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What is everyone's take on Valentine's Day?

 

Meh. Up until two years ago my love life was basically nonexistent, so V-Day was really just an occasion to grumble and drink gin and bitters, and once to paint a gigantic cynical mural on newspapers that wallpapered my friends' house's dining room. Another year I painstakingly made my own conversation

hearts by scraping some Sweethearts clean with an exacto knife, then writing new messages (e.g. "LUV SUX" "HATE U") on using a technical pen filled with red food coloring. Two years ago I guess I had my first "real" V-Day in that it was spent with a boyfriend--although he dumped me via email two weeks later. But last year I got to celebrate the day with my current sweetie, which was lovely. Damned if I can remember what we actually did, though.

 

Do you like traditional Valentine's Day colors (red, pink, white, more?)

 

I don't think it's possible for me to overindulge in the color red. It's seemingly everywhere in my home and on my person. White I don't really care for, and pink...well, let's just say I'm coming around on pink. It really depends upon the shade; pastels leave me cold, but give me something punchy and bright and I'll at least give it a chance.

 

Favorite semi-obscure animal?

 

Oh, oh, can I make a plug for rats? The cute/indoor/wanted kind, of course. They aren't obscure, I know, they just have a bad reputation. But they're awfully adorable and smart as the dickens! It pisses me off to no end that I developed an allergy to rats after owning them for a few years.

 

What is your favorite sign that spring is coming?

 

Me, I can't decide. I'm torn between 1) bouquets of daffodils showing up at the grocery store, 2) that one week of really nice, sunny weather Washington always seems to get sometime in February, and 3) the annual appearance of Cadbury Mini Eggs.

 

Knitted items:

 

Love, love, love anything handmade. Crafts rock! In fact, if I am lucky enough to be included in this round, my witchee will most likely be getting some kind of customized embroidered hanky in their package...

 

Used books/CDs:

 

Go for it!

 

Naughty stuff:

 

Sure, why not.

 

Ren Faires, Cons and dress-up:

 

I have a passing interest in steampunkish things, almost went to SteamCon in Seattle last year but didn't get off my duff in time to make a costume. I did however attend a steampunk birthday high tea recently, and dressed up to boot, which was loads of fun.

 

Accessories for electronic doodads:

 

Nothing in particular comes to mind, I think I'm set on that front.

 

Pet toys:

 

Alas, I have no pets. In fact I'm allergic to most cute and fuzzy critters.

 

Top 25 most listened to on iTunes:

 

"Take Me With U," Prince

"Bad Romance," Lady Gaga

"Just Kissed My Baby," The Meters

"Skin Tight," Ohio Players

"Future Shock," Curtis Mayfield

"Atomic Dog," George Clinton

"Fight The Power - Pts. 1 & 2," The Isley Brothers

"The Payback," James Brown

"Human Nature," Michael Jackson

"Mothership Connection (Star Child)," Parliament

"Outa-Space," Billy Preston

"Bustin' Loose," Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers

"The Message," Cymande

"Halfway Home," TV On The Radio

"Teenage Wildlife," David Bowie

"Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love)," The Delfonics

"Cult of Personality," Living Colour

"Cuando te Vea," Tito Puente

"Everything That Happens," Brian Eno & David Byrne

"Golden Years," David Bowie

"Le Temps Des Cerises," Edith Piaf

"I Thank You," Sam & Dave

"Golden Hours," 801

"Sexy Boy," Air

"You're the Top," Ella Fitzgerald

 

(Apparently I put my funk compilation on repeat...)

 

Mix CD:

 

Absolutely, I'm a huge music fan and love mix cd projects.

 

Mardi Gras:

 

As a recovering Catholic, Mardi Gras will always hold a special place in my heart. But my natural introversion keeps me from fully enjoying any occasion where the main draw is lots of loud, crowded, drunken revelry. It's just...not my thing.

 

International/cultural things:

 

Yes please!

 

Sewing crafts:

 

This is one I happen to do myself! But I always like handmade stuff, so if sewing is what you do too, I say go for it!

 

WoW:

 

That's my sweetie's distraction, not mine. I'm much more of a Nintendo girl, personally.

 

Do you like candy? What kinds?

 

I love candy, probably too much, especially the Cadbury stuff you can get at World Market. Time Out, Flake, Crunchie, the chocolate bars with whole hazelnuts in them...hoo lordy. Also, peanut butter MnM's. Anything chocolate, really, and you can't go wrong. The only big candy don't for me is black licorice.

 

A Favorite love poem?

 

Gonna have to get back to you on this one as nothing leaps to mind.

 

Would you like one of those Plush Microbes?

 

The mad cow one would be appropriate since I was living in Scotland around the time that whole thing blew up, but it would probably just gather dust.

 

Would you like new nail polish?

 

I already have a sizable collection of nail polishes I don't use, so maybe not.

 

Do you like incense and/or scented candles, and are you able to burn them in your home? If so, what kinds of scents do you like?

 

Scented candles no; incense a big yes. At home I usually burn classic nag champa, or Japanese rosewood or cedarwood.

 

Boxes? For Bpal (bottles and/or imps) or otherwise

 

Imp storage is taken care of but I'm still looking for a good box for my bottles...

 

Would you use a natural sea sponge?

 

Yes, more than likely, as I go to the nearby Korean spa reasonably often.

 

Are you interested in bacon chocolate?

 

I've tried it and it's good, but once was enough, thanks.

 

Coffee, hot chocolate, or tea?

 

Yes to all three. Coffee is usually in the form of a mocha, but I drink plenty of tea and like to indulge in good hot chocolate now and then.

 

Would you like some of my favorite recipes?

 

If you have a knock-em-dead recipe you'd like to share, please do! I especially like making desserts, but I'll try anything once.

 

Would you like posters, pictures, art?

 

I'm open to that idea, as I'm making more of a concerted effort to decorate my walls lately.

 

Would you like soaps? Especially from Paintbox? And ESPECIALLY the Valentines Special Edition Soaps??

 

I don't usually use scented soaps, but I've heard a lot of good things about Paintbox.

 

Your Witch is perusing the wares at a local yard sale...So, what is this unobtainable miracle your Witch found?

 

Heh...studio space for me to have an area where I can set up my letterpress?

 

Do you like salted caramels?

 

I love them so much I made several batches at Christmas to give to friends and family. They were a huge hit and I'll probably make them for my own witchee!

 

Imagine that someone hands you their wallet and sends you into a really good bakery. They have everything, from breads to brownies, cookies to croissants, anything you could imagine, and you're allowed to pick out five things for yourself. What do you pick?

 

1. Maple bar

2. Sfogliatelle pastry

3. Salted caramel chocolate cupcake (a la Cupcake Royale)

4. A loaf of fresh, hot, crusty bread

5. Another maple bar for good measure.

 

It gets asked every round but sockdreams?

 

Hmm, could be interesting, wacky socks are neat. Sock It To Me is especially good for that. Anything taller than knee-high is probably out though, I have chunky legs.

 

Do you like alcoholic beverages? If so, what is your preference (beer, wine, liquor...)?

 

I have yet to find a beer I like. But I have a small wine collection (Italian reds FTW) and I would acquire and drink more single malt scotch if I could justify the expense. Instead I usually default to Maker's Mark on the rocks or a good Manhattan.

 

Are you into steampunk?

 

Sort of (see the RenFair/Con question above).

 

2/2

Would you like or accept an energetically-charged item or gift? Something that had power poured into it? If so, do you have a particular purpose that you'd prefer? (Love, protection, money, etc.)

 

I would accept such a gift if my witch wanted to give it but I wouldn't request it specifically. Health and/or balance would probably be my preferred purpose.

 

Do you have any significant upcoming events in your life you'd like something for? A child/yourself graduating from high school/college? Are you buying a new home or car soon? Moving in with someone/getting married? Taking a new job? Moving to a new part of the country/world?

 

At this point I have no major life-event plans on the horizon. <knocks on wood>