fightingthecage | Get six gamblers to carry my coffin

Memes! Two set of answers from the Interview meme, and one that i was tagged for.

First set from

newredshoes

1) What is it about 24 that makes it so worth loving?

Jack Bauer. He's what makes it compelling. Not ~~just~~ because he's hot etc, because - here's a man who is shoved into the most difficult situations imaginable, under the worst conditions and it's amazing to see how he works things out under duress. He's a hero, but flawed - he makes decisions that get people killed, he does things that most other people couldn't stomach but instead of shows that have the hero as uncaring or too tough to care about what he does - Jack wrestles with his conscience constantly, he makes personal sacrifies and he's generally the ultimate loser in the situation. He gives everything for the country and they use and abuse him but his morals won't let him walk away. It's not every show that has their lead character breaking down over things they've done but still able to keep on going.

Plus, it raises interesting questions about what's acceptable for the greater good, and the sacrifices some people make to keep civilians safe. I also like the political angle, where nothing is clear-cut and even the most powerful stand to lose everything if they give in to demands/temptation/corruption etc.

Yeah, it's a really great show. I love it.

2) What would be your dream vacation in the United States?

Rrr, tough one. I used to dream of road trips and Greyhound buses, and I've done those now. Used ot want to live in NYC and L.A and I've done that too...and it's hard, because I don't usually do 'vacations' which are short and involve sightseeing etc. But if we're talking about a two-week trip or something, then I guess...white water rafting on the Colorado river, preferably through the Grand Canyon. If I remember rightly, that is something that's available. Either that or a few weeks skiing in Mammoth, CA.

3) Have you read His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman? If so, what would be your daemon? If you haven't, why on earth haven't you?

I haven't! I hadn't heard about them until a couple of months ago, when Ven told me about them. But I've heard good things since, so I definitly intend to check them out when I get cash I can spend on books again.

4) Who would play you in a movie about your life?

...God, hard one. Umm...would have to be someone capable of portraying some dark stuff in a subtle way. Ideally, I'd play myself. *g* But if we're going with someone famous...Christina Ricci comes to mind as someone who could do it, though we look nothing alike and she'd have to look a bit older.

5) Tell me a funny story about your childhood.

Sorry, I'm coming up blank on this one. I was a pretty shy kid and I'm too tired right now to recall that far back. *g*

Second set from

lonely_streets

1. What book has impacted you the most?

*eyes question* Just one? Damn, that's a toughie. There have been lots, for many different reasons. I'm staring at my bookshelves and seeing heaps that have impacted me in some way. So I guess I have to go right back to the beginning, and say the first book I ever got - a beautifully illustrated, large, hardback copy of The Wind in the Willows. I still have it now - and it was the first story I got, when I was three, that made me see how exciting books and stories could be. After that, I never stopped reading - so it impacted me strongly because it opened up the world of literature for me at a very young age. Because of that book, I could read long before I went to school and it started my love of the written word.

2. If you had to listen to one song, over and over, for all of eternity, what song would you choose?

Ack! Impossible question! Even my favourite songs would get old if it was the only one I could listen to - that said, I've never got bored of 'The Show Must Go On' by Queen. Mainly because it breaks me to listen to, so I don't very much - but it's so beautiful and I love the band so much, it would probably be that.

And just to cheat a bit, I might well have chosen a piece of classical music because there would be no words to get bored of and in that case, it would be 'Air on a G String' composed by Bach.

3. What's the stupidest band name you've ever heard of?

A couple of guys a few years older than me had a band called Alligator Stew. Good band, but I always remember thinking how much the name sucked.

4. If you could plan a season of 24, what would happen?

Strangely, the season I wanted to happen sort of just did, only in a more watered-down version. I always wanted one where Jack had to go against the Government and involving a) the Army and b) an old comrade of his. I wanted them to put him up against someone he served with in the Army, like a mentor - and et voila, I got Henderson. And martial law and a corrupt President. So I'm happy. :)

But now, I'd like to see one with Jack truly on his own. No CTU back-up, no friends. And...he'd be even disillusioned than he is now. I realise this isn't really answering the question but it's hard to think about because I might well get what I want in S6, by the look of things. So...gah, sorry. I just don't know any more.

5. If you were on Fear Factor, what's the worst thing you could think of that they could ask you to do?

Fear Factor? Uhhh, is that like where you have to do really gross things to try and win money? I've never watched it, so I'm not sure. But if it is, then...probably if they asked me to eat something really disgusting, like fish guts or similar (they did that on Big Brother here a couple of years ago, ugh). I can do gross things (you haven't lived until you've pulled an octopus' brains out) but if I was asked to eat shit like that? I'd barf.

And, I was tagged by

arabwel for this one

Name ten of life's simple pleasures that you like most, then pick ten people to do the same. Try to be original and creative and not to use things that someone else has already used.

1. Lying in bed comfortably for a few minutes before going to sleep, with no worries or cares and just being able to think happily about things before dropping off.

2. The feeling of finishing a piece of writing and knowing that it just works.

3. Going into my kitchen and, for once, being spoiled for choice as to what to eat for dinner.

4. A hot cup of tea in a room with an open fire, watching a rugby match on TV when it's cold and raining outside.

5. The adrenaline rush after exercise.

6. Training in the dojo and spontaneously, without thinking, taking someone down. Because then you know you can do it automatically if someone attacks in the street.

7. The feeling at the start of a trip, when the possibilites are endless and anything could happen.

8. A song coming on to my playlist that I forgot I had and just being blown away by it all over again.

9. A character in a book or show that can make me cry with an expression or a few words.

10. The way my housemate's dogs get excited to see me, every single day.