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

[undeadgoat.livejournal.com]

I’m a very fast reader. They tested me in school and I had a way above average reading speed.

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...

[beregondsgirl.livejournal.com]

*scratches her head* I've lived in Wisconsin my whole life... and have never pronounced 'our' "oar". It's "Hour". Or "our". Either way. But then again... I am one of those odd people who try to pronounce things correctly, and yell at people who don't... *shrugs*

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...

Re: Hmmm...

[undeadgoat.livejournal.com]

Everyone European settled here. But there were Norwegians all over the Midwest. And my friends say it's as Wisonsin as "Stoh-tun", even though I've never heard anyone else say it.

Re: Hmmm...

[beregondsgirl.livejournal.com]

*scratches her head* I'm sorry, but I can't figure out what 'Stoh-tun' is, and neither can Mom...

The only things I know of thatare pretty much exclusively Wisconsin things are Cheese Curds (go anywhere else in the united States and they havent got a clue what they are) and Bubblers (though that's more of a regional thing... Water fountains, for those who couldn't figure it out). And the Green Bay Packers, but that's a whole 'nother subject.

Re: Hmmm...

[undeadgoat.livejournal.com]

I think I saw cheese curds outside Wisconsin. Once.

And it's how people from Stoughton say "Stoughton." Not really, but how everyone makes fun of them, more.