Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Interested?

Ok, so I'm taking a brief departure from my usual ramblings to ask a question of you all today. (It'll be both fun and educational, don't worry)!

Not ten days ago, my lovely cousins came to visit. They're great fun, hailing from beach/party/goose-town (i.e Sydney, NSW. I don't know how the goose comes into it) and during the three days they were here we hung out more than we have in a long time.

It was during this stay that I realised how much I didn't know about them. It turns out my cousin and I are remarkably similar, but I never knew it until now. Not to say I'm as intelligent as she is, I don't think that's true - she's really very clever - but in terms of interests we seem to align startlingly.

So! In the spirit of getting to know people better, I want to ask a question, and thou must answer to the best of thine abilities! Simply write the 5 things that interest you strongly, and why. No essay required, just a few words.

To get the ball rolling, here's 5 of mine:

History. I missed it at school as I swapped twice. I've been trying to learn what I missed back then, and have found I really love history. I feel that stories are intrinsically human, we have - and will always have - a strong connection with them, and history is one great big, impossibly complex, rather gruesome but sometimes also very beautiful story which tells us so much about who we are now.

Archaeology. They kinda go hand in hand. ;) But more than an interest in just the impressive, colossal pyramids or ancient cities, I love the small things too, I love the thought of piecing stories together from all types of discoveries, from pottery shards in river beds, to spearheads in the desert. I'm always impressed at how those in the field can read so much from things so small. Be it European, Middle-Eastern, or Meso-American, 90% of the time, it works every time for me.

Languages. This is kind of a common one, but if I could, I'd spend the next twenty years just studying them. Unfortunately I have a rather dissuading problem with retention, but am still fascinated by not just learning the languages themselves, but how they work and their roots. The way they develop is just as interesting to me as how to speak them. Unknown or lesser known languages really attract my attention too, something about the mystery I think.

Writing. Ah, the ever-obvious addition to the list. Of course, writing is up there with the love of entertaining. Favourite genres are probably drama/fantasy, but enough has been said about that by me already!

Music. Another obvious one. I know these are quite broad too, but yes, music is pretty amazing. Not just listening to it, but also the whole psychology aspect. I know that more than once I've fallen prey to the dreaded 'music brain' while writing! Singing also falls under this category - like I said, it's pretty broad! Favourite genres here are exotica, punk-rock, pop-punk/rock/alternate, classical and soundtracks.

There you have it! Your replies can be more specific if you wish, so don't be afraid to tell the world about your secret desire to study Hippopotamus droppings if that's what floats your boat!

In the voice of a slimy English aristocrat: I look forward to discovering more about you...

Jimzip

6 thoughts are now mine:

Luke Davidson said...

Hmm, 5 things I'm strongly interested in. Not sure I'm doing this right, but here goes:

Sex: If anyone says they're not strongly interested in it, I say: Liiiieeeeeeeesssss.

People: I generally find people fascinating.

Sharing obsessions: I get easily excited by things. Which is why depending on who you talk to they'll either tell you I'm obsessed with Star wars, harry potter, buffy, football, blogs, some random guy, writing, videogames or whatever other thing I've forced onto them lately. If you're obsessed about a lot of things, that's being well-balanced, right?

Stories: I love reading/watching/hearing all types of stories. Also love creating them in my head – I enjoy that aspect much more than the actual process of writing, which I can find frustrating.

Competitive games/theme parks: 'Cause both are uber fun. :)

Jimzip said...

Hehehe. No no, that's perfect, but darnit! I totally should have added something more gritty to my list! This could get M-rated fast. X)

Now enjoy this new (possibly fake) harry potter trailer! http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/entertainment/watch/v189772899wcYfAjS (Ignore the porn ... it's just there to throw you off!)

Jimzip :D

Dale said...

Hmmm... *collects thoughts*

1. Books (fictional): for the epic adventures they take me on and the unique characters they introduce me to.

2. Those rare songs that really strike a chord with you and elicit intense emotion.

3. Philosophy (something I haven't really looked into very much yet) and free-thinking - who knows if I'll stumble across the meaning of life one day in my musings. :)

4. Social dynamics: watching people interact is almost as interesting to me as participating in the interaction.

5. Learning. As much as I can about everything I can over my lifetime!

...That'll do I guess. :) Good question though, really had to think about that for a while.

Tim Mc said...

Youd would ask something like this. Very pertinent :-)

1. History, specifically english/Scottish/French. High times were had from 2000 years ago, and a lot of it was very well documented. There is so much to read on it infact i dont think il eve be in danger of running out.

2. Battles. Not so much the gruesome details, although they are fascinating in a macabre way (perfect example: Vlad the Impaler captured and impaled over 20,000 men at one stage on 20ft stakes.) But from ancient Egypt to WW2 the worlds biggest leaps in techknology have been through war.

3.Cuban/latin music. Yes.

4.Fantasy - i realise im borrowing from Dale, but iv read entire nights away when im engrossed in a great book.

5.Travelling. I will never stop travelling, Europe next year, South America next. Ties in with the history thing.

Tim Mc said...

Look, im going to add cars to that. I have a Love of old MG's and Morgans and Jags BMW's and for many and various reasons just cars in general.

D_DAWG said...

Quite the interesting request. ;)

New Experiences/Travel & roughing it up : There is little I find more exciting and refreshing than a new journey.

Computers/Technology & Inventing : Allow us the freedom and power to create and communicate well beyond anything we were probably ever meant to achieve. Everything from concepts products to The incredible potential of computers and technology, the only thing that limits us is our creativity.

Psychology : My dads illness was probably a big contributing factor to this one. But i've always been fascinated in people and the relationship between brain, body and perception. The connection between consciousness and sub-consciousness and their very separate levels of intelligence / knowledge
both perplexes and fascinates.

Sex .. refer to Luke 1.1

Food/alcohol/mates : = makes me happy and excitable

This clip Watch It Here


Too embarrased to post :

Actual real love - pretty darn intoxicating stuff

Singing to music - The greatest.



Blogger Template by Jimzip