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

Go British Spelling!

[beregondsgirl.livejournal.com]

Now, if only Microsoft Word would recognise it BEFORE I have to add it to the custom dictionary.

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!

[misscam.livejournal.com]

*pats* There, there. Have some Norwegian chocolate.

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.

Re: Go British Spelling!

[elenculda.livejournal.com]

Ergh! How terrible!

I've learnt several Romance languages, and because they have many cognates, I've found myself trying to use a French word when speaking Spanish, or vice versa. That can be frustrating.

But having to learn two different modes of a single language at once...indeed, that is much more difficult. Kudos to you for enduring that particular ordeal!

Oh, and to this thread's creator, I support BritEnglish to the death. *waves banner*

Re: Go British Spelling!

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Edured it, yes. Excelled at it? Noooo. I can say, with pride, that my grade in 'nynorsk' was the worst of all my grades. I passed it, and that was it. If I didn't need to pass it to graduate, believe me when I said I would have flunked it with pleasure *and* pride. One version of my language is enough, thank you. I'd much rather spend the time learning a bit of Ancient Norse or maybe Sami -you know, something *interesting*, not the thrills of nynorsk and how in the version I use it's 'katter' but in nynorsk it's 'kattar'. Oh yay...

Re: Go British Spelling!

[undeadgoat.livejournal.com]

You can mark it as British English. I beta for an Australian girl, and I don't necessarily want to add her spellings as my dad works at home and doesn't need a spellchecker with multiple spellings, so I learned how to mark text pretty quick. And I also type some things for Spanish class, so yeah. But what you do is go Tools: Language: Set Language. Then click "English (England)", but do this while you've got the word selected, or else you'll mark the whole thing, and the few American spellings you wnt to keep will be marked as wrong, and . . . yes.

Re: Go British Spelling!

[beregondsgirl.livejournal.com]

Erm... okay. *there goes my status as one of the more computer literate people I know...* I didn't think of that. I shall have to try that. Thank you.