Does anyone have any symbols they consider to be personally significant or talismanic?

 

I have a great love of / obsession with five-pointed stars. Not for any significant reason that I know of, but just because I've loved them for at least 13 years now.

 

Are there any Gods, Goddess, or other mythological figures of whom you're particularly fond?

 

Look at the grammatical correctness of this question! Um, no, not particularly.

 

Super villain or vigilante? Which would you like to be? Which would you like to receive?

 

You know, when I was a little kid I always wanted to be Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty... until The Little Mermaid came out.

 

What mythical or fantastic race of creatures (dragons, unicorns, griffins, elves, dwarves, faeries, etc.) do you most identify with, and why?

 

Ooo, I guess mermaids. And, actually, that was pre-The Little Mermaid. I was obsessed with Splash as a kid.

 

How do you feel about Dia de los Muertos? Are you interested in sugar skulls? Catrina (or other) skeleton figurines?

 

I have some canvas sugar skull mary janes, but other than that no.

 

Do you have a favorite poem or poet?

 

I can't think of one off the top of my head. I read waaaaay too much poetry when taking a creative writing class in high school

 

For the crafty people out there: would you prefer something crafted or crafting supplies?

 

Either is great! If you have a different craft than mine I would *love* something crafted. Yarn is always good too, though I have lots.

 

Can you use pill boxes, a hard ID case, coin purse, etc?

 

Sure! Pill boxes would make great stitch marker boxes too. I used to have a hard ID case that I loved, but now I could use it to carry all the extra cards (for grocery stores and frequent buyer and such) that are crowding my wallet! And I love cute coin purses since my New Year's Resolution a couple years ago was not to throw change in the bottom of my bag.

 

Any songs you are desperately into at the moment?

 

I've been desperately into Into the White by Katatonia, Stained Silver by Cave In, and Say When by Fair to Midland for about a year now.

 

What's autumn like in your neck of the woods? What do you love and/or hate about it?

 

Here it's usually pretty nice. Leaves change, it gets crisp but not too cold, and sometimes it rains but I don't mind it. I like the overcast days better than the sunny ones anyway.

 

What's your favorite product(s) at Trader Joe's?

 

Oh, I adore Trader Joe's! I have easy access, so my witch shouldn't feel like s/he has to get me anything there. The chocolate covered raisins and the chocolate orange sticks are awesome. I also love the frozen steel cut oatmeal cuz I'm weird.

 

If you're caught in front of the tv, what are you watching?

 

Probably Bones, The Closer, Psych, or House. Or reruns of Law and Order while I knit.

 

Any Amy Brown art fans?

 

I like her stuff ok, but I just don't think it would fit much in my house. Though I don't know, if there was one with blue and stars that would be cool...

 

How do you feel about Halloween music? (mix CDs, what have you)

 

I have a playlist for Halloween, but most of it isn't *really* Halloween music besides Black #1 by Type O Negative and a cover of Halloween by AFI. The other stuff is mostly just thing with "ghost" or "monster" or something in the title. I don't know... I'd give it a shot. Oh, also the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack. I play that for Halloween too.

 

Who else is reeeeeally looking forward to Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland?

 

I'm interested... mostly to see Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.

 

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?

 

Hmm... not really. There's an awesome bar in Cambridge, MA called River Gods that I love for the atmosphere, and I don't even drink!

 

Lolcats....yeah or nay?

 

Usually nay.

 

What is your favorite creepy folk story or legend?

 

I don't have one. I'm not really into creepy stories.

 

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, but I'm not a big fan of ghost stories.

 

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've actually gotten to do this before from a friend I went to high school and college with - he's a good artist. I sort of gave him free rein except I told him I wanted blue. It's a painting of a blue sky with white stars and a hilly landscape in front of it with a rocky monument type thing on the horizon. My sister's best friend also painted me a sheep similar to the one in The Little Prince that is hanging in my knitting corner.

 

If I got to do it again I'd request something in the same vein as Starry Night - a swirly sky with stars. Maybe something in the foreground but I don't know what. And something fairly large so I could hang it over my couch as a centerpiece.

 

What's something you're really looking forward to in the semi-near future?

 

I'm traveling to New York for the Sheep & Wool festival in October and visiting some friends in Boston. I'm excited for that!

 

What fictional character do you most identify with and why?

 

I don't really know. I used to (and sometimes still do) identify with Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye - not the pompous jerk part or all the swearing, but because I think underneath he's just someone who is growing up and seeing the world appearing to change around him when really he's just changing himself. I know I still feel that way sometimes when I have to do something particularly "grown up" and scary or make big decisions. It's like the world is changing so fast and leaving you behind, but then you realize that really the world is pretty much the same and it's *you* who is changing. And you don't feel ready to be an adult. But I think I finally realized that most people feel that way sometimes - it's not like adults have all the answers. That's when I felt really grown up. And there's a little window into my brain!

 

Could you use a 'travel' imp case? How many should it hold?

 

I rarely travel with imps, but maybe that's because I don't have an easy way to carry them! I don't know, 4? 5?

 

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 like many little packages because it can be overwhelming to get a huge box of wonderful all at the end, but I understand that shipping prices can be high, so whatever works best for my witch is fine!

 

What is your idea of the perfect evening at home?

 

Curling up on the couch with some nice beverage (chai if it's cold, iced coffee milk tea if it's hot) and my kitties and my knitting and watching a good movie or TV show while I knit. Alternatively reading a lovely book.

 

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 do have a Facebook, but I don't usually add people who aren't my "real life" friends. Plus I hardly ever use it. I have a twitter (I'm stariel there too) but it's locked - if you want to follow me just leave a note about who you are and I'll add you. Otherwise I have a Plurk that's mostly public.

 

What kind of socks?

 

I love socks! I have a lot of crazy socks, both store-bought and hand knit. Mostly I like ankle socks for summer and normal size socks for the rest of the year. I don't usually wear knee-highs or anything higher because I have enormous muscular calves. I am so not kidding.

 

How often do you update your wishlist?

 

Whenever I find out about something I just must try, or try an imp and decide I want a bottle.

 

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 really want to be Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas for Halloween. I don't have anything appropriate. I seem to recall I knew someone with a Sally dress but now I can't remember who it was. I might just give up and make my black velvet cloak into a costume again. I don't costume for anything else.

 

So, who has a store or ETSY shop or knows of a shop of a fellow BPALer that everybody needs to check out?

 

I think most the ones I know have been listed.

 

Who are your favorite artists/illustrators/art periods?

 

I like Dali and Escher a lot. I also like impressionist landscapes like Monet. Oh, and Starry Night, of course.

 

What's your stance on cranberries?

 

I love them dried, love them in scones, and love fresh cranberry sauce if it's not too sour. But not from a can, ugh!

 

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.)

 

Not at all! In fact, if you have a copy of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind sitting around unloved I'd love it - I always forget to get that one.

 

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 used to have a crush on Heath Ledger. Now I sort of have a crush on Peter Petrelli from Heroes. Oh, and Legolas. And Eric Northman from the Sookie books... because a tall blond with long hair who's also a viking *AND* a vampire? I even speak Norwegian! But I'm not really into fanfiction.

 

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 usually have a stash of granola bars. The chewy kind with fruit and nuts.

 

Do you have a favorite bpal bottle art?

 

I don't have / haven't seen that many LE bottles. I like Zarita the Doll Girl.

 

Are there any decants from the Halloweenies, Literary Vampires, Gris Grimly, or Hellboy that you would be interested in receiving?

 

I'm already getting quite a few of the Halloweenies. The Literary Vampires didn't really seem my style but I'd be open to trying them. I haven't even looked at the others.

 

There has been a lot of talk about chocolate, but none about Candy! What is your favorite Candy? What candy do you hate?

 

I think most of my favorite candy has chocolate. I can't usually do gummies because of gelatin. Oh, Red Vines! Totally obsessed with them. But not Twizzlers, those are totally different and I don't like them. I like candy corn in moderation. I'm sure I'll think of something later.

 

Do you have a Blu-Ray player?

 

Sadly no. I don't think my TV would even do it justice.

 

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'm not really into illegal downloads. I do have a fast internet connection, though. I do really like mix CDs, I feel like those are more a "taste" of artists and then if I like them I can go buy more.