love hard apple cider.   Do you like to find out there's a package on the way or to receive a tracking number to stalk, or do you prefer surprise packages? Either way! I love surprises but it's also nice to anticipate.   Beet parchment bowl by Margaret Dorfman? Those look AWESOME.   If I were your witch, and I wanted to make you a spell or mojo bag, would you be into that? or would you want it for a certain element? or would you want it for something more personal- and what might that be? I would love one for concentration/drive. I am so flighty in terms of sitting down and doing things.   Lollyphile? Oh my gosh, that place looks great. I like unusual flavored candies. I would pick lavender, bourbon, or White Russian! No bacon or wasabi ginger though. Or I'd go for the Boozy mixed pack!   Would you object to anonymous postcards (real ones) from your witch before the big reveal???   That would be really cool. I love getting actual, honest-to-goodness mail: letters and such.   Do you collect new/used stamps? Will you like to get stamps on your mails?   I'm not a stamp collector.   For you tea drinkers, are you partial to tea bags or loose tea? How about tea paraphernalia?   I drink both, but I actually prefer tea bags for iced tea and loose for hot tea. So, a fruit tea would be great in bags; a chai or a spicy tea would be good loose. I love the colored sugar at SBS teas and colored or fancy sugar in general.   Have you ever considered paper bead jewelry?   They look very cute, and I tend to like jewelry of all kinds.   I was wondering how you feel about burned DVDs. And do you have/want Repo?   I don't mind burned/downloaded anything. I don't know much at all about Repo ... enable me!   How do you feel about stationery? (pens, notepads, cards, pencils, etc.)   I love stationery--writing paper or cards. I have some small cards from the last round, but I just used up my last page of actual writing paper yesterday. I love designs that are cute or Japanese stationery. I write letters to friends so it's always handy to have writing paper, stickers, cute stuff like that. I don't use pencils; only pens.   WKAP scents?   Nah. I smelled the protos at Convergence and I was unimpressed. Nothing really calls to me and I'd probably rather get the Yules, whatever they will be.   Which shoes do you own that are your favorite? What are your "daily drivers"?   I wear ballet flats constantly. My favorite pair of shoes is a pair that has a design split across both shoes. They're by a company called Camper. One side says "I love you," and the other says "I love you not" and they have little flower petals falling! They're adorable. I enjoy wearing different shoes and they tend to be flats. Oh, and I live in flip flops during the summer.   And I must say, those Vibram shoes talked about in the thread squick me out.   If you could describe yourself in 5 words, what would they be?   All-purpose cultural cat girl! (niche anime reference...)   Who collects ACEOs/ATCs?   Nope.   Do you use henna at all (hair or skin)? No.   What about 2010 Wall calendars? Or 2010 journals or appointment diaries? What subject? I like large wall calendars and usually with images of cats on them. I'm particular about my day planner and buy one certain brand.   What are your thoughts on Halloween decorations?   I have some and they are nice, although I don't go all out and it's usually just some candles and whatnot. I can go either way with them-some years I put up decorations, other years I don't.   What tarot card do you most identify with?   I'm still learning tarot so I am not able to answer this question yet.   Are you a Formula 1 fan and will you like a F1 lanyard (& the pass)? No.   Are there any languages other than English that you love?   Japanese. I've tried several times to learn it. I find the kanji beautiful and the culture fascinating.   Who here is a fan of Adagio teas? Would you like some? Favorites? What sounds interesting to you?   I love tea of most kinds and I haven't specifically tried Adagio but would love to. I like black teas with flavoring and rooibos. A sampler to try many things would be fantastic. Otherwise, I tend to love almond, chocolate, mint and blends of the same. I also like strawberry but just by itself usually. And birthday tea fascinates me.   Would you like more contact from your witch? (I'm talking particularly about email)   I love contact--e-cards, email, whatever! Please, inundate me!   Do you like Celtic things? Not particularly.   Can you receive flowers at your address? Would you prefer food or a plant instead?   Yes, but I am weird in that flowers seem so disposable (they die too quickly). I'd love a plant that I could care for inside the house or plant outside (though it's getting cold). Food is always welcome!   Would you mind vintage clothes?   No clothes--I'm too hard to fit. Accessories are fine (hats, jewelry, scarves, socks, etc.)   Decorated journals?   That would be great for my handwritten stuff.   What are your thoughts on Incense? Love it, all kinds (I have charcoal to burn loose).   What about handbags/totes/clutches? I'm pretty set on bags.   Are there any particular movies you want on DVD? What DVD or CD are you embarrassed to admit that you want badly? Nothing I can think of. I want Mono Puff's Unsupervised CD but I'm not embarrassed.   What about stickers?? Stickers are cool, especially glittery or sparkly ones! I put them on my letters.   Do you need anything from the Possets update? Do you want anything from the Haunt update? No. I don't wear Possets/Haunt.   Do you have a celebrity look a like? Not that I know of.   Would you like some homemade food from your witch? Very much!   Comic books/graphic novels? I don't really read them.   What are your feelings towards the Batman Begins or Quantum of Solace movies? They're ok. My husband watches them more than me.   If you had a machine that could take you to an alternate dimension that you could control or would like, what would be in it, who would be there, and how long would you stay?   I would go back in time and go to vet school rather than doing an English PhD. I think I'd be much happier working with animals.   Suppose I have a bottle of something you (my witchee) really wants, and I want to share it with you. Would you like a rollerball bottle made from oil in my own bottle in it? Sure, I'm not picky.
Ondine

Ondine

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Forspecial Plate's Blog
 

Pending....

Well I'll be damned......how did I end up with all this stuff pending??   Decants.....   Carlin, Feeding The Dead, Hell-Gate Of Ireland, Lambs-Wool, Trick Or Treat, and Devil's Night   Countess Dolingen Of Gratz, Sarah, and Julia Stone   A Fit Of Artistic Enthusiasm, and Hideous Heart   Trevor Bruttenhelm, and Abe Sapien   (a total of lucky 13!)   Lab order.......   Falling Leaf Moon, Kroenen, and 2 bottles for Moonarcana.   Woo Hoo! This always happens at the beginning of fall.
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Forspecial Plate's Blog
 

Egg Nog (2007 I think)

I tried this today, after the decant sat for a long time untouched. I was a little dismayed because it was barely there, and I thought it had aged badly or something. Then I read other reviews and I guess I'm not the only one! There is a little bit of throw, just a faint, sweet vanilla type of scent, with no spices or rum or anything like that. It's a cakey sort of scent, and I can barely pick up what might be some spices, only when I sniff up close.
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Forspecial Plate's Blog
 

Moody Myrtle

I have quit smoking again. I worked myself up to it, picked a date, and took the plunge. Please excuse any moody outbursts, I apologize in advance.   I also quit drinking, since that usually leads to smoking (music leads to dancing, and dancing leads to touching).   Anyway, this shouldn't be hard for me, I have already quit both for over 7 years in the past, and I was pretty dumb to start again.
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syrenemyst's Blog
 

SW Weenie '09

Are there any Gods, Goddess, or other mythological figures of whom you're particularly fond? not really   Super villain or vigilante? Which would you like to be? Which would you like to receive? Sometimes i'd like to be or have both depending on my mood and who I want to hurt and why.   What mythical or fantastic race of creatures (dragons, unicorns, griffins, elves, dwarves, faeries, etc.) do you most identify with, and why?   How do you feel about Dia de los Muertos?Are you interested in sugar skulls? Catrina (or other) skeleton figurines?I've never had any so they would be kind of cool to have   Do you have a favorite poem or poet? no not really.   For the crafty people out there: would you prefer something crafted or crafting supplies?supplies, I think would be better for me   Can you use pill boxes, a hard ID case, coin purse, etc? sure, if my witch makes one, otherwise I don't really need one   Any songs you are desperately into at the moment?   What's autumn like in your neck of the woods? What do you love and/or hate about it?It's always beautiful here in the autumn. I love the colors, the smell and the lack of bugs.   What's your favorite product(s) at Trader Joe's?I've never been to one, so I have no idea   If you're caught in front of the tv, what are you watching?pick a day, it could be House, Heros, Ugly Betty, it could be SYTYCD, DWTS, or AI in the summer it could be The Closer, Leverage or Burn Notice. Iwatch WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYtoo much tv   Any Amy Brown art fans?it's pretty stuff, but not really for me   How do you feel about Halloween music? (mix CDs, what have you)sure   Who else is reeeeeally looking forward to Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland? I am . it looks interesting   Is there a store that you love which does not have a location near you (but that has a physical presence somewhere, not just online? Why do you love it so much? not that I can think of   Lolcats....yeah or nay?yeah, whenever I see them or remember to visit the site   What is your favorite creepy folk story or legend?   If your witch were to either write something for you or put together a collection of ghost stories, would you rather have it in writing, recorded as an oral telling, or both?written, definitely   If you had the funds to comission an original painting for yourself, what would it be of? What would it be like- colors, size, style?I don'tknow I never thought about it before   What's something you're really looking forward to in the semi-near future? Christmas   What fictional character do you most identify with and why?I have to think about this one   As a witchee, would you prefer to have many little packages sent to you throughout the round with a not-so-big final package or fewer things throughout the round with one huge final package to seal the sweetness? however my witch prefers   What is your idea of the perfect evening at home?my hubby, the couch and some alone time.   What kind of socks?none   How often do you update your wishlist?I don't have a BPAL wishlist.. I know for shame!   May I help you fill out your costuming wardrobe (assuming you costume)? Are there articles you are seeking to enhance your a) Halloween costume, Renfest attire, c) Cosplay, d) Steampunk accouterment? no thanks   What's your stance on cranberries?i like cranberry juice but that's about it   Do you mind receiving used (in good condition, of course) CDs or DVDs?that's fine   Do you have a crush on anyone famous? Do you have a crush on any literary characters? Would you like fanfiction or fan art based on this/these people? noand not for me thanks   You're at home, or out, and you want a snack. Something that will get you through to the next meal, or through to the end of school or what ever. What do you grab?pretzels or fruit... otherwise, I stand looking into the fridge wishing for something good.   Do you have a favorite bpal bottle art? not really   Are there any decants from the Halloweenies, Literary Vampires, Gris Grimly, or Hellboy that you would be interested in receiving? none thanks.     There has been a lot of talk about chocolate, but none about Candy! What is your favorite Candy? What candy do you hate?I don't like marshmallows that much. I love Jelly Bellies, Canadian Mints, caramels, Werther's   Do you have a Blu-Ray player?no   Do you have any objections to receiving downloads? Is your internet connection fast enough for you to download large files like music easily? Are there any songs, albums, movies, or TV shows that you can't find/haven't been released that you want? no objection here. I would love to have the second half of Blood Ties     If you do any kind of craft, could you use supplies? What kind? knitting needles, yarn, amazing fabric, pinking shears, cool thimbles or pincushins, jewelery making supplies, beads, etc.? I love beads, and scrap paper, old watch parts, neat boxes. Those kinds of things   What's your favorite pain-relief remedy or ritual?motrin, a pillow and a closed door   Do sounds make you happy? What ambient noises make you smile?my daughter's little snores, a fan, puppy whimpers, sweet nothings, chirpping birds, crickets at night. I love when the house is quiet at night.   When you receive your SW packages...do you like receiving things that are individually wrapped inside? or unwrapped? or both?I admit, I love things all wrapped up.   Of course, we're all going to be grateful no matter what our witches give us, but for the record, what is your anti-present? Tell us something that you think your future witch might give you that you absolutely, unequivocally DO. NOT. WANT. TEA,TEA,TEA or anything from ISLE OF EDEN     What BPAL scent have you never tried but always wanted to? What scent have you tried and LOVED, and haven't been able to get more of and why?I have to thiunk about that.   I know we're all scent sensitive here. What are your favorite non-perfume smells? Day in the life stuff? I love warm fresh dried laundry, it has to be my most favorite non perfume smell. Baking bread, cookies, a newly bathed baby... gosh, tons of things     Who has a birthday falling in this round?not me, but my wedding anniversary is 10/7   For those of us who like chocolate, do you like anything /in/ your chocolate, like fruit, nuts, or for the more daring among us, chilies? I like my chocolates plain or with nuts like almods or peanuts (no walnuts for me)   Are there any childhood shows/movies/games/books/etc. that still hold a really special place in your heart?Chronicles of Naria   Super power?I already have one. I have Mommy Eyes! For real, I would love to be able to move things or teleport.   If I send you whole spices or coffee beans, would you be able to grind them or would you prefer them preground for your convenience?either way would be fine.   For the tea and coffee drinkers: Opinion on tea- and/or coffee-related accessories/etc? (Teaware, sugar crystals, infusers, tea chests, etc)How do you take your coffee (or tea)? Black or with cream and/or sugar? I don't like tea and only enjoy coffee on the rare occassion   Restaurants you'd like a gift certificate to on Restaurant.com?none   In your perfect world it is chocolate and...? Someone said Jensen Ackles. I could go with that. Or Jeffery Dean, I saw that one too. My hubby works too.   How do you scent your home: tarts, reed diffusers, BPAL, candles?Sometimes candles, sometimes tarts but I have to watch the kid and the cats. Othertimes, room sprays. Incense now gives me terrible headaches   Do you believe we control our destiny, or does our destiny control us? I like to think I control my destiny. But, I've been wrong about things before and probably will be again.   What one thing that is missing from your life would you like to have above all else?good health   What was your favouritest job ever, and why?being a mom. The pay and the hours can suck, but the reward of seeing my child grow makes it all worth it.   Which three albums would you take to your apocalypse bolt hole and how would you power the generator?   What GC scent have you been putting off getting since it'll "always be there"?none at the moment   Are you interested in things like home remedies for ailments, cleaning solutions, etc.? I am always up to learn new ideas and home approaches to things   Any cooks? Could you use anything cooking related? Aprons? Cookbooks? Measuring Cups? Recipes? Herb/Spice containers? Fancy Spices? Dish Towels? Cocktail napkins? Amazing Beaded Pot Holders? (like from our very own Pottersville! ) Something else? I have a Pottersville beaded pothold (it's awesomoe). Anything for use in the kitchen would definitely get used.   What's your favorite candy to stock up on at Halloween?candy corn. My husband, my daughter and both my dogs love it.   What are your phobias?going over bridges, I prefer to ride smack in the middle so I can't get driven off.   What is your favourite flower (or plant)?tiger lilies   Duct tape purses and wallets and things are pretty darned cool. Who else thinks so?I think anyone who can make something like that out of duct tape is very talented, but they're not for me.   An anonymous benefactor gives you $500 (or an equivalent amount of money in your currency of choice) with the following stipulations. You must spend all of it within a week: any money left unspent must be returned. You must spend at least half of the money on yourself. You may not use it to pay off debts or bills of any kind. What do you do with the money?   Who likes coloring books?I have a seven year old, so it's kind of a prerequisite in my house.   Are you an avid reader? What's your favorite book/series?I love the Harry Dresden Books, The Huntress series by Jeanine Frost, I loved the Anita Blake series before it went all weird. The Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine.   If you could decorate/redecorate any 1 room in your home, what would it be and how would you decorate it I'd love to have a Victorian sitting room. However, my husband would retaliate with a South Western, Tex Mex bedroom.! LOL   This is how the world ends... zombie apocalypse, robot uprising, alien invasion, return of the elder gods... which doomsday scenario do you prefer (or make your own!)? I hope the world just ends with a simple "Goodnight and goodbye" and then the lights go out.   In the year 2525... if man is still alive... what sort of future do you imagine? I picture things pretty much the same, only people will be a bit nastier and bit lazier.   Do you believe in magic (or magick, if you prefer)? What does it mean to you? I do. It might sound trite, but a sunrise, a baby's laugh, seeing my kid when she fianlly "gets it", a snuggle from my hubby, Christmas lights in the snow, gosh the list could go on and on. I think there is a bit of magic in everything, we just forget to look for it.   If you found the puzzle box from Hellraiser, what would you do with it? ( and would you be able to resist playing with it? )I'd fart around with it and then toss it aside when I got frustrated. I'd never wind up getting it opened.   Do you like pinup art/images? They are definitely pretty   What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions? Taking my daughter trick or treating. We didn't at first, but last year was her first time and she had a blast, so we are going to try and do something really fun before hand and then go out candy begging.   Any rabid sports fans out there? What teams do you root for? no sports for me.   You're in the kitchen at the end of a pay period and groceries are pretty scarce. Do you take the five ingredients you find first and make something fabulous, or do you order take out?   Sometimes it's random items from the fridge and cabinet and sometimes take out. It depends on the look on my husband's face when I mention the slap dash dish.   Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone, and yes there can be multiple people) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? And, of course, if a picnic lunch sounds like a horrible idea, feel free to say so!I'd have to think about this one.   Who are your BPAL forum buddies? You know, people I could conspire with to Witch you! I don't have any close friends on the forum. But, I think there might be a few who would conspire to help my witch.What is your favorite color?   Any other steampunk fans/lovers?I love the steampunk aesthetic, however, it's impractical for me right now to incorporate it into my lifestyle. I think the jewelry I create is really more steampunk inspired than full steampunk. I only wish I was more crafty and could make some of the magnificent items I've seen around. I did sign up for the steampunk swap and can only hope whoever I get is happy with their gift!   Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone, and yes there can be multiple people) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? And, of course, if a picnic lunch sounds like a horrible idea, feel free to say so!   Would any witches be interested in home-made sewn type crafts? If so, what type? (e.g. tote bags, pillowcases, laptop covers, etc) Again, whatever my witch decided to create for me would be loved and cherished!   What's your favorite animal? (You can have more than one.) I love dogs and cats but my favorite animal, unequivocally, is the groundhog!!! carwoman knows!   Any Gamers here? What kind? Board games? RPG? Miniature? MMORPG? not me   Is anyone playing this round of SW into ABJ? (asian ball jointed dolls) not me   What is your favorite Halloween icon? black cat   Imagine that you're given a shoebox-sized time capsule, and you are asked to put any number of items in the box that symbolize who you are. The items can be may be anything you can imagine, and money is no object, but they must fit within the box. Which items do you choose?Let's see: BPAL Pinched, a copy of any Sting album,my Ipod, watch parts, pictures of family and friends, my van keys, scrunchie, and a cell phone.   Are you involved in any long-term, ambitious project? something like decorating your house or saving for a trip to the other end of the world, for example. other than saving for s new house someday, nothing else.   Favorite kind or take out kinda burger? Whats your burger preference? Veggie,meat or ???? any beef burger is my favorite. I have no real favorite place.   Whats your favorite childhood toy? my sock monkey   If you have a pet, what kind of gifts would be good for them?dogs love chew toys and balls, cats love catnip   Do you Tweet? What is your Twitter name? I tweet on occasion. my name is the same my forum name   Are you on Ravelry? What is your Ravelry name? I'm not on Ravelry   What are everyone's favorite Halloween-y/Autumn-y/spooky movies? Are there any you don't own but would like to?I have to think about this one   Are roasted pumpkin seeds and home made chex mix the best fall snack foods, or what?I don't like pupkin seeds but chex mix is awesome   Whats your favorite pie, my dear SW's? apple. I love a good apple pie   What kinda socks ar you wearing tonight? no socks for me.   Do you like socks? Blankets? Wrist warmers? Arm warmers? Headband? Shawl? Or what kind of knitted thing would you love the most? I don 't have a preference for anything but,anything my witch made for me would be well loved.   How do you feel about ghost stories? Do you like to tell the old tales around a campfire? Read true accountson the web way past your bedtime? I like some scary stories. More psychological than gory, just like my movies. I like things that have a more paranormal edge, like vamps, werewolves etc and less real. I don't care for anything zombie related.   Do you like to pick up a good anthology of Poe stories on a blustery day? Or is all that too scary for you? I've never really gotten into Poe.   Who here is LOVING Warehouse 13?I haven't watched it yet, but I am DVRing then to watch soon.   Nother question! Coffee or Tea?neither for me thanks!   Interested in locally produced products? Food, skincare or both?Olive oil? Lavender oils or soaps?I love lavender, so that would be awesome!   Does anyone in here wear a lot of dangly earrings or collect pendants of all kinds?? How about hair clips or pony tail band things?I love scrunchies, not into dangling earrings. I love pretty pendants too.   What is your favourite historical period? Victorian   What other hot beverages everyone likes for fall? hot chocolate   Did you order anything from the most recent update?nope, I have just about everything on order for my decant circles   Vampires or Werewolves? Or some other monster?Vamps and Weres both!!   What sort of odd or regional foods do you crave? nothing at the moment
syrenemyst

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SW questions and such...
 

SW Fall '09 questions part 2

(I use too many emoticons for one post apparently)   Are you involved in any long-term, ambitious project? something like decorating your house or saving for a trip to the other end of the world, for example. I'm trying (very unsuccessfully) to save up for a new tattoo.   Favorite kind or take out kinda burger? Whats your burger preference? Veggie,meat or ???? I don't like hamburgers. I used to be a vegetarian but gave it up when I discovered the joys of sushi.   Whats your favorite childhood toy? Probably Legos or something. Tinkertoys were fun too.   If you have a pet, what kind of gifts would be good for them? I have many cats and I"m sure they'd appreciate toys and bits and bobs. We don't really give them treats much...   Do you Tweet? What is your Twitter name? I have a twitter but barely use it. My name there is taisgaidh.   Are you on Ravelry? What is your Ravelry name? I don't know what that is.   Would any witches be interested in home-made sewn type crafts? If so, what type? (e.g. tote bags, pillowcases, laptop covers, etc..) A laptop cover would be AWESOME! But anything on that list and more would rock!! Anything my witch wanted to make for me, or contract someone to make, would be super cool!   Any other steampunk fans/lovers? I like a lot of the steampunky jewelry I see on etsy and things like that. I'd like to learn more about steampunk as a whole.   Favorite color: I think I did a pretty good job covering it in my questionnaire. Black and purple are my favorites, but there's no color I really dislike. It also depends on what you're talking about. Jewelry: anything goes, clothes: not much just because some colors clash with my coloring.   Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? And, of course, if a picnic lunch sounds like a horrible idea, feel free to say so! Well, an idea I've hd in my head for a long time (that I want to do if I can) is that I'd love to have a picnic on a cliff (maybe overlooking the ocean? Maybe not) at sunset with my boyfriend. We'd bring chocolate covered strawberries and other such romantic foods. Does that count? If not then I'd just invite all the people I know from the BPAL forum and have a biiiiiiig picnic with tons of different kinds of food.   Do you like pinup art/images? I covered this in my questionnaire but: YES! I love pinup art! My parents got me a calendar of pinup art for Christmas last year and I really wish I had a book of pinup art.   What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions? I don't really have any Halloween traditions. I used to go trick-or-treating but I don't anymore and my area is not so great for trick or treating anyway. I'll probably just stay in and give out candy to the 2 people who come to my house. I was thinking about going to the Dethklok and Mastodon concert that's coming to my area on Halloween but I probably won't end up going.   Who are your BPAL forum buddies? You know, people I could conspire with to Witch you! The people who come to mind first are sirensea (My witch from last round) and chimera87. But I talk to Dark Alice more than other people on this forum and I consider her a friend. I'm always afraid of calling people (especially people I don't know irl) fiends because I'm afraid they don't think of me the same way and it would lead to awkwardness. /insecurity   You're in the kitchen at the end of a pay period and groceries are pretty scarce. Do you take the five ingredients you find first and make something fabulous, or do you order take out? A lot of times the fallback "we don't have any food" meal is pasta with a mixed veggie (whatever we have) sauce-type thing with olive oil and garlic. It's sort of hard to explain I guess but it's very tasty.   Do you believe in magic (or magick, if you prefer)? What does it mean to you? This a really hard question to answer. Magic, to me, is when a person directs his or her energy towards a certain purpose. And I suppose I believe that how people concentrate their energy can have an impact. I don't do any formal magic (like rituals or anything) but I have been known to attempt to focus my energy.   If you could decorate/redecorate any 1 room in your home, what would it be and how would you decorate it? My choice of redecoration would be my room. And I think I covered in my questionnaire how I'd decorate.   Any rabid sports fans out there? what teams do you root for? I'm not really a sports person   What's your favorite animal? (you can have more than one.) SNAILS! my number one favorite are snails. I also like frogs.   This is how the world ends... zombie apocalypse, robot uprising, alien invasion, return of the elder gods... which doomsday scenario do you prefer (or make your own!)? Yeep. I don't want the world to end! I enjoy reading about zombie apocalypse type things but I would be terrified if such a thing were to happen. However, I really enjoyed The Stand by Stephen King and I often think about how I would try to survive if suddenly millions of people died out.   In the year 2525... if man is still alive... what sort of future do you imagine? hmmm, that's another tough one. I am actually kind of paranoid about people becoming too dependent on machines and AI. So, a super technology filled future would be cool but also scary (to me). So I really don't know...   Favorite Halloween candy: mini Krackel bars. all the mini Hershey's bars really. I also like Skittles and sour gummy worms. (Gummi worms are kind of hard to give out for Halloween though.)   If you found the puzzle box from Hellraiser, what would you do with it? ( and would you be able to resist playing with it?) I have no idea what that is. I've never seen/read/whatever Hellraiser. I am interested now though.   Phobias: when people open car doors while the car is moving (I once yelled at my boyfriend because he did that when I wasn't expecting ), I don't like using electric mixers or being in elevators (I'm not claustrophobic, I'm okay with other enclosed spaces. I just really don't like using elevators). The sound of balloons popping used to make me cry. I still don't like it but I'm better about it now.   Favorite flowers: If you were giving me a bouquet, my favorites are white roses and tiger-lilies. If we're talking real, live plants: orchids... If I think of any more I'll add them in.   Any cooks? Could you use anything cooking related? Aprons? Cookbooks? Measuring Cups? Recipes? Herb/Spice containers? Fancy Spices? Dish Towels? Cocktail napkins? Amazing Beaded Pot Holders? (like from our very own Pottersville! ) Something else? I don't cook that much but an Amazing Beaded Pot Holder would be pretty awesome.   Are you an avid reader? What's your favorite book/series? Oh yes. I think I did a pretty good job of covering this in my questionnaire, but please let me know if you want to know more.   Coloring books: I actually do like them.   Do you have a Good Reads profile? If so, make with the link! If you don't have one, go make one! I don't have one. I've never heard of it. Maybe I'll o poke around later.   What was your favouritest job ever, and why? I've only ever had one job. And now that the company's tanking and they had to lay off 80% of their staff (including me) I need to find another one. That job was at a plant nursery and store. It was fun. I met some awesome people there and learned a lot about houseplants (that was the department I worked in).   What GC scent have you been putting off getting since it'll "always be there"? Oh man. There are a ton of these. My orders are almost always only or mostly LE. Which is bad because I'm freaking out since there have been a bunch of discontinuations lately. I really need a new bottle of Xiuhtecuhtli since I ruined mine a while back. And bottles of TKO, Depraved, The Bow and Crown of Conquest, and De Sade since I really love them and only have imps. I also keep meaning to buy a bottle of Snake Oil to cellar for a good long time. I've tried it before but wasn't impressed and I'm hoping I'd like it more aged.   Are you interested in things like home remedies for ailments, cleaning solutions, etc.? yes please!
unlaced

unlaced

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tartchef's Blog
 

SW Random questions 9/4

What sort of odd or regional foods do you crave? Oh man, I am SO glad this was asked.   A bit of back story: My entire family is English, proper living-in-the-UK English. I was born & raised in Canada & the US, but my parents steeped me in English culture - I have never lived there, but in some ways it is very much home to me. (Can you get nostalgic for a place you've never lived?) There are so many things that I had as a kid that I pine for now - when we lived in Chicago, most of it was easily obtainable, but now we're in PA, my options are shot.   Hard-to-find British foodstuffs that make me all wibbly & happy: Branston Pickle Milky Bars Black currant/gooseberry jam (though honestly, I am a jam whore - any kind will do!) Thick honey (Waitrose's Tanzanian Leatherwood & Sunflower honeys, esp) Battenburg Dark chocolate & plain Digestives (I could eat whole sleeves of the plain ones) Shredless marmalade (this is for my Mum, who had to turn her jar over to Customs on the flight home ) Smarties Rose's/Quality Street Taylor's of Harrogate Scottish Breakfast tea (loose or bags) Yorkshire Gold tea (loose or bags) Thank you!   Is anyone playing this round of SW into ABJ? (asian ball jointed dolls) No dolls at all, thank you.   Whats your favorite childhood toy? Oo. I was a nerdy bird even then, so books top the list. Colored pencils. I did have a doll house that got a lot of attention... Mostly I liked just exploring in the woods & fields, poking around in the mud & picking black raspberries... What is your favorite Halloween icon? Mm, bonfires. Punkies & all manner of lanterns. Bare trees, blowing leaves.   Favorite kind of take out kinda burger? Whats your burger preference? veggie, meat or ???? Gotta be veggie... there was a place in Evanston that did fantastically greasy, crispy veg burgers. Cheese, mustard, extra pickles   Imagine that you're given a shoebox-sized time capsule, and you are asked to put one item in that box that symbolizes who you are. It may be anything you can imagine, and money is no object, but you are limited to one item, and it must fit within the box. What item do you choose? A picture of a spreading tree, ancient & rooted to the center of the earth. As you tilt the photo, the tree reveals itself in different guises, according to the seasons. Its branches dance in the wind, showering the ground with scarlet leaves & huge ruddy gold apples. Its blossoms catch on the breeze & spiral toward heaven, and the swallows dive & flit between the petals. It stretches its roots to drink in the warm summer downpour. Its boughs shimmer with frost & shelter a myriad of tiny birds, fluffed out against the winter chill. Because it is a magic card, you can feel the breeze & smell the blossoms as you shift the photo, and an occasional swallow darts out of the picture & flutters about your head.   Are you involved in any long-term, ambitious project? something like decorating your house or saving for a trip to the other end of the world, for example. Ooooooh, the house. The house, the house, the house. (And raising our 3-year-old. But that's different.)   We bought a 1915 Arts & Crafts-style shingle bungalow 2 1/2 years ago, and it is our joy & our despair. So much potential, so much character, so much that needs work. We are trying to do some uplifting, cosmetic/quality of life projects, but the money & time keep getting diverted to basic safety/code compliance/major system issues. I am desperate to get the lighting re-done before winter sets in - it is awful, badly wired & UGLY, and parts of the house look worse than they really are, simply because the lighting is so bad. If you have a pet, what kind of gifts would be good for them? No pets, but I do spoil the local song birds A seed sock or small shelf feeder might be nice (something I can mount on the fence that faces the kitchen window), and I have to replace the suet cake every 3-4 days in the depths of winter... We get wrens, cardinals, mourning doves, juncos, chickadees, and the occasional titmouse, jay, and goldfinch. The wrens are my favorite   Twitter? Technically yes, but I rarely use it. It's strictly for work crap.   Ravelry? Oh yes. I am tartchef there, as well.   Would any witches be interested in home-made sewn type crafts? If so, what type? (e.g. tote bags, pillowcases, laptop covers, etc..) Absolutely - we are trying to ditch plastic grocery bags, so sturdy totes would be awesome. Tiny C is into packing his lunches now, so a neat lunch sack for him would make his day! Bonus points for Pixar Cars print, or sushi fabric What's your favorite color? Green, in nearly all its permutations, but grey is gaining as I get older...   Any other steampunk fans/lovers? Yes indeedy!
tartchef

tartchef

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Y Ffwrnais Awen
 

Fall Switch Witch 2009 questions

9/28What are your thoughts on incense? I like it, but I have plenty.What about handbags/totes/clutches? Being in a wheelchair doesn't afford one much use of one's pockets. I'm always on the lookout for a new pouch for my wallet, checkbook, pens and other incidentals. I generally prefer leather, but my primary requirements are that it must hang comfortably from a seatbelt without being burdensome in a sitting position. It must be easy to open can access in that position. It shouldn't be too bulky, otherwise it makes it more difficult to fit under tables. If that seems like a tall order, well... you can see why I'm always on the lookout for a better solution. Are there any particular movies you want on DVD? My Amazon wish list covers this pretty well. I've been adding things to it regularly as I think of them. What about stickers??Stickers clash heavily with my OCD. In the first place, my brain objects to marring the pristine surfaces of things. I don't even like it when they put the Windows and Intel stickers on my laptop. In the second place, a pristine sheet of stickers carries an enormous amount of possibility. I have trouble using them because once a sticker is peeled and placed, its nearly limitless potential is gone. Yes, I understand how neurotic that sounds.I do think I need the bumper sticker featured in this comic: http://wondermark.com/552/9/24Do you use henna at all? I don't use either, myself. I tend to associate it with holidays, weddings, and births, and I confess that, to me, it looks out of place in most other contexts. It would be something I'd consider doing for my wedding, were I to get married, and were my fiancée interested. Apart from that, I can't really see myself using it.What about 2010 Wall calenders? Or 2010 journals or appointment diaries? What subject? Wall calendars are wasted on me. The same is true for journals and appointment diaries. I haven't seen my favorite calendar in a long time (I used to get one that was oversized and featured reproductions of medieval musical manuscripts). Nowadays, I don't really have the space or inclination to hang one.I really do use schedulers at all, however, now that they've unveiled Microsoft's Courier tablet, I will be greedily coveting one once they become available.What are your thoughts on Halloween decorations? As I grow older, I find I really like fun, cute decorations (but not cutesy). I'm very partial to ghosts (I love hauntings and ghost stories in general), particularly Pac Man ghosts.With which tarot card do you most identify? I tend to vacillate between the Kings: wands, cups, swords, but never pentacles. I'm not a particularly grounded individual, as you might notice if you ever looked at my natal chart.If you could describe yourself in 5 words, what would they be? Humble and obedient Renaissance ManDo you collect new/used stamps? Will you like to get stamps on your mails? I don't collect stamps.Any WKAP you're excited about? Not really. It should be noted, however, that every time I see the acronym "WKAP" My brain automatically appends it with "In Cincinnaaaatiiiii."How do you feel about stationary? (pens, notepads, cards, pencils, etc.) I love pens. Fountain pens in particular (and if we're being particularly particular, I have a penchant for vintage fountain pens, and I've always wanted a Parker 51 and a Sheaffer Snorkel), but I find for writing purposes, medium body roller balls work better for my needs. I used to do a lot of writing with a feather quill dip pen, but it's not really something I can manage anymore.Would you object to anonymous postcards (real ones) from your witch before the big reveal??? That would be lovely.9/19Do you drink alcohol? Wine, beer or liquor? What is your favorite wine/beer/mixed drink? I do drink alcohol, and I enjoy a wide variety of drinks, although I tend to go in phases. In terms of wine, I prefer fruity red wines (not necessarily sweet, mind you, but with prominent fruit notes). I recently discovered Madison Cellars, and I've been enjoying their reds. White wine I prefer sweet over dry, and I particularly like Rieslings. I'm not a big fan of lagers, preferring ale or the occasional stout. I like smooth medium and dark ales with a hint of sweetness and nuttiness. In the summer, I like piña coladas (and getting caught in the rain) and margaritas. In the fall, gin and tonic or Gibson martini. In the winter, mulled wine Or mead. When ordering Japanese food, I like hot sake. I'm also fond of whiskey on occasion.I don't think I need any alcohol though. I like variety and trying new things, but at the rate I drink, a bottle lasts me forever.Do you like to find out there's a package on the way or to receive a tracking number to stalk, or do you prefer surprise packages? I'm okay either way. I really, strongly suggest that you send things with tracking confirmation, but you don't have to give me that number. The only exception is, if you decide to send me something perishable, please let me know so I can make sure someone is around to sign for it.If I were your witch, and I wanted to make you a spell or mojo bag, would you be into that? And, if you were, would you want it for something like love, prosperity or luck? Or would you want it for a certain element? Or would you want it for something more personal- and what might that be? Right now, something to draw money definitely wouldn't hurt.9/18Do you wear lip gloss/lip balm? If so, what flavors/scents? I don't go out of me way to be prettyin' up me lips, but aye... the cold salt sea air be chafin' me crew somethin' fierce. Somethin' with a hint of fruit so me boys don't get the scurvy.... And don't send nothin' with them spARRRRkles....What is one thing you constantly keep with you that you constantly loose? me mARRRRbles...What are your favorite fruits? arr... I be partial to mangoes, coconuts, bananas, pineapple, and... stARRRRfruitWhat is your favorite cookie type? Ho...Rum balls, o' course! But I also like me oatmeal, me peanut butter, me kolache, and me soft, chewy almond cookies (because they taste like mARRRRRzipan!)9/17Are you into 80s movies (like i am ) if so, which are your favorites and who are your favorite characters? I love 80s science fiction and fantasy movies. The Star Wars trilogy, of course (even though the first one was '77, I still think of the phenomenon as a whole being and 80s one), Aliens, The Last Starfighter, Enemy Mine, Blade Runner, Dragonslayer, Willow, Lady Hawke, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, The Princess Bride. Even the horrible, campy stuff like Hawk the Slayer. I also love Ferris Bueller's Day Off.Do you like Villainess soaps? What are your favorite scents? I don't like Villainess soaps, thanks.Do you mind artificial colors in your food? It doesn't matter too much to me.Who wants hair pretties?(headbands, barrettes, pony-o's, scrunchies, bobby pins, hair clips, etc) No, thank you. If you were my witchee, would you like any of the scents/sizes that are available on clearance? No, thank you. I am on an origami crane kick recently, so I wonder if anyone will be interested in origami crane earrings, origami crane in a glass vial (~1.2cm wide) phone charm/pendant or just a container filled with cranes of different sizes. No, thank you. How do you feel about clothing/accessories made from animals? Anti-fur, leather, shells, etc.? Does even faux wig you out? I'm okay with this.How do you deal with stress? What's your favorite way to unwind? My favorite way to unwind is to play video games. Sometimes I'll work on something creative instead, but I tend to find that more stress inducing than relaxing.You're given the opportunity to apprentice at any trade (or craft) of your choosing for the period of one year. Your mentor may be any currently living person. Which field of study would you choose, and who would be your mentor? When I create questions, I don't generally think about my responses, and so when I returned to answer them, sometimes they stump me. There are so many things I would love to learn to do. I would love to apprentice with Beth and learn how to make perfume blends. I would love to study traditional smithing techniques. I would love how to learn gold and silver smithing. I would love to learn how to make and repair clocks and watches. I would love to learn a dozen instruments. I would love to learn how to fence. A lot of these things are probably outside the scope of my ability, honestly, but I can dream.How about this one: I would like to learn sound design from Ben Burtt.9/16Who is musically inclined? What instruments (voice counts) do you play? Would you enjoy sheet music? I sing. I dabble at lap harp and kantele. I used to play many more instruments: piano, accordion, recorder, ocarina, tin whistle, siku, tarka. I don't have the upper arm strength to play those anymore. Today, most of my music is made with a computer.Favorite musicals? I love musicals. I grew up with them. I used to perform in them. They are a very integral aspect of my personality. I wrote my first musical in high school at the age of 15, and I will probably write others in my lifetime. They're very important to me.My favorites... it's hard to choose. Brigadoon and My Fair Lady, for the memories. The Music Man, for its musical and lyrical cleverness. Jesus Christ Superstar, for being a large part of my childhood. Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, although not a stage musical, still a huge part of my childhood. Into the Woods, for making Sondheim accessible. Sweeney Todd, for blowing my mind. Chess, for some truly groovy music. The Secret Garden, because I've always wanted to play Uncle Archibald on stage.Which of the seven deadly sins is most likely to be your undoing? Do I have to choose? Really? Can't I succumb to more than one? Perhaps all of them? Anyone want a nickname and embroidered headband from PandaBite? Why pay someone to give me an obnoxious nickname when you can have the pleasure of coming up with it yourself?I have seen a lot of yankee candles haters..... personally i like yankee candle (some of them, anyway). do you or don't you, and if not, what candles do you like? this assumes you like candles. otherwise, what specific home fragrance do you use? Scented candles are a very hit or miss thing with me. I don't have a particular hatred of Yankee Candles, but I find that most candles I've tried smell too synthetic for my tastes. At the moment, I mainly use incense (sandalwood, cedar, pine). Sometimes I'll let spices simmer on the stove for a more foodie smell. I don't particularly like florals, and I'm generally apathetic about citrus/fruit notes. I do love candles, however, and if you have some secret source of amazing smelling candles, I certainly wouldn't mind trying something new.Would a "gift" donation to one of the organizations/causes you support be a great gift, or a lame gift? That would be wonderful. I give a pretty detailed description of my charity preferences in my questionnaire, so I'm not going to repeat them here. I do love the idea of adopting a creature though. And I don't think I mentioned it before, But I really love the idea of providing micro loans to people in developing countries. If I had more money to invest, I think that would be a pretty wonderful way to invest in humanity.9/15Does anyone have any symbols they consider to be personally significant or talismanic?The Awen and the Ouroboros, naturally, which is why I combined the two into my personal symbol, the Awen Ddiderfyn: Are there any Gods, Goddess, or other mythological figures of whom you're particularly fond? Ganesha, Shiva, Loki, Hela, Fenrir, Jörmungandr, Ceridwen, Taliesin, VäinämöinenSuper villain or vigilante? Let me see... Cultured tastes? Check. Desirous of the finer things in life? Check. Keen palate? Check. Genius level intellect? Check. Occasionally obsessive? Check. Not the least bit hindered by modesty? Check.I'm afraid I'm either a super villain, or Wile E. Coyote. What mythical or fantastic race of creatures (dragons, unicorns, griffins, elves, dwarves, faeries, etc.) do you most identify with, and why? I'm a dwarf through and through. Although, I admit I find deep serenity in woodlands, so perhaps I'm a dwarf that dreams of being an elf? (Heresy!)How do you feel about Dia de los Muertos? Are you interested in sugar skulls? Catrina (or other) skeleton figurines? I find it interesting, and i find the items beautiful, but I'm not particularly looking for this sort of thing.Do you have a favorite poem or poet? Nope, but I have a lot of close contenders: William Shakespeare, William Blake, Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, William Butler Yeats, Rainer Maria Rilke, T.S. Eliot, E.E. Cummings, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Mark Strand.9/14For the crafty people out there: would you prefer something crafted or crafting supplies? I would prefer something crafted, but as I said before, I would be perfectly happy to receive more fantasy miniatures.Can you use pill boxes, a hard ID case, coin purse, etc? All of these would be really cool. Coin purses, in general tend to be too effeminate for my tastes, but if you can come up with something a gentleman might store his coins in, that would be wonderful gift.Any songs you are desperately into at the moment? Nothing new. I've had Jonathon Coulton stuck in my head for the past few days. I'm pretty sure it's Sheyona's fault.What's autumn like in your neck of the woods? What do you love and/or hate about it? Autumn is lovely, with beautiful changes in the leaves and usually just enough rain to keep me satisfied. Summer is the time when I want thunder and rain storms, but in autumn, I want cool mornings and chilly drizzles. All too soon, however, it turns into winter, and there's every indication that it's going to be a cold one this year.What's your favorite product(s) at Trader Joe's? Goodness, please no. I don't even want to think about it. I'm Trader Joe's junk food free at the moment, but this is how it all starts. You get something seemingly innocuous in the mail, and you think, "I have willpower. I can savor these slowly, and when they are gone, no big deal." But it is a big deal, because as soon as you finish mouthing those words between bites, you realize you've polished off the entire package, and now, you simply have to have more (for mom, or hubby, or kids, or boyfriend, mind you. After all, they didn't get their fair share), and so you wander off to Trader Joe's, Just to replace that one package. And oh, hey, let's see if they have that triple chocolate stout again, and hey, this wasabi the trail mix looks wonderful, and oh....Pretty soon, you're at The Church of Trader Joe's every Sunday morning, filling up your shopping cart with carton after carton of those damnable chocolate chip dipping cookies.Anyone who would do that to me is a false witch, and a true sadist.If you're caught in front of the tv, what are you watching? I don't have cable, so if I'm watching anything, it's probably a DVD or Bluray I've popped in.Any Amy Brown art fans? Not my cup of tea.How do you feel about Halloween music? (mix CDs, what have you) I'd be okay with this. I don't like music piracy, but I think mix CDs are kind of art form unto themselves, and as long as you're sending me 15 songs and not 1500, I think it's harmless enough.Who else is reeeeeally looking forward to Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland? I am not. Reeeeeally not. I realize saying such a thing is akin to blasphemy in this forum, but I am sick unto death of Burton/Depp collaborations. Is there a store that you love which does not have a location near you (but that has a physical presence somewhere, not just online?) Why do you love it so much? I can't really think of one, honestly. I miss the shops on State Street in Madison, but that was largely a matter of convenience rather than a love of any particular shop. If I think of something, I'll come back to this.Lolcats....yeah or nay? Like all things of the internet, I think there are some really funny, clever ones, and I think there are a lot of not funny, overplayed, past-their-prime ones. I can definitely appreciate the really funny ones, and also the especially adorable ones, but overall lolcats and their vernacular aren't particularly appealing.What is your favorite creepy folk story or legend? Oh, I don't know that I have a favorite. My favorite is the one being currently told to me.If your witch were to either write something for you or put together a collection of ghost stories, would you rather have it in writing, recorded as an oral telling, or both? I think either would be wonderful. If you had the funds to comission an original painting for yourself, what would it be of? What would it be like- colors, size, style?It would be a watercolor painting of dwarves. Something that looked like it came out of an old storybook, with the dwarves wearing liripipe hoods (for the men) and kerchiefs for the women. I imagine the colors being dreamy, washed, again evocative of an old storybook. As for the subject matter, the scene I have in mind would be an Escher-esque forced perspective view of their cavernous mountain home—a vertical panorama, if you will—depicting a close-up of the floor of the hall, like a medieval city, with shops and houses, and then rising high above to the cavern ceiling, with paths clinging to the sides of the rock walls, and vast bridges and stairways arcing high overhead. Clinging to the walls here and there would be other buildings: homes, crenellated fortifications, perhaps a mill being powered by a waterfall....... you realize that now that you've made me imagine this, I'm not going to be able to let it go until I can afford to have it commissioned, right?9/12 & 9/13What's something you're really looking forward to in the semi-near future? I don't really have anything like that on the horizon, sad to say. Receiving my first swap package?What fictional character do you most identify with and why? Hmm... I can get you characters who I aspire to be like, but in terms of who I am, I would probably have to say Tyrion Lannister, from George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. In reality, though, Tyrion's insecurities dwarf my own, no pun intended.Could you use a 'travel' imp case? How many should it hold? Thanks, but I really don't think I would need this sort of thing.As a witchee, would you prefer to have many little packages sent to you throughout the round with a not-so-big final package or fewer things throughout the round with one huge final package to seal the sweetness? I don't really have a preference, as long as I feel on some level that someone is paying attention to me. It's definitely nice to receive more than one package, but I would be happy with two packages, or even just one big one, as long as my witch maintains regular communication.What is your idea of the perfect evening at home? Ordering out, and then, depending largely on whether I want company, watching a film, reading a book, or playing a game. I'm easily contented.What kind of socks? Thin, stretchy, lightweight, knee-high girly socks! (Really!)How often do you update your wishlist? I don't have a formal BPAL WishList. I update my Amazon wishlist as regularly as I can remember. This is sometimes not very regularly, but I try to be more conscientious around this time of year when people are looking to shop for my birthday/Christmas. It wouldn't hurt to check back periodically.May I help you fill out your costuming wardrobe (assuming you costume)? Are there articles you are seeking to enhance your a) Halloween costume, Renfest attire, c) Cosplay, d) Steampunk accouterment? I'm always interested in new and interesting period hats and accessories. The trouble is, my head is very large (size 8), so while I love top hats, fedoras, and jaunty haberdashery of all shapes and sizes, it's very hard to find interesting hats that actually fit. If you like making hats, and can remedy this problem, I will love you forever.In terms of outfits, however... because of the peculiarities of my body shape, tailoring clothing to fit me is not a chore I would advise undertaking. I appreciate the offer.Who are your favorite artists/illustrators/art periods? Remedios Varo (and I am continually dismayed that so few people have heard of her), MC Escher, Evelyn De Morgan, Albrecht Dürer, Edmund Leighton, Gustave Caillebotte, Alfons Mucha, Max Ernst, Hieronymus Bosch, Brian Froud, Wayne Anderson. In general I love surrealist works, fantasy illustration, and medieval illumination.What's your stance on cranberries? I love cranberry sauce (provided it doesn't have mayonnaise in it. Someone actually served me that once). Apart from that, I'm not a huge fan. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's not something I go actively seeking in my food.Do you mind receiving used (in good condition, of course) CDs or DVDs? That would be lovely. Perhaps I should fill up my wish list with more CDs and DVDsDo you have a crush on anyone famous? Do you have a crush on any literary characters? Would you like fanfiction or fan art based on this/these people? I develop fast, intense crushes on women with beautiful singing voices, but I don't have any at the moment. I don't really develop crushes on fictional characters either. You're at home, or out, and you want a snack. Something that will get you through to the next meal, or through to the end of school or what ever. What do you grab? I love cashews, and they are one of my primary go-to snacks.Do you have a favorite bpal bottle art? I don't, really. There is some wonderful art to be found on the bottles, but I don't think I have a particular favorite.Are there any decants from the Halloweenies, Literary Vampires, Gris Grimly, or Hellboy that you would be interested in receiving? I would be pleased to receive decants out any of these collections, although the one I think I would like to try the most is Trevor Bruttenholm.9/11There has been a lot of talk about chocolate, but none about Candy! What is your favorite Candy? What candy do you hate? My favorite candy is marzipan, without a doubt. Least favorite? I'm not sure. Probably melon flavored hard candies. I don't mind hard candy, but I'm not crazy about melon.Do you have a Blu-Ray player? I have a PlayStation 3, which functions as a bluray player.Do you have any objections to receiving downloads? Is your internet connection fast enough for you to download large files like music easily? Are there any songs, albums, movies, or TV shows that you can't find/haven't been released that you want? I have no objection to receiving downloads, however I do have a strong objection to piracy of all media. I'm okay with downloads as long as they are something that is legal to download: public domain, open-source licenses, or materials that are legally paid for/given permission for. Anything else, I appreciate the offer, but it simply doesn't sit well with me.9/10If you do any kind of craft, could you use supplies? What kind? knitting needles, yarn, amazing fabric, pinking shears, cool thimbles or pincushins, jewelery making supplies, beads, etc.? I don't really do those kinds of crafts anymore. About the closest I come is collecting and painting fantasy miniatures.What's your favorite pain-relief remedy or ritual? I take four ibuprofen, and if that doesn't help, it's time to lie down and try to sleep it off.Do sounds make you happy? What ambient noises make you smile? The sound of pouring rain, the distant rumble of thunder, cats purring.When you receive your SW packages...do you like receiving things that are individually wrapped inside? or unwrapped? or both? I love unwrapping things, so individually wrapped presents are my favorite.Of course, we're all going to be grateful no matter what our witches give us, but for the record, what is your anti-present? Tell us something that you think your future witch might give you that you absolutely, unequivocally DO. NOT. WANT. I've mentioned bar soap several times, so I think my witch probably has that one figured out. What BPAL scent have you never tried but always wanted to? What scent have you tried and LOVED, and haven't been able to get more of and why? I've always wanted to try Ah'duno. I had a chance to sniff it once, but I could never get my hands on my own vial. One I love that I've never been able to get more of is Quincy Morris. In particular, I'd like to get some for my brother, but I've never been able to secure more of it.I know we're all scent sensitive here. What are your favorite non-perfume smells? Day in the life stuff? Petrichor (the smell released by the soil before rain), the smell of rain itself, autumn leaves, baking cornbread, bacon, coffee, mown grass, freshwater lakes and rivers, old books, new fallen snow, pipe tobacco, woodsmoke, gasoline (yes, really).Coffee drinkers, what types of beans to you like? Kona, Sumatra, Kenya..etc. How do you like them roasted? Do you like flavors, such as hazelnut, vanilla, etc. in your coffee? I really enjoy variety in my coffee, although I'm particularly fond of peaberry varieties. I tend to vary what I buy so that I can don't tire of any particular blend or flavor. I love flavored coffee, and my particular favorites are hazelnut and toffee. What I am not particularly fond of is pumpkin coffee. It's just not a flavor combination I'm fond of. Pumpkin chai however....Who has a birthday falling in this round? I mentioned it earlier, but yes, my birthday is on October 22nd.For those of us who like chocolate, do you like anything /in/ your chocolate, like fruit, nuts, or for the more daring among us, chilies? My favorite candy bar, hands down, is Cadbury's fruit and nut bar. I love chocolate with fruit and nuts. I've never been particularly crazy about chocolate and chilies. It has its place, but it's not one of my favorite flavors.Are there any childhood shows/movies/games/books/etc. that still hold a really special place in your heart? My favorite television series as a child was The Mysterious Cities of Gold, which used the air on Nickelodeon back in the mid-80s when they had a lot less money and a lot more class. They finally got around to releasing this one on DVD in the US, and I snatched up my copy right away. The other big cartoon from childhood was The Flight of Dragons. They've never officially released that one on DVD—you can find shady companies pirating it, but that's about it—and I'm afraid they never will, but at least you can usually catch it on Youtube. Star Wars was a huge part of my life. One day George Lucas will finally cave and release good copies of the original films (or else he'll die and 20 seconds after his death, the executives at Fox will do it for him. Until then I will remain mildly resentful.Games... I believe I've mentioned my love for Dungeons & Dragons and board games of all types. I love classic video games and classic arcade machines. Were it not for my disability, I would likely own at least one.Books... I really loved Choose Your Own Adventure books. The best ones were aimed at older kids and involved dice and combat rules, so they really were a lot like a single player form of Dungeons & Dragons. I read every one I could get my hands on, and I would probably play through them again if I had the chance.9/9Super power? Batman doesn't have superpowers. If I send you whole spices or coffee beans, would you be able to grind them or would you prefer them preground for your convenience? I vastly prefer whole beans to preground coffee. In terms of spices, however... as I've said before, I'm not much of a cook. I don't really have a preference, and the gift of whole spices would probably be wasted on me.For the tea and coffee drinkers: Opinion on tea- and/or coffee-related accessories/etc? (Teaware, sugar crystals, infusers, tea chests, etc)How do you take your coffee (or tea)? Black or with cream and/or sugar? I have a love for beautiful tea infusers. Unfortunately, they don't make them very much anymore. Plain tea balls and teaspoons rule the day. Occasionally I've found infusers in cute shapes, but nothing artistically striking. I'd be happy to received coffee and tea related paraphernalia. I generally take my coffee and black tea with milk or cream and sweetener. On the occasions I drink green tea, I prefer it lightly sweetened, although if it's particularly good tea, I'll sometimes drink it unsweetened.Restaurants you'd like a gift certificate to on Restaurant.com? No thank you. In your perfect world it is chocolate and...? I'm not sure chocolate actually has any bearing on my conceptualization of a perfect world. Certainly not when you go about dipping men in it.How do you scent your home: tarts, reed diffusers, BPAL, candles? I've used diffusers before, but I don't particularly care for the concept. Most of the time, I'll light some incense.What's your favorite dessert treat? Ice cream? Cake? Pie? Fudge brownie cake with pie flavored ice cream on top? I don't think I have a favorite. It depends on my mood. It depends on what's being served for dinner (e.g., there's something that just feels right about having traditional sakura mochi after a satisfying sushi dinner, but it's not something that I crave after a hamburger). Sometimes the perfect "dessert" is an after dinner drink followed by a good nights sleep. The notion of desert can be highly subjective. Do you believe we control our destiny, or does our destiny control us? I'm actually fairly deterministic in my philosophy. I believe in the great chain of causality, beginning at Time 0—the creation of the known universe—and moving inexorably forward, action begetting reaction until our universe either collapses in upon itself or succumbs to entropy and heat death. As such, destiny is a misnomer, because it implies a guiding hand, and I don't believe such a thing exists in the universe. There is no great orchestrator, no great maker. There is no inspired plan. However, if the universe is absolutely causal, there's no room for genuine randomness. Thus, free will is a kind of illusion as well. Our choices are influenced by our experience, which is in turn determined by the experience of others, influenced by and actions and reactions of the universe around us and all that has come before us. We cannot behave outside this chain of events.On the other hand, I believe the notion of free will is largely semantic. Ultimately, many things we take for granted in the universe are merely illusions. We think of ourselves as corporeal beings, but ultimately we are comprised of tiny bits of energy. We can look to our arms, think of them as solid, and yet we are built of building blocks with a relative amount of space between them. Particles of sufficiently small size can pass through these gaps. It's entirely possible that the nature of causality as we perceive it is an illusion as well. If we were capable of viewing for dimensional objects, how we perceive the universe? Would it unfold like an enormous fractal with all morons existing at once? I don't know. And so, I don't believe there's any real point in arguing about whether or not the choices we make can be considered free will. We can call choice free will because even if the future is already determined, we act with out any clear understanding of it. We are forever making choices in an infinitely small moment we call now. Those choices, influenced by everything that came before us, are still our own. If it comforts us, at some level, to call the state of being free will, why should we deny ourselves the peace of mind?What one thing that is missing from your life would you like to have above all else? Why do I make my own questions so difficult? I'm pretty happy with my life overall, but if I let my mind wander, I can certainly think of a few things I wish I had. I wish I had the money to take care of the problems my family is facing. I wish I had a job, suited to my talents, that I could do from home, but that's essentially a practical version of my first statement. I would like mobility without pain. I would like to be in a fulfilling romantic relationship. I would like to have a tightknit circle of friends that live closer to me.These are all things I want. But when it comes right down to it, I think what I want most is focus: a driving conviction that I'm doing what I should be doing with my life rather than feeling constantly like a dilettante.9/8Which three albums would you take to your apocalypse bolt hole and how would you power the generator? I would never build such a thing, and so I must assume that I purchased/was given a pass into a facility capable of holding a community of people. If so, our power needs have probably been carefully considered. Rather than albums, I would bring either my harp or my kantele, and keep the music in my head. Even with a fairly stable power source, we're going to be wanting to ration power. Better not to waste that power on a stereo. With a musical instrument and my voice I can entertain myself and others, and provide a useful service to the community. I'd better bring extra strings, though.What GC scent have you been putting off getting since it'll "always be there"? Hmm... Dorian. I still don't have any Dorian. I haven't really looked at the catalog in a long time, so I'm sure there are other things that I'm missing that I should definitely try.Are you interested in things like home remedies for ailments, cleaning solutions, etc.? Do you have a home remedy for dispelling bad luck/drawing good fortune. I confess I could use a bit of that.9/7Any cooks? Could you use anything cooking related? Aprons? Cookbooks? Measuring Cups? Recipes? Herb/Spice containers? Fancy Spices? Dish Towels? Cocktail napkins? Amazing Beaded Pot Holders? (like from our very own Pottersville! ) Something else? I'm not particularly useful in the kitchen. I can't think of anything I'd really want or need.What's your favorite candy to stock up on at Halloween? I don't go out of my way to purchase Halloween candy for myself. That said, I wouldn't mind receiving a small amount. It's the variety that makes Halloween candy appealing, in my opinion: the mixture of really cheap, awful candy, candy that was pretty good, and the occasional piece of really great candy.What is your favourite flower (or plant)? English ivy. For flowers, snapdragons.Duct tape purses and wallets and things are pretty darned cool. Who else thinks so? Not my style, but to each their own.An anonymous benefactor gives you $500 (or an equivalent amount of money in your currency of choice) with the following stipulations. You must spend all of it within a week: any money left unspent must be returned. You must spend at least half of the money on yourself. You may not use it to pay off debts or bills of any kind. What do you do with the money? Assuming I got it today, I would go ahead and grab The Beatles: Rock Band (which... I was planning on doing anyway, but it would certainly make my budgeting easier. After that, I'd go Switch Witch shopping and then treat my family to a nice dinner.Who likes coloring books? I can appreciate them, but I don't collect them or anything, and I probably wouldn't use one. Do you know what I still love? Where's Waldo? My copy of The Great Waldo Search was destroyed, and that had some amazing illustrations. I really miss that book.Even better? Books that are interactive puzzles like this one.Are you an avid reader? What's your favorite book/series? Yes. Yes, I'm an avid reader. A few of my favorite books: El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra; Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky; Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter; Les Misérables by Victor Hugo; The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco; The Compass Rose by Ursula K. Le Guin; A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin; Perdido Street Station by China Miéville; Beauty by Sheri S. TepperDo you have a Good Reads profile? If so, make with the link! If you don't have one, go make one! I don't have one, and I really don't think I need another webspace to neglect. 9/6You're in the kitchen at the end of a pay period and groceries are pretty scarce. Do you take the five ingredients you find first and make something fabulous, or do you order take out? Something fabulous? No. No one should have that much faith in my culinary skills. Something edible? That's possible. Honestly, I would probably order out unless I was desperately short on money, in which case, I almost always have some cappellini on hand. Even in the absence of tomato sauce... a little butter, some grated Parmesan. It's not exactly the most balanced meal, but I won't starve.If you could decorate/redecorate any 1 room in your home, what would it be and how would you decorate it? I only have a truly vested interest in one room in my house: my bedroom. I'm very happy with the way it looks, and I'm not prepared to redecorate yet. That said, I would probably redecorate our kitchen. I would tear out our existing cabinetry start from scratch. Marble countertops, tile walls, brand-new everything.Any rabid sports fans out there? What teams do you root for? I am definitely not a rabid sports fan, but I do enjoy watching a game now and again. In general, if the Chicago team is playing, I root for them. If not, I root for whoever I feel like at any given second, and my team of preference may change throughout the game.. There are only two notable exceptions to this. The first is when the White Sox play the Cubs, in which case, I always root for the Sox. The other is Manchester United versus Liverpool, in which case, I will support Liverpool with my dying breath. What's your favorite animal? (You can have more than one.) I'm fond of snakes, armadillos, pangolins, and cetaceans of various persuasions.This is how the world ends... zombie apocalypse, robot uprising, alien invasion, return of the elder gods... which doomsday scenario do you prefer (or make your own!)?. I tend to think the world is going to end in some ridiculous, unforeseeable way. In Douglas Adams fashion, our planet will be vaporized to make way for a galactic highway. Aliens will invade, but they'll be unicellular organisms: benign diatoms that multiply at an alarming rate and smother the planet to death. God will flush his final project down the toilet after having only gotten a B- on it.In the year 2525... if man is still alive... what sort of future do you imagine? The next 100 years is going to be very telling for humanity. We have so many systems on the verge of collapse, and the outlook doesn't look promising. Despite that, human beings have proven very difficult to kill, and the planet Earth is nothing if not resilient. I think we're going to make it. I don't think our future will be perfect, but I do think we are too tenacious to die off that easily.I don't believe our future will be apocalyptic, but there will be a lot of death in the next 500 years, there will be climate change, there will be countries that collapse and other countries that rise to take their place. I hesitate to call our future dystopian, because I think ultimately, if we call this sort of future dystopian, we must affirm that our present is dystopian, and that vast majority of human civilization since the dawn of history has been functionally dystopian. I don't believe we can effectively judge our future selves through modern-day societal filters. I do think their way of life will be as alien to us as ours would be to a medieval man.I do think it will be fascinating, and exhilarating, and terrifying, and ugly, and also beautiful. I wish, in some ways, I could see what happens.Do you believe in magic (or magick, if you prefer)? What does it mean to you? I do, but I'm not even certain in what context I believe in it or why. I share Hamlet's conviction, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."If you found the puzzle box from Hellraiser, what would you do with it? ( and would you be able to resist playing with it? ) I agree with Wildbriar. If I recognized it for what it was, I would encase it in a 5' x 5' block of concrete and drop it into the deepest part of the ocean. Firing it into the sun would be even better, although less practical. If I didn't know what it was, I fear the world would be doomed.9/5Do you like pinup art/images? Not particularly, no.What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions? I would love to have plans for Halloween, but I will be at home wishing I had a party to attend, and the means to attend it. Perhaps I should be the one holding a party.Who are your BPAL forum buddies? You know, people I could conspire with to Witch you! Goodness, I don't know. Heartbeast and Merlu might, if they have time. Laurel the Woodfairy might. I went to school briefly with waternight, and she might be willing to help. I'm not sure. I'm fond of a lot of people here, but most of them still feel like relative strangers to me. I'm not sure if any of them would be willing to conspire on my behalf.What is your favorite color? My favorite color changes with my mood, but in general, I like bold colors: Hunter Green, cobalt blue, Royal purple, Venetian red, Gold. I also like warm, earthy browns, and French grays.Any other steampunk fans/lovers? I'm not what I would consider a huge fan, but I loved the aesthetic long before I knew there was a term for it. I still have visions of transforming my new wheelchair into a steampunk work of art, a la George Pál's version of The Time Machine.Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone, and yes there can be multiple people) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? And, of course, if a picnic lunch sounds like a horrible idea, feel free to say so! I think I'd like to invite this switch witch group to come picnic with me. We'll have our picnic at Graue Mill. It's a large group, so everyone will be responsible for bringing a dish or two. For my part, I'll bring Swedish meatballs (both beef and vegetarian), cornbread, cane sugar soda, iced tea, and perhaps a couple bottles of my favorite Riesling.9/4Any Gamers here? What kind? Board games? RPG? Miniature? MMORPG? I'm a gamer. I'm a gamer in pretty much every sense of the word. I love RPGs, and I've been playing them for well over two decades now. I am quite enamored with fourth edition Dungeons & Dragons, and I've collected almost every supplement to date.I love board games, and I collect vintage board games (old 1970s-1980s boardgames, primarily). I'm always on the lookout for old fantasy-inspired boardgames (Hero Quest, Dungeon, Dark Tower, Dragonlance), Star Wars-inspired boardgames, and video game-inspired boardgames. It can be hard to find these games, much less with all the pieces intact.More than boardgames, however, I love video games. They are my favored method of relaxation, particularly when I'm feeling too tired to be particularly creative or social. In general, I'd rather be social, but there are times when pure escapism wins out, and I just want to spend a few hours exploring life as a noble hero, space marine, assassin, or... you know... Batman.Is anyone playing this round of SW into ABJ? (asian ball jointed dolls) I appreciate the art form, but no. I've never really had much of an interest.What is your favorite Halloween icon? Probably the little ghost. Imagine that you're given a shoebox-sized time capsule, and you are asked to put any number of items in the box that symbolize who you are. The items can be may be anything you can imagine, and money is no object, but they must fit within the box. Which items do you choose? In the original spirit of the question, I'm going to answer with both a one item answer and with a multiple item answer.Multiple items: A black muffin cap adorned with a feather (this can easily be folded or rolled, so I'm not particularly concerned about space), a fountain pen without any ink, a set of polyhedral dice, three cards from the Rider Waite tarot deck (The King of Wands, The Eight of Cups, The Three of Swords), a soprano recorder, a book of matches, and a postcard of MC Escher's "Relativity." On the back is written:Yesterday, upon the stair,I met a man who wasn’t thereHe wasn’t there again todayI wish, I wish he’d go away...If I may only choose one item, it would be thus: a cunningly crafted music box, in the likeness of the twin Voyager probes. When wound, it plays "To Dream the Impossible Dream."Are you involved in any long-term, ambitious project? something like decorating your house or saving for a trip to the other end of the world, for example. I'm currently writing a novel, programming a video game, and compiling songs for an album.Favorite kind or take out kinda burger? Whats your burger preference? Veggie,meat or ???? I like a good hamburger now and again, but I've never had one that I would consider a religious experience. A burger is a burger is a burger. I prefer mine with bacon and occasionally mushrooms, but apart from that, I don't have a great deal of preference. I don't like Black Angus burgers, however. Veggie burgers... it really depends. If it's trying to be meat, I will almost certainly hate it. There are many very tasty veggie burgers out there, however, that are wonderful primarily because they don't disguise what they are. I don't generally eat them, however, so I couldn't offer specific brandsWhats your favorite childhood toy? My very favorite toys were the Star Wars Micro Collection toys released in the early 80s. Here is my favorite set from the Micro Collection toys. Each set came with little painted metal miniatures of the characters. I loved these specifically because even as a kid I had a range of motion issues. The larger 3 3/4 inch action figures had really cool vehicles and playsets, but they were large and difficult for a kid with a physical disability to use effectively. The micro collection toys let me have the entirety of cloud city, or the death Star, or what have you right at my fingertips. Much later, there was an entirely different line of micro figures and vehicles. I had a few, for nostalgia's sake, but they were a little disappointing. Somehow, they lacked the character of those original toys, or perhaps they merely lacked the love of a five-year-old Star Wars fanatic.If you have a pet, what kind of gifts would be good for them? My cats love little catnip toys, kitty treats (I think they all prefer fish flavored), the occasional tin of tuna... apart from catnip toys none of them take very much interest in toys. In fact they tend to shun anything not food related that is freely given to them. It's only interesting if one of the humans (a.k.a. "the staff") doesn't want them to have it.Do you Tweet? What is your Twitter name? I dislike Twitter immensely, so no.Are you on Ravelry? What is your Ravelry name? No. I don't believe I've ever heard of it.9/3What are everyone's favorite Halloween-y/Autumn-y/spooky movies? Are there any you don't own but would like to? I don't really have a tradition. Just recently, I acquired a huge box full of 250 horror films (old, campy public domain stuff), and I'll probably be working my way through those all season.Are roasted pumpkin seeds and home made chex mix the best fall snack foods, or what? I'm not a big fan of roasted pumpkin seeds anymore, but I love chex mix.Whats your favorite pie, my dear SW's? I've never met a pie I didn't like, but particular favorites include pumpkin, brown sugar, French silk, blueberry, Dutch apple, peach... dare I go on?... strawberry rhubarb... key lime... coconut cream... quiche?... chicken?... steak and kidney?... stargazey? (the squeamish might not want to look that last one up)Err… yes. I like pie. Yes.What kinda socks are you wearing tonight? I'm not wearing socks.Do you like socks? Blankets? Wrist warmers? Arm warmers? Headband? Shawl? Or what kind of knitted thing would you love the most? Knitted socks aren't particularly good idea for me. But if you were to knit me an afghan or a shawl, I would adore you forever.How do you feel about ghost stories? Do you like to tell the old tales around a campfire? Read true accounts on the web way past your bedtime? I love ghost stories. As a kid I used to thrive on them. I love when they are allegedly true. I love when there is documented evidence to support the claims. When it comes to things like ghosts and alien abductions, I consider myself a skeptic. But in the end, I always come back, driven by the desire to know.Do you like to pick up a good anthology of Poe stories on a blustery day? Or is all that too scary for you? I love Poe's work, and also Lovecraft's, but I don't find either particularly scary. I do love a good scary story, but I haven't really found any in a long time.Who here is LOVING Warehouse 13? I hadn't heard of it until this question appeared. I don't have cable. It sounds rather like the old Friday the 13th TV series with a little X-Files thrown in for good measure. Could be interesting. I'll have to give it a look when it comes to DVD.Nother question! Coffee or Tea? Both. There are times when I prefer one or the other. Lately, I've been in a coffee mood, but I swing back and forth between the two. Of late, I've become particularly fond of peaberry coffees. I love trying new varieties of coffee, gourmet blends, unusual flavors. I also like supporting coffee farmers through fair trade. On many levels, that would be a wonderful gift. In terms of tea, I prefer black teas over green teas or white teas. I'm not a big fan of herbal teas. My favorite tea is Glengettie, which is imported from the UK, and rather difficult to find around here. It makes a lovely stiff cup of tea.Interested in locally produced products? Food, skincare or both?Olive oil? Lavender oils or soaps? Not particularly. I've already discussed skincare products in my questionnaire. I don't do much cooking, and so a product like olive oil, used primarily for cooking, has little appeal to me. (Although, admittedly, I do love olive oil in place of butter on fresh baked bread.)Does anyone in here wear a lot of dangly earrings or collect pendants of all kinds?? How about hair clips or pony tail band things? I used to wear dangly earrings. Typically I would wear a dangling earring in one ear and a hoop in the other. I've pretty much given up on earrings, however. My hair is also now much too short for a pony tail band. Pendants, however, I'm quite fond of: particularly those with a medieval flavor, and those made with interesting found items.What is your favourite historical period? Oh dear.... you know, I really don't think I have one. There's a sort of implied romanticism when one chooses a favorite time or place, and I don't really feel that sort of bond or pull with any particular culture or period. I certainly can't think of many historical periods in which I would prefer to live. In any case, I'm too fascinated by the evolution of human culture as a whole, and by the multitude of unsolved mysteries before us to settle down and fall in love with any one time and place.What other hot beverages everyone likes for fall? and have a great fondness for hot chocolate and mulled wine. I'm not particularly fond of hot cider, although I will drink it on rare occasion. I love hot sake, but typically only with Japanese fair. I love mead, but I actually prefer it at room temperature.Did you order anything from the most recent update? I ordered a bronze library skeleton plaque.Vampires or Werewolves? Or some other monster? If I have to choose between the two, werewolves win. I'm prefer my monsters to be a little bit more edge-of-awareness, however. Vengeful spirits, alien abductors...What sort of odd or regional foods do you crave? I admit it. I have strange—some would say unnatural—cravings for meat products other people might find unsettling: blood sausage, haggis, scrapple, etc. I like uni (sea urchin), which is definitely an acquired taste. None of this does my witch the least bit of good, of course, unless he or she knows of a way to safely ship various and sundry alarming meat products, but these are the only odd things in my diet that I can think of at the moment.
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