Little facts about me
Mar. 29th, 2004 10:49 pmThe nickname ‘Cam’ came about because one of my Norwegian penpals was lazy and didn’t want to type put my full name every time she sent me a letter.
I didn’t get the Internet till I was 18, which I still thank the Nordic Gods for. I was into X-Files when I was younger, and I used to write really, really crappy XF fanfic. Seriously. Thankfully, most of it is in Norwegian and was only seen by a few select people. I still keep it to remind myself it usually takes a while to get good at something.
I’ve been to Babylon 5 conventions.
When I was 16, I was convinced I had become Christian. I was wrong.
I’m allergic to nickel, but that’s the only allergy I know of. I was a fairly healthy child growing up, but I was very weird about what food I’d eat. I still don’t eat boiled or fried eggs, but oddly enough, I like omelettes. I hate hamburgers and don’t like tomatoes, but I will have ketchup on my hot dogs.
I like to start new projects, but I tend to get bored with things after a while and be tempted to start a new project again. Probably why it takes me a while to finish fanfics.
The idea for OFUM was born while I was beta-ing a rather infamous Mary Sue story called My Inner Life.
OFUM is probably what most people know me for, but I’m always much happier when I get asked about some of the other stuff I do/write.
It’s not unusual to find me relaxing in a chair somewhere and do nothing but think. I don’t really pay much attention to my surroundings while doing this, so getting my attention at such times usually requires yelling.
I have an irrational fear of sticking my head under water, which is probably due to an accident in a bathtub when I was about three. I apparently hit my head and went under. I love the sea and love swimming, but it takes a great deal of willpower for me to put my head under water and not panic.
I don’t always tell people I’m angry with them, which can be a bit of a drawback for the person I’m angry at.
I genuinely like to be asked for advice, as it’s usually a sign someone finds me helpful.
Like most Norwegians, if you show a *genuine* interest in my tiny, unimportant country, I will adore you. Faked interest will not impress me, however.
I’m fickle. Getting my attention is a lot easier than keeping it.
When it comes to people, I like frank speech a lot more than I like hints and vague phrases that can mean anything. If you got something to say, say it or shut up. I try to live by this myself. Silence can therefore mean a lot of different things with me.
I like sports. Particulary football (that’s soccer to you Americans), athletics, cross country skiing, ski jumping and biathlon.
I’m a very fast reader. They tested me in school and I had a way above average reading speed.
Although I use British English spelling, my accent is actually slightly American. Most people who meet me in real life, assume I’m American unless they know me or I correct them. Even Americans think I’m American – apparently I sound like I’m from one of the northern states. One guy once swore I came from North Dakota. I’ve tried to shake the accent, but no luck so far.
Complimenting me on my English is always a winner with me. I’ve worked very hard on it and thus am pleased if it shows.
My special sandwich is melted cheese and salami or smoked beef on white bread. I usually make this at least a few times a week. Has to be Norwegian cheese, of course. The type of bread tends to vary.
I don’t like to ask for anything. When I have to, I usually have to force myself and feel iffy about it both before and after. On the other hand, I never mind being asked for favours, as long as it’s phrased politely.
I love little unexpected gestures of kindness in everyday life – little things like being given a muffin on a Saturday just because.
I like to mock-insult people. It’s usually a very good sign if I bother with you. Eleborate insults if for me a thing of fun. Blame it on too much Blackadder.
I burned my little finger on my right hand today while making one of my special sandwiches and I cursed in five different languages. Now the finger is all plastered up and I can't bend it. Poor little finger...
Never knew ye till now.
Date: 2004-03-29 02:10 pm (UTC)Hmm, in any case. I can't agree with one thing about your life...cheese. the ULTIMATE cheese is Dutch Edam and Gouda..though Gouda tastes icky when melted, it is divine as a slice on a sunny spring day...mmm. Edam I'd use for cheese tosties. I'm sorry, but Dutch Cheese rules.
Anyhow, your English is better than mine and I am English born. Call yourself a marvel I think...and cursing in 5 different languages?? Ok, there is NO way I can ever match up to that.
It's strange how little we all know about you. About 95% of all this was definate new news. Go figure, we always forget the great ones are actually human too *slaps forehead* almost as bad as creating shrines to previously unknown drama students from Guildhall.
Heh. One more thing...ever thinking of going to Holland's Elf Fantasy Fair this year summer? Am leaving that open for you...you'd need a costume.
~Vana E~
Re: Never knew ye till now.
Date: 2004-03-29 02:35 pm (UTC)Edam is all right, but not as good as Jarlsberg and Norvegia. And certainly not melted. Mmm. Now I'm hungry, drat it.
In all fairness, I only speak three of the five languages I cursed in (Norwegian, English & French). The other two (German & Spanish) I just know a bit of, and among that, cursewords.
Um, why would I go to Holland's Elf Fantasy Fair? I've never heard of it and I'm not Ductch. Don't particulary look much like an Elf either. I'm not tall and I have a bit too much hips and breats for that slender Elf look, me thinks.
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Date: 2004-03-29 02:36 pm (UTC)Edam is all right, but not as good as Jarlsberg and Norvegia. And certainly not melted. Mmm. Now I'm hungry, drat it.
In all fairness, I only speak three of the five languages I cursed in (Norwegian, English & French). The other two (German & Spanish) I just know a bit of, and among that, cursewords.
Um, why would I go to Holland's Elf Fantasy Fair? I've never heard of it and I'm not Dutch. Don't particulary look much like an Elf either. I'm not tall and I have a bit too much hips and breats for that slender Elf look, me thinks.
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Date: 2004-03-29 02:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-29 02:25 pm (UTC)I gotta know - what inspired that one? (Good movie!)
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Date: 2004-03-29 02:30 pm (UTC)Dressed as Harry Potter. And I'll act really confused and lost.
Norway is too fecking cold. Absolutely lovely, but cold. Why can't it be more to the south? Then I could come and see the pretty fjords and waterfalls in Western Norway sometime other than mid-summer. I don't know how you can people can survive.
And you stole my ideal sandwich!
Sort of.
...Well, if the salami were pepperoni, anyway.
But close enough!
Aren't cheese melts good? {goes off to make one}
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Date: 2004-03-29 02:47 pm (UTC)And anyway, if it's cold, you put on warm clothes. Geez. It's not like you have to go out nude. *shakes head*
I was 17 and 18 when I went to B5 cons. Great fun. Got hit on a lot too. ;) Wouldn't mind doing a LotR con, actually. Would be fun.
Never knew dat....
Date: 2004-03-29 03:45 pm (UTC)Re: Never knew dat....
Date: 2004-03-29 04:18 pm (UTC)Mmm. The French sure know their food... Mmm, crepes...
Chop the finger off.
Date: 2004-03-29 11:16 pm (UTC)I'm a fickle person, too, but I tend to obsess over something. Woe to anyone who is on the recieving end of my obsessions, as they (the obsession, not the person) can drag on for several years. Might be a good thing in a relationsip, but then again, I'm fickle...!
I am also a fast reader, check.
I like Blackadder, too. Check.
I have never tried Norwegian cheese, but I have tried sheep cheese.
I like soccer, check...I sucketh at it, though.
I like frank people. I'm not afraid of being under water, unless there are big waves. Check check.
I have NEVER been to a B5 convention, blast it!
I zone out easily, check.
I'm a very, very, VERY strange Christian. I like hard wooden benches at church, for example.
I think I have Norwegian great-great grandparents. Last name is Lundberg, so go figure. Or maybe it was Swedish, but I think not...
I have no clue why I just wrote that. I'll go bug myself now.
Re: Chop the finger off.
Date: 2004-03-30 05:07 am (UTC)Lundberg sounds more Swedish than Norwegian, though. But of course, there's been plenty of crossing of borders up through the years. I myself have a bit of Swede in me on my father's side. We mix and match a bit over here, you might say.
I can tell you what that last name means if it is Norwegian -'lund' means 'grove' and 'berg' is a small mountain, or a rocky hill.
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Date: 2004-03-30 05:01 am (UTC)Needless to say, I was quite pleasantly surprised to find out that it wasn't your native language. Kudos!
On another thought, I have just realized that I know NOTHING about Norway...*thinks about this* I suppose I'll just have to break out the Social Studies book...If that fails...TO THE INTERNET! ;-)
~Rosie
Re: English, and my lack of knowledge about Norway...
Date: 2004-03-30 05:19 am (UTC)Know nothing of Norway, hmm? Now you hurt my poor dwiddle feelings - don't you know Norway is the centre of the Universe? I'm hurt I tell you, hurt! *slinks away to sulk*
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Date: 2004-03-30 07:42 am (UTC)Well, why not?
hS
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Date: 2004-03-30 02:31 pm (UTC)Re: Hmm.
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Date: 2004-03-30 08:17 am (UTC)Who can love Blackadder and not have been British in a previous life?
Well...a lot of people...but whatever.
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Date: 2004-03-30 02:33 pm (UTC)(If you don't get it, that's an whole other matter.)
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Date: 2004-03-30 08:26 am (UTC)Hee. I'm like that too.
Like most Norwegians, if you show a *genuine* interest in my tiny, unimportant country, I will adore you. Faked interest will not impress me, however.
Um, isn't East of the Sun, West of the Moon a folktale from Norway? Hehe.
Your English is excellent. I didn't even know that you were Norwegian until I discovered your LJ and you said so there.
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Date: 2004-03-30 02:37 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2004-03-30 01:21 pm (UTC)If it can appease you, I am interested in Norway. It seems like the ideal place to move once I'm eighteen and can escape from this place. Of course, I'd have to learn Norwegian, but that can be arranged.
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Date: 2004-03-30 02:43 pm (UTC)Norway is a good place to live. Our living standard is high andour country peaceful. Some might find us dull, but hey, nothing's perfect. The most exciting thing to happen today was... *thinks* oh yes, we may have a strike on Thursday. There's always a strike of some kind during spring - I guess it spices Norwegian life up.
Right-O!
Date: 2004-03-30 02:16 pm (UTC)Re: Right-O!
Date: 2004-03-30 02:47 pm (UTC)'Realise' is much prettier than 'realize', anyway. Your English teacher American since she/he yells at you? Silly person not to love the British spelling - it's originally from England anyway. That's why it's called *English*.
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Date: 2004-03-31 12:35 pm (UTC)British spellings tend to be *prettier* than American. But someone didn't *like* that. (I think Noah Webster... could be wrong, though) So, all of us poor Americans had to grow up with ugly words. :P Pity us.
Re: Go British Spelling!
Date: 2004-04-01 06:28 am (UTC)In Norway, we also had someone who didn't like how we spoke (we'd been in a Union with Denmark, so our writing ways had moved closer to Danish) and decided to make a whole new version of Norwegian. 'New Norwegian' or nynorsk still lives today, so we have to learn two versions of Norwegian at school. Now there's a reason to pity. At least you can choose a version of English - and they're not that different. We have to bloody well learn two version.
Can you tell I hated learning nynorsk with a passion?
Stupid language-inventing people.
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Date: 2004-04-02 07:37 pm (UTC)Same here . . . my classmates say I read freakishly fast. And when I'm re-reading something for the gajillionth time, I can just glance down the page and be actually reading. It scares people watching me, apparently.
Although I use British English spelling, my accent is actually slightly American. Most people who meet me in real life, assume I’m American unless they know me or I correct them. Even Americans think I’m American – apparently I sound like I’m from one of the northern states. One guy once swore I came from North Dakota. I’ve tried to shake the accent, but no luck so far.
What Americans think of as a Wisconsin/Minnesota/Dakotas accent is actually what we would think of as a slight Scandanavian accent. Minesota especially, but also Wisconsin and the Dakotas, were settled by the Norwegians, and as the Midwest is very sedentary, there's echoes of the accent down the years. I've even picked some of it up, though I learned to talk in New York. But most of my talking has been done in Wisconsin, so . . . yes. (Who knew that pronouncing our "oar" instead of "hour" or "are" branded you as a "stereotypical Scandanavian-accented Wisconsin-person"?)
Complimenting me on my English is always a winner with me. I’ve worked very hard on it and thus am pleased if it shows.
I never know when I can compliment people on their English. When I complimented Giulia on her English, she told me that her (Polish) mom was an English teacher. So she grew up with a mom speaking Polish and English to her in Italy . . . Ever since then, I've tried to be more cautious. But your English is very good. I was quite surprised when I found out that you weren't a native speaker.
Hmmm...
Date: 2004-04-03 03:51 pm (UTC)And I did not know that Wisconsin was settled by the Norwegians...interesting fact. Must make a note. I knew the Dutch settled here, I guess it kind of follows that other people from that area of the world would settle here, too. I feel kind of dumb now...
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Date: 2004-04-10 01:29 pm (UTC)But still, since most of my comments before were contradictory, I feel the need to suck up a little bit, because I want to join your minion and help you to rule the world.
But seriously, I really wanted to compliment you on on your english. I would never believed that it's not your native language. And cursing in 5 languages is very impressive :) I know only 4. Russian and Ukrainian are almost the same, and the curses there too rude. Hebrew just not imaginative enough (with it being dead for 2000 years it's expected), which leave me only with english. So far it's good enough for me.
I'm not big into fanfic, especially since I've been scarred by some of them very deeply. Actually, the place where I found OFUM, held entire collection of such stories, that reading synopses alone caused my eyes to bleed. But if I find some good author I usually read their other stories as well. And I really enjoyed some of your LoTR fics. I'm not a big fan of slash, so I put it aside temporarily, but the rest were powerful.
I had to go see RotK again after reading Rising Star, Falling Darkness, to assure myself that ring was indeed destroyed.
Until the End of Days while being very sad, had also very beautiful idea in the core. Thank you for creating really good fiction.
On a side note, I was thinking about Robert Jordan Wheel of Time today, and how he made it too long. It would be so nice if he would end it with book ten, because ten is nice round number. The next thought that jump into my mind was 'But nine is the number'. Elrond would be proud for spreading his mantra. I didn't attend OFUM and it still grilled into to me :).
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Date: 2004-04-10 04:51 pm (UTC)I'm glad you enjoy my fanfic even if you didn't read the slash :P
And of course, my ranks of minions are open to all who wish to join in my future take-over off the world. Looking menacing is an advantage, but not required.
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