Little facts about me

[misscam]

The 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...

Comments

[irian.livejournal.com]

I have a collection of Norweigian folktales. The collection is entitled East of the Sun, West of the Moon. And I've loved that story ever since I read it in the stories section of one of my dad's Book of Knowledge encyclopedias from the 60s. Hehe. It also helps that I love Kay Nielsen's artwork and he illustrsted that story.

The Norwegian title *does* look like it would sound more musical. Now, if only I knew how to pronounce it properly...

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Ah. Norway has happily managed to save a lot of our folktales. Given the rather dramatic nature of Norway (tall mountain, deep fjords, dark forests) it's not that surprising we're very fond of telling tales of trolls and elves and what-not.

Can't really tell you how to pronounce it. Norwegian is slower and more pronounced than English, though. The pace of it is Øst-en-for sol [beat] vest-en-for måne. (The literal meaning would be Eastof sun, westof moon) Not that that helps you much, but... Tis hard to describe pronouncing only in written.

[irian.livejournal.com]

Hee. Norse mythology is interesting because it's one of the few where the gods don't end up victoriously saving the world in the end.

Slow and pronounced? Check. Tagalog pretty much covers that part. Is the "f" pronounced like a "v"? How about the mane (sorry, can't do the accent)? Is it mane like the horse's tail, or mane with a silent "e" (which would make it sound like man).

[misscam.livejournal.com]

That's right. The Norse Gods all die at ragnarok - but the Goddesses live on. That's why I came up with New Asatru, where women rule. Go us!

No, the 'f' is not pronounced like 'v' The 'for' bit is not prounounced that dissimilar from the English 'for'. Slight difference, but you won't be able to pronounce it perfectly anyway (at least without long pratice). Måne is not at all pronounced like 'mane' or 'man'. The 'å' is its own letter. Norwegian has three extra letters in the alphabet and they have their own sound. It's a bit like... well, you know how you say 'oh!' when you're surprised at something. If you take the 'h' out of that sound, you're pretty close to 'å'. And you do pronounce the 'e'. Mån-e. Ø is a bit like how the 'u' sound of 'must' is, at least the way I pronounce it.

Gah, this is hard to explain. Which I knew how to phonetics... But wait... I know of some sites that might help you if you really want to know.

http://employees.csbsju.edu/tnichol/norwegian.html (Got links to various places)
http://frodo.bruderhof.com/norskklassen/uttale.htm

They can probably explain some if better than I can.

[irian.livejournal.com]

Hehe. Linguistics is one area of study that actually interests me, but I can't make any progress there because I have to work and make scads of money because that's what Chinese people do. I hate stereotypes sometimes.

Hmmm. Maybe someday when I'm rich enough to satisfy the parents I can pick up where I left off.

If that "a" sounds the way I think you're describing it, then I think that the Tagalog pronunciation of the letter "o" should be close enough. Hee. I have to try to associate Norwegian pronunciation to a language other than English so it'll be easier to learn, and I don't think that Chinese will be any help...

[misscam.livejournal.com]

No, Chinese is not really any help. If you know how German sounds that might be a start, though. The languages are related.

But at least if you work and makes lots of money you will have lots of money. I mean, lots of money is good. Sure, might take you a while to get to enjoy it, but there's still much fun you can have with lots of money.

[irian.livejournal.com]

Oh well. Time to start learning German then. The only things about German that I know are that the "w"s are pronounced as "v"s and that the "aue" sounds like "ye" with a short, breathy e.

Here's to hoping that I get rich someday then. Lol.