The Grammar section, the units that deal with aspects of meaning and grammar that are relatively simple and expressed in few words inside a simple sentence (the expression of quantity, or of possession, for example) is one of the greatest hurdles because they are dry, boring lists that have to be given an attractive, systematic expository style for two reasons: one is to facilitate memorisation, and two, to prevent that the examiner falls asleep. These are Units 10 (word formation) to 27 (the passive voice). According to my plans, I should be doing a unit a day and get Unit 15 done by the end of the week. However, I have had to take some days off and I'm four lessons behind.
Today's reward will be one imp only, Blood Amber, if I manage to do three units: word formation (the fun one), the linguistic sign (that's going to be a tought one), and the concept of grammar.
***
ETA: I managed one unit and a bit of another one.
Friday 20th: Blood Amber will still be my reward if I manage three units today: the linguistic sign, the concept of grammar, the expression of quantity.
ETA: no, I couldn't swallow three units in one go. I could finish off two. No Blood Amber yet.
***
Definitely, I can't aim at three units a day on the first reading. Two a day is hard enough; three a day, especially on very boring, technical topics, gets the information messed up in my head. Today, Monday 23th I have finished two units: the expression of quantity, and quality/degree/comparison. I think I0ve already deserved my Blodd Amber.
The only reason why I don't think I'm addicted to web-browsing is that I don't normally miss it when it's unavailable. I don't know if I do it so much while I should be working out of laziness or becuase of a twisted self-destructive impulse that doesn't want to see my PhD finished. Probably both.
Monday the 16th wasn't a good day because I couldn't get a Phd chapter draft started. I have passed the last two days away from home so they don't count; this is not a measure of days not passed online but of days of uninterrupted work. Today is wasted already.
I have had two good days of little-interrupted work. That's another 2/5 in a TAL, so so far I have 4/5 of a TAL bottle. Probably Lionheart.
Plans for this week:
Unit 37: Wilde DONE
Unit 38: Zephyr DONE
Unit 39: Nocturne DONE
Unit 43: Sheol DONE
Unit 44: Shroud. DONE
the end of the Ars Moriendi line (probably my least favourite GC line, too much earth and cypress and lilies).
I need to skip units 40-42 because they might be left out or condensed for the exam.
Now, for each book I read out of the books I must return to the library in three weeks, another imp, that I will pick up as I finish them.
Dissenting Voices: Undertow.
Mujeres en el Mundo: Envy.
Masculinity and Polite Society: Gluttony.
I've been a very good girl lately. I have been online just the time I needed to check email and read a few of my favourite blogs, and never during study hours. I've earned my first TAL bottle. Now for the second.
This is the plan:
Unit 45: Greed DONE
Unit 46: Lust DONE
Unit 47: Pride DONE
Unit 48: The great Sword of War DONE
Unit 49: Dirty. DONE
There's also one library book to read. The reward will be Sea of Glass.
And that's the end of the month and of Sin & Salvation too!
my TAL list is now two bottles and 3/5 after all the hard work I have done in the garden during the weekend And also because someone said something annoying and I had the good sense not to start a fight. Yeah.
These are my rewards for the next five units:
Unit 26: Masquerade. DONE
Unit 27: Morgause. DONE
Unit 30: Ode on Melancholy
I'm skipping some because the missing units are likely to change when the school year begins.
Unit 32: Phantasm DONE
Unit 33: Rakhshasa. DONE
Unit 34: Sudha Segara DONE
Unit 35: Tushnamatay. DONE
Unit 36: Veil DONE
Each new page of dissertation:
Velvet DONE.
I've managed to stay away from the computer quite well this weekend. I'm awarding myself 2/5 of a bottle, let's see if I derserve the third ml today!
I'm giving myself other 2/5 because I have been working like crazy in the garden.
This is the plan: I need to prepare for a Government exam that is the entry to a teaching position in the State high schools. There are 70 theory units and 15 practical ones. 70-ish is the approximate size of my BPAL wishlist, so I will give myself an imp for every unit I finish, with a few tweaks.
First mission: getting two different sets of units from other people to fuse them and create my own "textbook".
Reward: Antique Lace. I'm going to work up a wishlist /shopping list in alphabetical order, although for particularly big hurdles I will promise myself 1/5 or a 1/4 of a TAL bottle.
Sunday the 1st: DONE!
Mission 2: Fusing units 1 to 5, which deal all with very general concepts on language learning & acquisition, and communication theory.
Reward: Five Neil Gaiman imps from a decant circle: Crowley, War, Fairy Market, Tristan, Yvaine.
I want to do one unit a day.
Monday, unit 1: Completed! I have a lovely unit on the history and current tendencies of foreign language teaching. I have earned my Crowley.
Tuesday, unit 2: On the relationship between the first and the second language. I have earned War!
Friday: I've had a marathon and finished units 3 (left half-finished yesterday), 4 and 5. However, I have not concentrated as much as I should so I'm just adding the Fairy Market imp.
Monday: Unit 6. Tristan is mine!
Tuesday: Unit 7: Yvaine is on the lot! Mission accomplished!
I spend way too much time online. I'm going to give myself 1/5 of a TAL bottle for every day in which I limit web browsing to (quick) email/forum/blog checks. Say, 30 minutes a day.
My first bottle is going to be Lionheart.
Wednesday: Bad day. I spent a lot of time in a lot of different forums
Thursday: I can't concentrate in anything after a tiring morning with several appointments and I again wasted too much time.
Friday 13th and Saturday 14th: This is beginning to work. So far I've deserved 2/5 of a bottle
Wow, two months already working on this!
The really abstruse Gender Theory book: I give up, the book is useless. Sea of Glass is waiting for its chance to join the rest....
Unit 50: "Schrodinger's Cat". DONE
Unit 51: Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo DONE
Unit 52: Block Buster DONE
Unit 53: Chuparosa DONE
Unit 54: Water of Notre Dame. DONE
This week I also need to do two stacks of photocopies, and go to Uni to request a certificate. These boring tasks get Bien Loin D'Ici. DONE
OK, now the mission is mostly to catch up. I'm two or three units behind.
For finishing Units 15 & 16: Bon Vivant. DONE
For finishing units 17 and 18: Coiled Serpent. DONE
Units 19 and 20: Dana O'Shee. DONE
I will be dealing with some of the most boring lessons these days. Where was that Determination imp?
Unit 21: Eclipse. I really want to try this one and it's suitable because this is likely to be the worst unit: uses of the infinitive and the -ing form. DONE.
Unit 22: Hesperides DONE
Unit 23: Intrigue DONE. This one was so hard that I'm also giving myself an imp of Leanan Sidhe.
Unit 24: La Bella Donna della Mia Mente. This is another one I reaaaaaally want to try. The unit isn't bad: the expression of assertion, emphasis and objections.
Unit 25: La Belle Dame sans Merci. The topic is not going to be so merciless: expression of cause, consequence and finality.
I'm giving myself scheherezade because I just sent my advisor a very long email detailing my dissertation's chapter division, each chapter's subdivision, and how much progress I've made in each. It is harder than it looks.
I've rewarded myself 2/5 more so the count is now 3 bottles. I'm aiming at a complete bottle this week.
(Monday 1/5!)
(Tuesday 2/5!)
(Wednesday 3/5!)
Thursday and Friday: YES! I have worked very hard for five days and now I can add another bottle to the list.
I start school Friday next week. Today I have picked up the school's materials for the month.
Reading the materials: Loralei DONE.
Unit 55: Bordello DONE
Unit 56: Delight. DONE
Unit 57: Forbidden Fruit DONE
Unit 58: The Lady of Shalott
Unit 59: Les Bijoux.
And I'm going to do caligraphy exercises. Phew! I'll reward myself with Lolita if I complete a couple of pages every day.
The week didn't go very well
So, this week I have a gazillion things to do.
Unit 58: The Lady of Shalott DONE
Unit 59: Les Bijoux.
Unit 60: Lucy's kiss
Unit 61: Queen of Sheba
Unit 62: Muse
Reviewing Unit 1: Rapture.
Writing a letter to a friend, by hand, paying attention to hand position, speed, etc: Ravenous DONE
Doing calligraphy exercises: Salomé
Doing an hour a day of my online course: Saturnalia.
Is there a fashion style you have been lusting over? Not really. I always think that fashionable clothes won't look good on me. Well actually, I really wanted a new Gujarati dress and also a mauve sweater and I just got both. I would love new shoes but I see nothing I like.
Favourite artists or art styles? Klimt, the classic Spanish ones, impressionism (Monet, Toulouse Lautrec and Van Gogh in that order), anything that has to do with Glasgow / Scotland. What I like the most about modern / abstract art is sculpture.
What magic superpower? Multiplying myself.
Necklaces or bracelets? Earrings.
What do you want from the Lupercalia update? I asked for everything in a decant circle because right now I don't want to look carefully at the whole list for days, pick three or four very slowly.... I'm suprised at how many nice things this update had. No Bony Moon for me though - cedar and I don't get on.
How often does untested BPAL work on you? According to my database, I have tried 388 scents, of which I have swapped 133 away. I gave away 13 others to The Boy. That means that about 80% works well. Having said that; I only swap away the absolute disasters.
Do you like mythical/fantastical creatures? Which ones? I love mythologies, but I tend to prefer creatures with a name and a role in a story (say, Greek gods). I must be the only person in the whole forum who is not very interested in fairies.
Incense: I'm curious about the handmade, thick sticks. I like experiments and I prefer warm scents.
Candles: I like to use them, so I hate candles that don't burn properly (decorative candles that melt badly).
Disney: I think I'm the average person of my generation (I'm 31). I loved Disney classics as a Christmas treat, and then I grew out of it. I still like some of the classics, particularly musicals (Mary Poppins, Snow White and Fantasia are probably the only Disney classics I wouldn't mind watching this evening). I have no interest in any Disney post-Beauty and the Beast, excluding Pixar.
Who is your favorite villain of all-time? Phew.... It's hard to choose. I owe some letters after my name to Sikes and Mr Murdstone, so let's say them. And Iago. And Richard III. And Humbert Humbert. And Desire in Sandman. And every character in Trainspotting.
On different ways to scent a room: for some reason, I don't like the idea of room sprays, but maybe I haven't found the right one yet. Some scented candles give me headaches so I'm scared of them, in general. I like to scent plain candles with BPAL (my favourite decadent way to use up old imps). The Boy loves incense; I like it.
If you could subscribe to every magazine you wanted, money no object, what would your list of magazines that would decorate your coffee table be? I think that the same magazines I mention in the original questionnaire: the English editions of Good Housekeeping and Marie Claire, Good Food, may be something else about food or feminism.
Do you speak any languages besides English? How fluent are you? Would you be interested in literature in a foreign laguage - phrase books, fiction, childrens stories? Spanish is my native language. My English is good enough to look native, most of the time. I can read in French but I don't like it. I want to be able to read in German and I would love any Michael Ende books to do that, especially the Neverending Story; or other children's books; or cookbooks.
Keyrings? I have four different sets of keys: school, home, car, second set for the same car. Only the Home ones have a keyring.
How do you feel about winter-themed but not really holiday type decorations? Things like snowflakes and fake icicles and the like? They will probably be really pretty, but my currrent home has yellow walls and my Christmas tree is decorated in gold and black.
Do you have a personal 'Good Luck' charm? Maybe you have a goddess figure to remind you of your Inner Goddess, or maybe you have a beautiful Cross to represent your faith...Or maybe you wear a Hand of Fatimah for protection....That kind of thing. I don't have one, yet. I don't wear the same jewelry every day, or use the same handbag. I'm a Christian but I don't like the Cross as an ornament (it is an instrument of torture after all). I have an altar of sorts with several tiny Nativity scenes.
If you were to attend Hogwarts, into which House would you be sorted? Ravenclaw, the House of Geeks.
Would you be interested in some knitted wire jewelry, like this? Yes, absolutely.
This is kind of a getting-to-know-you-type-thingie, but I always find it illuminating--what's on your computer desktop? Images? Color scheme? A Jessica Hagy cartoon:
http://thisisindexed.com/2007/04/verbs-of-being/
http://bp3.blogger.com/_FBXGhy-QmVw/Rh8aMA...0-h/card795.JPG
I began using it because I needed the motivation. I haven't changed it because I like the relatively empty background for my fish, animal, and LOTR icons
What do you collect...besides BPAL? If "collect" means "accumulate, even if you use it up", jewelry, tea, silk scarves, gloves (people keep giving me gloves because I always lose them), tea, spices, candles... I try not to hoard things too much as I try not to become my parents (mother: impulse buyer, comfort shopper, and hoarder; father: hoarder).
Anyone a fan of Goddess art? Yes.
Anyone else a Luis Royo fan? No.
What are your favorite websites (i.e., the ones you visit every day, or almost every day)? I'm subscribed to about forty blogs: the most informative ones in the Spanish belly dance scene, the American "Bellydance Paladin", and then, American feminist ones: Feministe and Shakesville. I don't like Feministing for some reason.
How do you feel about Lush? Anything you want to try? I love Lush but I hate their new soap base (the one with rapeseed oil). I don't use bath-only products, ever.
How do you feel about home made lip balm, salt or sugar scrubs, soap, bath salts, etc? Yay!
if you were to receive a hand-knitted item, what color(s) would you prefer AND are there any types of yarn that you just cannot handle (e.g. wool, llama, etc.) Nothing scratchy. The only colours I dislike are yellow (yes, the house is painted yellow but I don't have any yellow clothes) and all shades of brown.
What is one REALLY expensive, completely outrageous thing you would LOVE to get but totally don't expect to ever get from anyone? Maybe jewelry. Maybe a trip to New York including a retreat in a monastery near Poughkeepsie.
Do you like coffee mugs? Travel or stay at home? How big? Do you like ones from Starbucks? I like the standard, 250 cl (half-pint) size, and I like them colourful, decorated. Pretty ones. Not Starbucks.
Do you like tea? What kinds of tea (green, red, white, black, decaf, herbal infusions)? Feel free to get specific on brands and tea types. Loose or bagged? Do you need any kind of tea accessories? Pots/cozys/presses/strainers? No accesories needed. My favourite American brand is Celestial Seasonings (except the blends with carob and chicory). I like flavoured and strong black tea for breakfast, flavoured green, plain green, white and herbal teas during the day. Sometimes I have English Breakfast. I'm a great fan of Les Palais du Thé, a French Franchise. I like loose tea (to choose strenght myself as I cannot use a bag and a half!) and herbal in bags (for convenience).
What is your favorite hot chocolate or drinking chocolate? Do you need Vegan or no? It must be either Colacao or thick cocoa made from a bar and cooked. I'm Spanish: I may not drink it often, but this is a question of national pride.
Do you need any decanting supplies? Pipettes? Vials? How about any wand caps? Roller bottles? Some spray bottles (for oils mixed with alcohol?) Pippettes and wandcaps would be fantastic.
I wanted to ask a question: are there any rare (or even uber-rare) scents that you'd really like to try? The original 13.
Does your forum name have a special significance? Refer to something or someone you admire? Reflect your interests? It is the name I use with foreign people, as they get very confused when they hear my real name, Eugenia (eh-oo-hen-ja). Then it became my online name. And because most bellydancers know me online before meeting me, it is also my bellydance name. I have another easily searchable online nick, laguiri ("the foreign woman", in the local slang). I'm a national, but my friends call me guiri because I have lived for long periods in English-speaking countries.
What's your favorite texture? Crunchy!
What's one luxury item you want to pamper yourself with but haven't yet? Any BPTP; Villainess whipped. I have tried the Villainess Smooch only once and I would love more.
Do you prefer arm warmers to the wrist, to the base of the fingers, or half fingered? half-fingered.
Any favorite cartoon characters? Disney, Sanrio, etc? Mafalda.
Are there any witchy type supplies you're in need of, or would like to try etc.? Herbs, smudge sticks, resins, tarot/oracle cards, incense burners, pretty tools, stuff like that? I think I need the books about Wicca and paganism on my wishlist, and a ritual knife. In that order. I'm open to other tools, herbs, etc. but not to anything that may be used for seeing the future.
On nut intolerance - does it include things like almond/coconut oil bases and essential oils in perfume oils, skincare products, scented candles and the like? I'm not intolerant to any food that I know of. Well, raw bananas give me heartburn, but you're not going to send me bananas, are you?
If you are a fan, who were your favorite Buffy and Angel characters? NOT a fan.
Do you like Shakespeare? Which plays? Yes, I like him although I like my poetry short. Maybe my favourite play by him is Othello. Maybe.
Question for the Class: Favorite Musical? I love Gene Kelly with teenage passion.
How do you like your chocolate? White, milk, bittersweet, as dark as possible? Plain, with flavoring, with chunks of stuff in? Fairly traditional, or weird and experimental? I like it posh, dark or extremely good quality milk, Fair Trade preferred. Chunks of stuff? chocolate-coated marzipan, combinations of chocolate and toffee, dark choc and ginger. I miss Thornton's less sickly sweet inventions, and Green and Blacks.
Favorite animals? Least favorite? Faves: Tigers, penguins, butterflies. If I had to attribute to them human qualities tigers are sexy, penguins are happy families, butterflies are simply decorative. Least favorite? apart from the usual insects, seals. And I'm not a big fan of pets.
How do you feel about Heifer International? Or do you have other favorite charities not mentioned in your application? I am concerned about whether the money we give to charities is well spent. I sponsor a child in India and the causes I care about the most are childhood, women's rights and food-related causes, so on a superficial look the Heifer International website seems good.
So for all witches of the shimmying types- would you like tassel belts/jingle belts/ ect and if so, how big are your hips? Interesting!! My hips are about 39 inches. I don't like coin belts. I don't like coins (they break the thread), and I'm open to anything else, including tribal. I have a big problem with tops: I want to wear a real bra underneath the dance top, so my choices for clothes are restricted to dresses and cholis.
What are 3 places that you'd like to visit, or re-visit? Glasgow (again), New York City (again), Finland (haven't gne there yet)
Literary erotica. Who doesn't love it? I'm picky.
Are you planning on buying anything off your BPAL wishlist during the round?
Do you read graphic novels/comics? Which ones? Yes. Neil Gaiman, like everyone else. Guy Delisle, Marjane Satrapi, and stuff in Spanish you've never heard of.
Which witches would want Bpal boxes? Or imp cases? I have just run out of space in my two boxes to keep bottles.... I don't know if that means I need another box, or selling off stuff.
How about a short - or longer - piece of fanfic? That would be fun!
What is the weirdest and/or most practical thing you are not buying for yourself right now? The thing that you probably should be buying, but have been putting off in lieu of something else? Unusual: a bellydance bra. Practical: a dryer.
Would you like handmade piece of calligraphy as a gift? I'm not sure.
What jewelry are you wearing now? What jewelry do you wear everyday-or do you change jewelry all the time? Right now I have gold little balls on my ears because my right ear's piercing is a bit sore and I don't have anything more original in gold. And a silver ring with a biggish moonstone.
Boxes, baskets, etc.? Again, not sure.
Chia Pet, do you need one? I'm not good with plants.
Houseplants and/or things to put them in: thoughts? I'm trying to make three plants survive. If they're still alive in February, I'll sow seeds of edible stuff.
Do you like baskets, jars and other interesting containers? Filled or Empty? I'm not sure.
Who are your forum friends, person or people your witch can contact for ideas? The two people that know me best here are probably Baitu and Lilirose.
What cartoons did you grow up watching? Any animated shows you still watch? I was more a muppet person than a cartoon person: Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, La Bola de Cristal (no, you don't know that one).
Do you like honey? Will you like to try creamy honey with black sesame or with cinnamon powder? I love honey, but wouldn't it be too heavy for you to post all the way to Spain?
What is the biggest problem or sad thing in your life? Of course, I mean the saddest or worst thing you can confess here. Chronic pain. It's mild, but I'm terrified it will get worse. Also, the constant feeling that I don't have enough time to do everything I need to do... and stupidly, the one thing I keep postponing is exercising (vital for my health).
And.... what fashion item or style do you like, but never wear? Belts. I love obis, and all sorts of decorated belts in theory, but I'm relatively short and I have no waist to speak of (measures on a bad day: 100-80-100 = 40-32-40), so I think they don't look good on me.
Do you like to cook? if so, what? Would you like things like spices, cookbooks, recipes, tips? Yes, anything, yes. The only spices I don't like are hot peppers.
I love Christmas music even though I'm pagany -- how about you? I love Christmas, and Christmas music.
Anyone else have a sudden and unexpected favorite BPAL lately? A craving for lavender! And, is there a rose & lavender scent???
It's cold outside - what are your favorite drinks to keep yourself warm and cozy? My own chai blend, scented black tea, tea with a shot of whisky. Colacao (drinking chocolate / cocoa mixes are probably the worst gift you could send me: a Spanish childhood means I won't drink anything but colacao).
Would my potential Witchee be up for some music stuff they'd never heard before if they couldn't understand the words? I think my questionnaire implies the answer, which is yes.
What kind of candy/sweet treat would you like to receive? I'm not sure there is any food I wouldn't like.
Would you personally rather get handmade jewelry or the beads to make something yourself? Something made would be lovely because it's coming from you. I would like beads if they are very original, you know, things like decorated Murano glass.
Speaking of which, how many Browncoat witches do we have?? And if you are, would you be interested in getting a Kaylee parasol? If not, would you be interested in getting a paper parasol hand painted with your favorite colors? Ermmm... no, thanks.
D&D/roleplay? No.
Which witches would like hair accessories: clips, scrunchies, hairsticks, headscarves, etc? My hair is long, and thick, I want it even longer, and I have never had the talent to do pretty things with it. icon_sad.gif I do wear lots of different clips, etc and I tend to prefer hairdos that keep it outr of my face. I need elastic bands, or scrunchies, or something like that, that is thick and soft but in colours that go well with my work clothes (dark red, black, very light green, any shade of blue....) it is very hard to find scrunchies that don't go horribly bad with formal clothes.
Hand beaded jewellery, yay or nay? Yes!!
To make up for the fact that I probably won't be able to send my witchee homebaked goodies, will Tim Tams in any number of varieties be an acceptable replacement? Food is good.
Is there any time during the holidays (or the rest of the round) when you'll be away from home for a significant period and it'd be best not to send anything by mail? not really.
Cat hair? not a problem.
Who (of course excluding Schackjj ) would like a pair of handknit socks? Size? Color preference? Cabled, ribbed (for your pleasure), stranded colorwork, etc.? I wear conservative black socks to work, but something thick and warm to be at home would be nice (stone floor, no carpet!). My boyfriend would love them more than me - he has huge feet, I think his American size is 12.
Would you like to receive ATCs (artist trading cards) or would you prefer something more usable, like bookmarks or something? I've never seen ATCs, but what I see online sounds good.
What witch would like a cloak? I have too many coats already.
Since we're talking about warm winter wearables, who likes hats? Mittens? Arm warmers? a hat would be nice, specially something like a beret. Other stuff sounds good too.
If your witch were to send you cookies, what kind of cookies would you like? I don't like very rich and oily things. I am more used to (European style) biscuits. When I lived in the States, I liked oatmeal and raisin cookies, and the ones with Smarties, and I didn't like peanut butter or white chocolate ones. I don't know if carrot cake transports well but I love that.
Who likes tshirts? What about homemade tshirts? Painted or printed? It sounds nice. I just bought Maple Syrup and Candy from this website.
Another question! How does everyone feel about steampunk? Is that stuff like The Difference Engine? I hate William Gibson, but my boyfriend loved that book.
So, question all- how do people feel about unusual ornaments? As in, for holidays other than Christmas? As long as it's not Halloween.... I don't like Halloween very much.
My etsy favorites are here.
Do you like coconut? Yes for food, not for perfume. The only coconut perfume I like is BPAL's Black Pearl.
Puddin' posts ebay sales of older stuff every now and then - what of the current lot are you dying for? ooops... there's nothing now. Among the very rare blends I'm interested in: versions of Snow Queen, and the first 13.
Do you tweet? Not yet.
What kind of mythology are you interested in? for the literary value, Greek and Scandinavian.
Which flavors are you interested to try from the Chocolate Research Facility? I like all types of chocolate but I'm not a big fan of coffe and a flavouring, or very sweet things in which chocolate is an excuse, like Mars bars.
Do you wear makeup or nail polish? Need brushes, containers, storage, mani/pedi supplies? What colors and brands do you like? I like nailpolish in light shades of blue and green. I don't like it too dark although I'd like to have a red-black like Chanel's Rouge Noir. As for make up, I always end up wearing the type of pinks that suit an olive skin. Sometimes I wear browns or blues; not greens on my face, though. Clinique is my default brand.
Do you like shiney hanging porch decorations like windchimes or those things that spin and swirl in the wind? No.
Hair adornments? I don't have a lot of imagination or ability to do my hair. It's long, thick and curly and I need accesories to keep it out of my face when it's loose. Look, This is what I can and can't wear from the first Google result for "hair clips".
NOOOOOO:
Alice bands, barrettes that consist on a piece of leather and a stick that goes through it, very big barettes, beak clips, "bendies" or "sleepies", bobbles, clips, combs, thin elastics
YAY:
Barrettes like this type, especially if they're about one inch long (so I can just hold the two locks of hair that fall on my face), claw clips that are not very big (they wouldn't hold the hair at the front), thicker elastics, cloth scrunchies (NOT the ones with stuff attached, like beads), headbands and headwraps (not a big fan, though).
Is there any infomercial product you're dying to try even though you know it probably sucks? Nooooooo!
What are your favorite websites (besides this one, and the online shops you listed in your questionnaire)? Shakesville, Feministe, Indexed...
There was a question somewhere about TV shows. I've changed my mind; I've never watched Buffy, and I'm curious, and I was a fan of Northern Exposure so I'd love to have it, downloaded or bought.
We have so many talented witches and they really need to promote themselves more so, 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? Or, if you want to brag on a previous witch's talent, this is the place for that as well. I love the work I've seen by Baitu and LacyJae. Kristana sent me some gorgeous earrings by her daughter in law . I don't have any handy pictures off my own work just now.
If you could make your perfect scent (or at least most desired at the moment!) what would be in it? I would love to have a gentle mix of lavender and rose with the tiniest drop of honey.
So would anyone like to receive some original, or very much loved recipes from his/her witch? Yes!
List things you DO NOT need any more of: I know I have soap for two years. I can't stop getting more anyway.
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 don't like offensive humour in general.
What do you like to snack on? nuts, cookies, dried fruit, crisps, nachos...
What is the color scheme you use most when you decorate? Light green and medium blue. The only BPAL forum skin I ever use is Spring.
If you have music or DVD's on your wishlist, do you mind getting a burned copy? How about if it is original packaging but previously used? Or do you only want it new? Music is music
Who is your favorite artist? What are some of your favorite pieces of their work?
Charles Rennie Mackingtosh, - the city of Glasgow
Velázquez - everything,
most impressionists, but particularly Monet, - anything with a sunset on it.
Vermeer.
What is your favorite latin or faux latiny phrase? Phew! I studied Latin in high school, and since my mother tongue is Spanish and I'm good with languages, I still could understand quite a lot. Latin is too mucb part of my conscience to answer this question.
How are you doing for BPAL storage? Need any boxes? I like to have relatively small boxes to help me keep things in order; I have one with 16 bottles, another one with 12 bottles, and 7 bottles in need of a box. I have 4 color-coded Altoid tins with imps currently in use (spicy/foody, fresh/herbal, floral, fruity) and two more boxes, one with ritual or magical blends and one with imps-not-in-use. So, in short: I'd love a pretty box that fits 12 to 20 bottles.
Is there any place you've visited where you feel like you left your heart there? Scotland, particularly GLASGOW!!!!!! I even donated blood there. So hopefully there's a chunk of me permanently in Scotland.
What one item would you just love to have that is made by a Switch Witch? Something crafty I can't make myself. For example, wood carving or knitting.
Is your abode a palace covered in fur, a disaster area ,or a neat freaks delight? The kitchen is clean and tidy. Every else is covered in clean laundry waiting to be folded, ironed or stored.
Are there any phobias you have that you absolutely, positively, do NOT want anything from your witch referencing? Ehm... I don't think she's going to send me porn, right?
Are you a good witch or a bad witch? That's for my witchee to figure out....
What kind of a car do you drive and would you want something you could use in your car? I drive an Opel Corsa that looks older than it is. I'm not interested in personalising it.
Do you want to know when you have something coming in the mail, or would you rather it be a complete surprise? I'd like to know, thanks
What is your mailbox situation? I don't have one. The postman slides letters under the door if they're thin and rings the bell for us to pick them up if they're too thick to pass through. If we're not in, he leaves them in the office next door or gives us a slip so that we pick the parcel up at the office.
Are you interested in Tarot or Tarot art? I have a Wiccan friend who does a reading for me once a year. That's all. It's probably the only form of future telling I'm interested in (I'm very skeptical about horoscopes, for example).
What would you think of soap samples/shampoo bar samples? Or other sample sized bath/beauty products, for that matter? I love samples. What I like the omst about all these small crafty online companies is the chance to try hundred of scents and textures. The only problem is that I've noticed that the scent of samples deteriorates faster.
What about burnables as in candles, tarts and/or incense? Candles and incense are great. I don't like tarts much - I'm afraid I'll knock down the container and mess everything with the pool of melted wax.
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? Very thick wool. I weave on a small loom. Wool with special effects - metallic shine, etc. I was thinking of selling or giving away fringe skirts like these: http://www.one-of-us.com/BellyDanceClothing.htm as they're easy to make.
Do you like coffee? Whole bean or ground? Bold/Medium/Mild roast? I don't normally drink coffee.
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? Are you brave enough to make me a top? fingerless gloves would be great for work. Not so much arm warmers. silk scarf????? YAY!!!!! dish clothes would be a shame, with tea and tomato stains, they would look pretty for a couple days at the most.
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 love honey, but again, isn't it too heavy to post? I hate honey-flavoured candy, though.
What are your favorite materials? Or material things? Some people like jewelry, some like woods, some plants... I'm not sure what to answer to this, it is too general.
Is there anything you've been wanting to learn that your witch might be able to help you with? time management? I have lots of spiritual questions too but in that sense I feel very alone
Posters, yes or no? not really.
What are your favorite animals? Or, what animals resonate strongly with you? Tigers, Penguins.
Are there any historical figures you are particularly interested in - say, that you'd enjoy reading about, or movies, etc.? Any interesting female character from the last couple of centuries. Poets.
What, if anything, are you earwormed with right now? Nothing right now.
What scent are you wearing right now, if any? I've tried three or four scents from the last update. I don't like the Alice frimp or Pink Flamingos. I'll probably keep Feast for the Greatly Revered Ones.
Anyone reading an amazing book right now? Not right now, sadly. I'm reading every Ruth Rendell book in my mother's collection because I'm in the mood for detective stories. Ruth Rendel is really good, but not "amazing".
What socially respsonsible site would you recommend to ALL Witches? Hmmmm.... probably my favourite feminist blog, Shakesville.
What is your favorite anime, or if you don't like that what is your favorite animated series? Does Hayao Mizayaki count?
Do you like villians that are funny because they are meant to be, or are you like me and love the villian that just can't seem to get his evil schemes to work? Not really. I like my villains interesting, like Iago or the romantic or victorian ones.
Tea. How do you feel about it? I love it.
would my future witchee like to receive steampunk style jewelry? Probably yes.
Does your feline like catnip? No cats.
Salt soap bars (soap made with a large quantity of salt, like salt-scrub-in-a-bar)? Sounds good!
How would you feel about homemade jelly/jam from home-grown berries? Sounds fantastic but it's probably too heavy to post.
Homemade dill pickles? Made from cukes, beans, snap peas, baby zucchini? Same as the jam: probably too heavy!
***6/22***
Based on Prior Carnivale act prototypes...which one are you truly excited about? Not sure.
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. Of course not
Pets: What do you have, and do they need/want anything? No pets.
Does anyone play video games? What platform(s)? Are there any new or vintage games you would like? I don't play videogames.
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'm not a twilight fan.
Ok, for all you shower people, would you like Bpal scented soap? I'm out of soap stuff right now, but if I can get any anytime soon, would that be something that you'd like? Or how about Bpal scented massage bars or solid scrub bars? Soap: yes, massage bars: not in summer, they'd melt in transit, scrub bars: if they're made with an oil, like sandy massage bars, they'd melt in transit too. Don't send me anything that couldn't stand 100ºF heat.
Are you in need of decanting supplies, wand caps, or other scent-related paraphernalia? I'd love glass wand caps, the sort you attach to bottles. I need a bottle cap, wand or not, because one of mine is broken. Pippettes would have me jumping around the house in joy. Pretty boxes that fit 10 to 20 bottles - yay. And a scent locket for ritual purposes (I have The House of Dread Desire for non-ritual scents).
Are there any single notes (likely non bpal) that anyone is dying to have/try? I think that blends are more interesting.
net flick or the likes gift subscriptions? A month of Netflicks vs a DvD? I don't use Netflix.
Adorable Japanese characters? Not really, but I like Japanese fabric designs, both classic kimono ones and modern cute ones.
Do you collect dolls or miniatures? No.
If you were to make a seasonal mix CD for this summer, what would you name it? That's a secret.
Would you like any recycle/upcycle supplies for your crafting? Small electronic components, chips and such. I was going to make punk jewelry with them.
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? Not now, I think.
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.? No gamer.
Would anyone like bath bombs or bath melts scented with one of their favorite Bpal scents? I take baths about twice a year, so... no thanks.
Would you like homemade cinnamon buns or sticky buns? Yum! but don't send me anything that shouldn't spend a month in transit, just in case.
Is there anyone here that likes Hello Kitty or any other Sanrio Characters? Not me.
Any non NZ or Aus witchee that I get gets Tim Tams, OK? OK!
***6/19***
For non-US witches: is there anything from the US you'd love that you can't get where you live now? Seeds! It would be great if If you can send me seeds for vegetables that can grow easily in a yard (things that would grow well in big pots; I'm having good results with lettuce, onions, stuff like that). My weather is more or less like California, so I can grow just about anything.
Spring: temperatures 15-25ºC (60º-80º F). Occasional rain.
Summer: temperatures 25-35ºC, (60-90º), occasionally higher in July. Very dry. Occasional storms.
Fall: temperatures 10-25ºC (50-80ºF). The wettest season. It can rain heavily for weeks.
Winter: Temps. -5 to 15 (20-60 F). Some rain. Occasional snow.
How many potential witchees have an iPod, or download MP3s? I have an mp3 player of a different brand and I like mp3s.
Are there any of the BPTP bath oils you adore (particularly ones that you cannot get anymore). What about the room sprays? I haven't tried any of them. I try not to look too much into the BPTP site as postage costs can be high.
How would you feel about an ultra-girlie shawl or wrap in summer-weight (lace)? Hhhmmmm..... I wouldn't use it in summer. Summer temepratures here easily reach 35 degrees (100ºF). I might use it in winter, though. "Ultra girlie" sounds good and I always have a problem with how to dress warmly with formal clothes in winter.
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 normally use plain black socks.
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, and I embroider although I haven't done much lately. I could probably embroider a scarf or a belt, something like that. I can also make accesories for ATS oir tribal fusion bellydance if you like wool (not very approppriate for a summer round as it's way too hot to work with wool, though). I can't draw or paint.
I'd like anything that you send me although I don't normally like objects that are purely decorative. I like jewels, candle holders, anything that can be given a ritual use, anything that can be used in the kitchen / to eat, cosmetics, boxes to keep BPAL bottles are all great things. I'd love to send or get baked things BUT I wouldn't trust international mail with homemade food.
How would you feel about soaps made with emu oil? Squicked out/concerned about animal cruelty, or willing to try them? (The woman I buy them from uses the whole emu. She sells the meat, sells the feathers, and uses the oil to make soap.) I think that if we use animals we better make good use of the whole animal. So, if the emus are farmed, the soap sounds good to me. Even any crafts done with the feathers sound good too.
Dark Delicacies new stuff: I'm not very attracted to scents that come without a description. So, nothing really.
Do you have a favorite insect, like a ladybug or dragonfly? Do butterflies or praying mantis creep you out? I like ladybugs, BUT for a long time some people assumed wrongly that I loved them and gave me several ladybug-shaped items. Only roaches and ants creep me out. Buterflies have been one of my favourite animals for a long time until I discovered that baby butterflies are worms that like to eat MY Brussel sprouts. I like spiders and in general, bugs that eat other bugs, rather than my vegetables.
Who knows about wizard rock and wants more? Who doesn't know but wants to? I'm curious.
What's the wallpaper/screensaver on your computer? A Jessiga Hagy cartoon.
Do you like Sugar Ray (the band not the boxer)? I don't think I'd like them, no.
Would you be interested in receiving some pasties from your witch? No, thanks.
How did you get your forum name? It's my real name. Well, it's what foreigners call me because my real name is a mouthful.
Anything from the trunk show? Things I have tried and would love more of: THIRTEEN OCTOBER 2006, Emathides, Milk Moon. Things I haven't tried but sound good: Snow Maiden, All Souls, Chiroptera, E Pluribus Unum, TKO v3.
Anything from the newest ebay listing? Death on a Pale Horse.
"If I could be I would be a cat for a day." A cat, or an amazing dancer, for the same reason. I'd like to know how it feels to be so strong and flexible. Either that, or a man.
What are your favorite types of baked goods? How would you feel about candied citrus peel, chocolate-covered or not? Would you be interested in the mix version of the baked goods or perhaps a spice mix, something along those lines? If you sent me any chocolate product in this weather it would melt in transit. I love candied citrus peel in any form and I use it to make fruitcake. A spice mix or a recipe would be wonderful.
I love baked goods in general. I prefer things that are not too sweet or too greasy (I don't like cakes with whipped cream, meringue, etc). Some of my favourite recipes are low-fat fruitcake (my speciality), "normal" scones, potato scones (they turn a complete disaster when I try to make them), Scandinavian gingerbread, Spanish almond-based things.
Question...do you fret or take it personally when your witch or witchee gets too quiet? Like they figured you out and don't like you? This is two different questions. About "disppearing", I take it easily, although I do prefer them to post on the forum moree or less regularly. About not liking me, honestly, I think that it's very hard to dislike a witch or a witchee. I may think "this person is hard to find gifts for" or "this person has nothing in common with me". Dislike would require a lot more contact!
Do you try to figure out who your witch is? Do you want your witch to give you clues? I like my witch to be herself. If destiny pair me up with someone who likes a lot of contact and we end up MSN friends, fantastic. If complete anonymity is important for her, that's fantastic too.
Who has a Kindle? If you do, would you like a Kindle gift card, Kindle accessories, etc. as a gift? Whadda you need? I don't like to read books from a screen. In fact, the time I spend online is probably one of the reasons I don't read as much poetry as I'd like.
What about other electronics (Blackberries, iPhone, etc.)? Do you need any accessories, etc. for those? I don't think I need anything, thanks.
I'd like to know if my witchee likes Rasputina, and would like any music by them? I've just heard what's available on their website. Sounds intriguing but not really my thing.
What new scents from the update are calling your name?: Too much!!!! Most of the Mad Tea Party, Stinky, and Berry Moon!
Is there anything you will like from Singapore or Asia in general? Phew... probably candy, although I'm not familiar with the flavours and brands.
Do you play any musical instruments? Which ones? If not, are there any you'd like to learn? What styles of music do you play, and are you interested in learning any different styles? I love music but I can't play anything.
Are you partial to any kind of comedy? I don't know... I hate offensive humour but aside that, everything's fine.
What did you do for the 4th and/or the holiday weekend? It wasn't a holiday here, but I went to a short dance workshop, had lunch at an Indian restaurant with a friend and her new boyfriend, visited my in-laws, and had dinner at my parents' to meet my aunt and her boyfriend (whom I had never met before). A very active weekend!
Partials, samples, sniffies? Everything on my wishlist is stuff I've never tried unless I say something different. It includes everything I'd like to test, rather than everything I'd like to own. So yes, sniffies are wonderful.
Have you read anything by China Mieville, Neil Gaiman or Charles de Lint? If so, what? Like/dislike...?? I love Gaiman and don't know the other two.
Do you like musicals? What have you seen? What do you want to see? Any you'd like to own? I LOVE musicals. Any and all.
What are your thoughts on J.R.R. Tolkein? I like him quite a lot. I have all the major works already.
If you answered that you would like recipes, are there any national or ethnic cuisines you prefer or don't prefer? I like nearly everything. I don't eat a lot of meat, I don't like to combine meat and dairy, and I like spices but not chillies. This rules out Mexican, I think.
What's your favorite summer activity? Beginning a book after lunch, and read it in one go, not going to bed until five AM.
Would you like a recipe booklet (homemade) for homemade smoothies and shakes? sure, that'd be lovely.
What's your favorite vacation spot? Glasgow and NYC. I like to spend my holidays in cities, visiting museums, going shopping and trying new food.
Would you like anything nostalgic? Things you loved from their childhood or maybe things you've always loved that were from a time before your own? I like Regency dresses, but you don't have to send me one The one nostalgic thing from my childhood that I have in common with the average BPAL user is Sesame Street and I already have all the toys I need or want...
What styles of jewelry do you like? Bold and funky? Delicate and dainty? Short necklaces, long ones, chokers? Bracelets or anklets? I prefer it delicate. I prefer long earrings to short. I never wear long necklaces and I rarely wear bracelets unless I'm dancing.
Enabling: This shop is dedicated to African-American haircare. My hair isn't African but it's curly and dry so this website sounds good.
Does my witchee like hats, a floppy summer sun hat or something more stylish? Would you like a hand knit cap or hat? I can only wear hats when it's very, very cold. And I think I'd like to see and choose them myself.
Non-melting candies....what are your favorites? sour ones, probably.
What are you happiest about (besides SW)? What makes you feel good this summer? Any summer? This summer: free time, at last. Any summer: normally, the possibility of travelling. Summer fruits. I spend all the spring looking forward to the cherry season.
Do you like coffee and/or wine? Coffee: yes, wine YES.
What are your thought on World Market? I've just seen the website, it looks ok.
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 don't like dogs, or pets in general, very much.
Who out there is equally challenged and would appreciate icons/banners as witchy gifts? I would.
Lip balm? I prefer lipstick.
Have you any desire to read Hannibal? Absolutely not.
If your witch goes to Convergence (or is bestest friends with someone, same thing), is there anything you'd love to have? I can't think of anything in particular.
Are you freaking out over any of the discontinued scents, dear fellow Witches? Eric Zahn smelled nice on The Boy and I liked Madrid, but I'm just a bit sad that the only scent named after something Spanish is gone than anything else.
For those candy loving witchees. Are there any 3 that u love and would like more of? Three American flavours I miss: maple syrup, blueberries, raisin and oatmeal cookies.
And, are there any 3 that u just cannot stand and would not like any of? I hate salty liquorice, most cookies, and peanut butter unless it is the all-natural, 99% peanut variety.
Do you have an electric stove, and would you like a bowl and tarts to use the residual heat (and for extra safety)? I have one of those stoves in black glass... ceramic, are they called? Something to use the residual heat after cooking that would counteract the smell of food would be nice.
What is your favorite classic fairy tale or children's story ? The Little Mermaid. The real thing, not Disney's mess. As a child II had a fascination with fairy tales with sad endings, like The Happy Prince or the Tin Soldier.
What of the summer update (Egyptian, Lawn Ornaments, etc.) appeals most to you? I've bought a handful of bottles and the only ones that have worked are Litha and Feast for the greatly revered ones.
With all this talk of chocolate, do you prefer milk or dark? Either. Both
What's that one thing you keep meaning to get but keep forgetting or passing over? The item on my Amazon wishlist that I have wanted for the longest time is the John Donne. OOOOHHHH!!! I have been meaning to look for a couple of aprons since I moved out of my parent's house a year ago. I'm very messy in the kitchen so I have a full set of "kitchen only sweatshirts". They're becoming depressing and horrible and I'd love to have a few aprons so that my stay-at-home clothes are comfortable, but not so bad looking. I need something that covers the chest, and ideally with pockets. My mother has one like a pinafore that ties with ribbons on the sides, but she didn't let me have it I've included a couple of apron makers on my etsy favorites And I like what I see in this website. The problem with this fashion of cute aprons is that they are clearly 50's-inspired and I don't like the period that much. I like them cute, but not in a "50's kitsch" way.
Dear witch: I will be very, very grateful for any gifts for my boyfriend. Anything to help me with his Christmas gifts! He's really the best thing in my life and I'd like to give him many small surprises this Christmas, so if you send me anything for him, warn me beforehand so I can hide it discreetly until the right time.
Henna: No, thanks.
Calendars: No, thanks. Journals in the sense of organisation journals for 2010: I'm already covered. Journals, as in, pretty notebooks: always welcome.
What are your thoughts on Halloween decorations? As I've said before, not interested.
What tarot card do you most identify with? The lovers, and to some extent, the queen of swords. The Boy is the King of Cups. He always appears in my readings.
******9/23*****
Who collects ACEOs/ATCs? Not me.
If you could describe yourself in 5 words, what would they be? Feminist, foody, perfectionist, in love.
Do you collect new/used stamps? No.
Any WKAP you're excited about? Not really.
How do you feel about stationary? (pens, notepads, cards, pencils, etc.) It's always good.
Tea lovers, loose or bag? Paraphernalia? Both. Loose black tea unless it's teadirect, herbal in bags, usually.
Would you object to annonomous postcards (real ones) from your witch before the big reveal??? That would be nice.
Beetroot: I like them, but I don't get the fuss.
Trading post: I don't dare to look in the website. I got the Forbidden Brides scent locket because it came out at the same time that I got a rash from any blend with cinnamon...
Mizayaki: Love. Love love love. I don't own anything and I don't think I've watched everything.
Alcohol: I like drinking it with meals and making cocktails. I think I have a very Mediterranean attitude to it; Alcohol is a food group comparable to sweets. Better had often but in small amounts.
Mojo bags: As someone said in the forum, I'd rather have spell components than a spell made for me. But thanks for the thought.
Do you wear lip gloss/lip balm? If so, what flavors/scents? Not really, I prefer lipstick.
What is one thing you constantly keep with you that you constantly loose? Everything! Especially my keys :S
What are your favorite fruits? Cherries. I like berries but strawberries are the only available ones over here. I like most fruits although I find apples boring.
What is your favorite cookie type? I prefer European style biscuits. The only cookies I like are oatmeal and raisin.
Are you into 80s movies (like i am ) if so, which are your favorites and who are your favorite characters? Can't really think of any.
Do you mind artificial colors in your food? No.
Who wants hair pretties?(headbands, barrettes, pony-o's, scrunchies, bobby pins, hair clips, etc) Haven't I answered this already?
If you were my witchee, would you like any of the scents/sizes that are available on clearance? This refers, I think, to Big Dipper candles. I don't need candles to be scented, so it all sounds nice.
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.The Boy is in charge of the origami!! Origami paper would be a great gift for him.
How do you feel about clothing/accessories made from animals? Anti-fur, leather, shells, etc.? Does even faux wig you out? I don't like the look and feel of fake fur. I don't like stuff made from wild animals (such as coral). Leather and feathers are fine.
How do you deal with stress? What's your favorite way to unwind? I'm awful at stress management. My favourite remedies are big mugs of tea, long showers, and perfumes that include lavender.
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? The craft is, certainly, bellydance. It would be hard to pick a mentor.
Re: candles. I love candles. I use them for religious reasons, to create an atmosphere, as decoration, for light, and finally for scent, which is not a necessary characteristic. I like fresh, floral, perfumey smells more than foody ones. Spicy smells are nice. I don't get how can pumpkin be a good smell for a candle or a perfume. I hate candles that don't burn well - for example, funny-shaped ones.
Who is musically inclined? What instruments (voice counts) do you play? Would you enjoy sheet music? I love music, but I can't sing or play.
Favorite musicals? Any and all. From Fred Astaire to Bollywood.
Which of the seven deadly sins is most likely to be your undoing? Rage and Gluttony.
Anyone want a nickname and embroidered headband from PandaBite? Not me.
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? I've used their tarts once or twice, and that's all.
Would a "gift" donation to one of the organizations/causes you support be a great gift, or a lame gift? It would be absolutely fantastic.
Does anyone have any symbols they consider to be personally significant or talismanic? Not really. I think that the reason is probably that I rely on language way too much. Another reason is that I don't like the Cross very much because I just see it as the instrument of torture it once was. I like aums, and the triple goddess sign, but they're not particularly representative of me. I also like Brigid's cross, Celtic and Chinese knots, and geometrical patterns that represent circular movement (even Recycle symbols!)
Are there any Gods, Goddess, or other mythological figures of whom you're particularly fond? Christian saints: the poets, the writers, the mystics. St Thomas of Aquinas (patron saint of teachers), St John of the Cross (his day of remembrance in the church is the day before my birthday), Theresa of Avila, St Francis and St Clare. St Bede. I have a problem with the Virgin Mary as I hate the way that she has been taught to women as an impossible model to imitate Pagan Gods: Athenea, probably. I'm very curious about the main female Indian deitis (Durga, Shakti, Shiva, in that order). Shiva. Ganesh. Odin. Yggdrasil. It breaks my heart that the Yggdrasil and Odin BPALs give me headaches.
Super villain or vigilante? Which would you like to be? Which would you like to receive? I'm a vigilante already. I'm a teacher, ¿remember?
What mythical or fantastic race of creatures (dragons, unicorns, griffins, elves, dwarves, faeries, etc.) do you most identify with, and why? I'm a Sagittarius and I quite liked centaurs when I was a child. I imagined them wise and strong and in a confused way I thought I could / would become one.
But I'm actually a hobbit. I like to eat every two hours and I love mushrooms.
How do you feel about Dia de los Muertos? Are you interested in sugar skulls? Catrina (or other) skeleton figurines? No, and no. All the dead people in my life leave me with a sense of missed opportunities. It's just a sad occasion.
Do you have a favorite poem or poet? Many! Shakespeare, John Donne, E E Cummings, Alan Spence, Seamus Heaney, and classical Japanese haiku writers. To name a few.
For the crafty people out there: would you prefer something crafted or crafting supplies? Either. Both.
Can you use pill boxes, a hard ID case, coin purse, etc? yes to pill boxes. I have a coin purses but I'd love something that fitted a handful of Kleenex (the plastic packs tend to break inside my handbag), and now that I think about it, a lanyard that went well with my light purple coin purse would be great. On my coffee break, I go to the nearest café with my keys and my coin purse and no handbag (because it is huge) and sometimes I forget them!
Any songs you are desperately into at the moment? Not just now, no.
What's autumn like in your neck of the woods? What do you love and/or hate about it? I know two autumns: The autumn in the Sevilla-Huelva area (extreme south-west Spain) and my current place of residence, which is extreme south too but a mountain area.
Up to last year, I knew three seasons. Spring, Summer, Winter. "autumn" was rainy winter. It only rains in November and early spring. People say "there is no autumn here" and the season is fundamentally grey.
Since last year, there is a difference between autumn and winter. Winter is clearly colder. And Autumn is a countdown to Christmas because this town lives on the sale of Christmas sweets to the rest of Spain. The place smells of spices for four months.
I like the beginning of the school year, the countdown to Christmas, and the end of the unbearable heat of the summer. I dislike the rain and the greyness. I wish trees went red.
If you're caught in front of the tv, what are you watching? The news. I could be watching CSI or Law and Order but The Boy hates those with a passion, and Law and order is satellite only and I don't have satellite TV any more.
Any Amy Brown art fans? I just took a quick look. I'm on a search of female images that aren't too cute, passive or childlike. Amy Brown looks a little bit likew what I'm looking for. Or... ask galahad were he got the stuff he used for CD sleeves and ecards.
How do you feel about Halloween music? (mix CDs, what have you) As I have said before, I'm not a Halloween fan.
Who else is reeeeeally looking forward to Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland? Me!
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 live in the middle of nowhere, population 12,000. Aside from the basics, I do most of my shopping in other places. I miss bookshops most of all.
Lolcats....yeah or nay? yay.
What is your favorite creepy folk story or legend? I can't really think of any just now.
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 it in writing.
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 have asked a friend of mine who studies Fine Arts at Uni to make a painting for The Boy. I cannot make a description to you because it illustrates something about a Spanish childhood in the 80's - it doesn't translate.
If it was a painting for me, I'd probably like an oil painting with a bouquet of white or blue flowers, in bright colors.
What's something you're really looking forward to in the semi-near future?A day on the beach if we get one last sunny weekend before autumn starts properly. A Mapplethorpe exhibition. Friends visiting.
What fictional character do you most identify with and why? I used to think I had a crush on Jane Eyre. Now I think I identify with her. I'm a teacher, I have a big mouth and I'm worried about not being good enough.
Could you use a 'travel' imp case? How many should it hold? Anything from 5 to 20. Altoid tin size max.
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 answered this on the forum.
What is your idea of the perfect evening at home? Eating with The Boy a light but elaborate meal that I enjoyed cooking, with dessert. Followed by a massage by candlelight. Sex optional.
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 have a dozen blogs , I have Facebook, and I'm on Twitter as laguiri. I don't use them to make new friends but to stay in contact with RL ones.
What kind of socks? Black and discreet. I used to love colourful ones but they don't look good with the sort of clothes I wear to work these days.
How often do you update your wishlist? Whenever there's an update or I get a new batch of imps. It's always up to date. It has everything I have not tried and does not contain notes of doom, that is why it's so long.
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 costuming here. Except bellydancing, and I'm not dancing in public at the moment, so...
Who are your favorite artists/illustrators/art periods? Too many to mention. I like Charles Rennie Mackintosh, rennaissance art... just lots of things.
What's your stance on cranberries? 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.) That's not a problem, of course!
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? Not really, not right now, and no 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? A biscuit, probably. Or cheese and bread.
Do you have a favorite bpal bottle art? Not that I remember.
Are there any decants from the Halloweenies, Literary Vampires, Gris Grimly, or Hellboy that you would be interested in receiving?
I joined a decant circle so there's nothing I need
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 many types of candy. I don't like Reese cups, most mints, and most liquorice. I hate salty liquorice.
Do you have a Blu-Ray player? No.
Do you have any objections to receiving downloads? No. Is your internet connection fast enough for you to download large files like music easily? yes. Are there any songs, albums, movies, or TV shows that you can't find/haven't been released that you want? Doctor Who. I saw a season or two when I was about eleven and then it wasn't on TV any more, ever again.
Are you interested in things like home remedies for ailments, cleaning solutions, etc.? yes, why not.
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.? fabric would be lovely, although I haven't learnt to sew yet (there's an etsy shop in my favourites). I'd love very thick wool. For jewelry, nice findings and beads are always welcome!
What's your favorite pain-relief remedy or ritual? A long hot shower. Massage is good. When all else fails, Ibuprofen.
Do sounds make you happy? What ambient noises make you smile? Yes... I like to hear my boyfriend sing, and birdsong, and the wind on trees.
When you receive your SW packages...do you like receiving things that are individually wrapped inside? or unwrapped? or both? Definitely individually wrapped. I love to open a box with a dozen surprises.
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. Tazo or Stash tea, I don't like them. Soap, I have too much at the moment. That's it.
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?
Always wanted, never tried: most of the Salons on my wishlist. I don't like to buy bottles unsniffed and they aren't very popular on the swaps forums. Tried, loved, never again: Emathides (bought an imp, it broke!) and Candy Butcher (bought an imp, it disappeared!!!)
I know we're all scent sensitive here. What are your favorite non-perfume smells? Day in the life stuff? Many food ones: olive oil, the sweet factories in my town, most spices... I like the smell of the country more than the sea.
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'm not a big coffee fan.
Who has a birthday falling in this round? Not me. I'm a December baby.
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?
Chillies are kind of OK. I like almonds but NOT hazelnuts or macadamias. Fruit is always great. I love chocolate with candied ginger.
Are there any childhood shows/movies/games/books/etc. that still hold a really special place in your heart? The average stuff of an eighties childhood. I was a BIG fan of Michael Ende and Maria Gripe.
Super power? dividing myself into five or six to get five times as many things done.
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. Spices? I have a pestle and I find using it quite therapeutic.
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 love mugs (not huge ones).
I like flavoured black tea (with flowers, spices or fruits) without sugar or milk; green or herbal tea also plain; Black tea with milk; chai with milk and sugar.
Restaurants you'd like a gift certificate to on Restaurant.com? Not available in my country, I'm afraid.
In your perfect world it is chocolate and...? my boyfriend to share it with.
How do you scent your home: tarts, reed diffusers, BPAL, candles? The Boy prefers incense sticks. Sometimes I scent a candle with BPAL. I only have an oil burner which is a bit too small to hold tarts; I prefer oil to tarts anyway. I0ve never used reed diffusers but they sound like a good idea.
What's your favorite dessert treat? Ice cream? Cake? Pie? Fudge brownie cake with pie flavored ice cream on top? This is the hardest question in the entire round.
Do you believe we control our destiny, or does our destiny control us? I don't believe in destiny. Catholics are not supposed to, and it is probably the most Catholic thing about my worldview. Actually, the destiny vs. freedom, predestination vs. randomness question makes me very uncomfortable.
What one thing that is missing from your life would you like to have above all else? My life is pretty good at the moment. I don't know what I wish the most; getting married or perfect health. Economical stability for The Boy is a prerequisite for getting married....
What was your favouritest job ever, and why? My current one. I'm a high school teacher, with only one year of experience. I teach English as a Foreign Language to kids ages 13 to 18! I like working with teenagers a lot more than I thought. And the school I'm in is very good.
Which three albums would you take to your apocalypse bolt hole and how would you power the generator? The Beatles Blue album (the compilation of late greatest hits), Pink Floyd's The Wall, and The Well-Tempered Klavier. My boyfriend would take care of the generator.
What GC scent have you been putting off getting since it'll "always be there"? Salons. They are the last of my GC priorities.
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 love cooking. An apron would be fantastic, this is what I said in the summer round:
I need something that covers the chest, and ideally with pockets. My mother has one like a pinafore that ties with ribbons on the sides, but she didn't let me have it magtongue.gif I've included a couple of apron makers on my etsy favorites icon_biggrin.gif And I like what I see in this website. The problem with this fashion of cute aprons is that they are clearly
Cookbooks: unless it's on my Amazon wishlist, I'm not interested because I like to have practical cookbooks, and to use them, and right now I have quite a few. Measuring cups, I prefer to cook by weight. Recipes would be nice. Spice containers: I have a problem there because I have 30 or 40 different spices and they are all in differently shapped containers, so I dream of having a spice rack but that's just not possible.
Fancy spices: this is all that I'd like and don't have (or can't get easily), according to Wikipedia:
Chinese 5-spice. Sage. Curry leaf. Lemongrass. Poppy seeds. Nigella (onion seeds). Cardamom. Tamarind paste. Allspice.
Dish towels: sounds nice, they are always useful.
Napkins: no thanks.
Potholders: that would be great, I actually need one or two.
50's-inspired and I don't like the period that much. I like them cute, but not in a "50's kitsch" way.
Are you an avid reader? What's your favorite book/series? I love to read. I find it very hard to pick favorites but you can imagine I have to love Charles Dickens to be finishing a PhD about him.
What's your favorite candy to stock up on at Halloween? I don't do Halloween. I like most types of candy, especially sour or chewy ones.
What are your phobias? I'm afraid of falling down stairs.
What is your favourite flower (or plant)? I like blue flowers! And zinnias.
Duct tape purses and wallets and things are pretty darned cool. Who else thinks so? My boyfriend probably would.
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? I'd spend the whole week trying to decide which is The Perfect, All-Occasions Handbag. And the last day I'd buy it.
Who likes coloring books? Not me.
Do you have a Good Reads profile? If so, make with the link! I mostly use it to keep track of my pile of unread books. http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1910
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 think I've eaten take out once in the last 13 months. Does that answer your question?
If you could decorate/redecorate any 1 room in your home, what would it be and how would you decorate it? The bedroom. All I can think is that I would burn one of the closets and get a much bigger, modern, simpler one.
Any rabid sports fans out there? What teams do you root for? Not really. This is Soccerland and I'm not that interested. I love sports that are in some way dance-related (Synchro, gymnastics...) but the unfairness of the judges and the media are too discouraging.
What's your favorite animal? (You can have more than one.) Tigers and 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!)? The death of the Sun. It's going to swell up and swallow us.
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!) It's going to be harsh after we destroy biodiversity irreversibly.
Do you believe in magic (or magick, if you prefer)? What does it mean to you? I believe most of the basic principles of Wicca. My Christianity has a strong Wicca leaning.
If you found the puzzle box from Hellraiser, what would you do with it? ( and would you be able to resist playing with it? Considering that all my knowledge of Hellraiser is second-hand from my boyfriend, I'd be in a dilemma. Showing it to him because he'd find it very cool? Or hiding it away because he loves fixing things???
Do you like pinup art/images? No.
What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions? As I have said before, I'm not interested in Halloween, but I have a Wiccan friend who is a solitary witch living about 90 minutes away from me, it's going to be on a Saturday, and it's her favourite Wiccan holiday, so I might go and just have lunch with her at some point that weekend.
Who are your BPAL forum buddies? You know, people I could conspire with to Witch you! I'm not sure. Some people who know me better than the rest are Baitu and Lilirose. My past witches have been Kristana and Galahad.
What is your favorite color? Green-and-blue.
Any other steampunk fans/lovers? Yes for the boyfriend. Me, by association.
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! It would have to be in the spring because the summer here is too hot and the fall, too rainy. The only must-have food is Spanish-style potato omelette (like a fritatta). We'd have it in a park and I picture in it some of my dance friends, yoga classmates and even workmates. Say, about a dozen people.
Any Gamers here? What kind? Board games? RPG? Miniature? MMORPG? Not me. The boyfriend loves nostalgic things... videogames from the 80's and 90's.
Is anyone playing this round of SW into ABJ? (asian ball jointed dolls) Not me.
What is your favorite Halloween icon? neh.
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 poetry. Some novels: Dombey and Son, Written on the Body, The Frozen Heart. Some olive oil. My moonstone ring, if it didn't have so much sentimental value.
Favorite kind or take out kinda burger? Whats your burger preference? Veggie,meat or ???? I'd rather have a Serranito (a "little one from the mountains". Take a boneless porkchop, a slice of dry-cured ham, a slice of tomato and a fried green pepper. Put inside a white roll or similar piece of bread. Eat with fries.
Whats your favorite childhood toy? A doll called Nancy. She was sort of a Spanish reaction to Barbie but she was about 15 inches high and with quite natural proportions. Mine were actually borrowed from my mom's; she couldn't afford dolls as a child and my father bought her about three Nancys before I was born. It's funny but she's the only toy I remember very well, the only logical answer to this question even though I think I played more with other toys.
If you have a pet, what kind of gifts would be good for them? Does the boy count? He likes machines and computers, and origami, and sweets.
Do you Tweet? What is your Twitter name? I'm laguiri, but I tweet in Spanish.
Are you on Ravelry? What is your Ravelry name? I don't know what that is.
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 stand any sort of physical violence on film so all the scary films I like are ghost stories, like The Others.
Are roasted pumpkin seeds and home made chex mix the best fall snack foods, or what? Pumpkin seeds are nice, but I doubt I'd like chex mix.
Whats your favorite pie, my dear SW's? I prefer cake to pie. I prefer fruit pies.
What kinda socks ar you wearing tonight? Are you kidding? I'm wearing flipflops, otherwise my feet would melt.
Do you like socks? Blankets? Wrist warmers? Arm warmers? Headband? Shawl? Or what kind of knitted thing would you love the most? Socks: I wear boring black. Blankets are nice, but too heavy for you to post. Wrist warmers sound nice, arm warmers are an interesting idea but I don't know if I'd use them. a Shawl would be amazing.
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 do like to read ghost stories.
Who here is LOVING Warehouse 13? Have never heard of that.
Nother question! Coffee or Tea? I like coffee but I don't drink much of it. I love tea.
Interested in locally produced products? Food, skincare or both?Olive oil? Lavender oils or soaps? Yes. Both. I live in a place that officially produces the best olive oil in Spain. Lavender-scented anything is considered a staple in this house (as in, there's perfume and then there's lavender; there's two soaps on the shower: one must be lavender and the other keeps changing).
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? My usual jewelry is: a pair of dangly earrings and one bracelet, or a short necklace and tiny earrings. Sometimes I wear pendants.
cut-and-pasting from a summer round question:
This is what I can and can't wear on my hair from the first Google result for "hair clips".
NOOOOOO:
Alice bands, barrettes that consist on a piece of leather and a stick that goes through it, very big barettes, beak clips, "bendies" or "sleepies", bobbles, clips, combs, thin elastics
YAY:
Barrettes like this type, especially if they're about one inch long (so I can just hold the two locks of hair that fall on my face), claw clips that are not very big (they wouldn't hold the hair at the front), thicker elastics, cloth scrunchies (NOT the ones with stuff attached, like beads), headbands and headwraps (not a big fan, though).
What is your favourite historical period? The Victorian period, probably.
What other hot beverages everyone likes for fall? Most herbal teas.
Did you order anything from the most recent update? I don't think so. Can you believe I don't remember?
Vampires or Werewolves? Or some other monster? Vampires. I like my villains cool and sophisticated.
What sort of odd or regional foods do you crave? Norwegian sweet cheese. Gudbrandalsost. When I was a child, my family had Norwegian friends who brought it with them oncce a year. It's not available in Spain so it's something I miss a lot.
