_likimeya's Five Questions meme

[anteros_lmc]

So, _likimeya asked me the following questions.

1. What is the best thing about Glasgow (aside from the obvious: zombies)?

Glaswegians! Okay, they're not always distinguishable from zombies, but for sheer character and friendliness, Glaswegians are unsurpassed. Also art, architecture and parks. Apparently Glasgow has more communal green space than any other city in Europe, and it certainly lives up to it's original Gaelic name which is usually translated as "The Dear Green Place."

2. What skill(s) do you wish you had or would you like to learn?

I would like to be able to sing. Sadly I am cursed with a good ear from music and a terrible voice, so I know exactly just how out of tune I am! :}

3. Aside from people you’ve known personally, what have been the biggest influences/eye openers in your life?

Oh heck, that's a really, really difficult question. I've been struggling to think of an answer to this all week. Discovering fandom has certainly been a real eye opener for me and there's no denying the very positive influence that fangirls have had on my life over the last couple of years. That might sound corny, but it's true!

4. What do you miss?

Job security and investment in higher education.

5. Have you ever had an interest for which you have the same passion as you do for Naval History, Hornblower &cet.? Or if not, what comes closest? (Apart from archaeology. A free-time activity. :))

Yes, dance, specifically contemporary dance and tango. I did a lot of contemporary dance in my thirties and danced semi-professionally for a while. Sadly I had to stop when I broke a rib and work travel started to take up more and more of my time. I've danced tango socially for over ten years and have danced in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Granada, Boston, Christchurch and Melbourne. I also met my partner dancing tango and he still runs a weekly tango club. I've had to give up mid-week tango dancing since my daughter started school but I still try to get our for special events like the Christmas ball. I haven't hung up my heels yet!

Comments

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

Fandom is a real eye opener, isn't it? :-)

Are you Glaswegian yourself or did you move there? I've just realised that I don't know that. (And you seem far too refined to fit the image one has of Glaswegians, you know! ;-) )

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Fandom is a real eye opener, isn't it? :-)
It certainly is! I had no idea that fandom even existed until I stumbled across Hornblower fandom at the end of 2009. Admittedly some fandoms are just bloody weird but, by and large, most are things of wonder :)

Are you Glaswegian yourself or did you move there?
I was born and brought up in the Outer Hebrides. Like many islanders I came to Glasgow to go to university and never left! I've been here for almost 30 years now and I have to say, I love the place.

you seem far too refined to fit the image one has of Glaswegians, you know!
*dies laughing* You'd better not let esmerelda_t hear you saying that! XD

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

Oh, I should have remembered you're from the Outer Hebrides, how very stupid of me. It's, um... the drink. There's no other explanation.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Drink is always the best explanation :)

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

Has anyone seen my opera glasses?

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Trying to get a better view of the full frontal nudity? Hmn?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_likimeya/]

I didn't know dancing was such a serious thing for you! Did you win a lot of awards? :D Pretty golden dancer statuettes?? :D

If I hadn't stumbled into fandom 11 years ago, my life and my personality would be vastly different from how they are today. It was quite formative time at which fandom found me. :)

I can't sing, either. And the worst thing about it is that I've honestly never met anybody who sounds quite as horrible as I do. It's really humiliating. :(
Can I persuade you to tape yourself next time you take a shower??

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I didn't know dancing was such a serious thing for you! Did you win a lot of awards?
I danced in my teens, then stopped when I came to university and took it up again in my thirties. No awards, though I've performed often enough, I've never entered a competition. I find the idea of competitive dance really odd!

If I hadn't stumbled into fandom 11 years ago, my life and my personality would be vastly different from how they are today.
It took me ages to think of an answer to that question, and then I realised it was staring me in the face! How could it be anything other than fandom?! :)

Can I persuade you to tape yourself next time you take a shower??
Ha! I am so bad I don't even sing in the shower XD When all is said and done, I'd rather be able to dance than sing!

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

I am the same way-- cannot sing at all! (I sing when I am alone sometimes, and to babies-- babies don't care.)

When I was a kid I thought singing was something that only a few people could do. I was very discouraged when I realized most people can do it.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

When I was a kid I thought singing was something that only a few people could do.
Lots of people sing where I come from. There was a big emphasis on competitive singing when I was in school. I still think competitive singing is bizarre. Especially for children. If you're going to sing shouldn't you just do it for joy? Or cash ;)

I was very discouraged when I realized most people can do it.
I come from a long line of non-singers. None of my family could sing but we were all good dancers :) I've danced in a couple of musical performances where I just mimed the words! I even got complemented on my "singing" after one performance XD

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

I think I have written several times about Horatio doing the moving mouth thing. He likes it because he can listen to Archie! I picture Archie as singing in a matter-of-fact way, as if anyone can do it. His voice is not particularly amazing, it is just his.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I picture Archie as singing in a matter-of-fact way, as if anyone can do it. His voice is not particularly amazing, it is just his.
Yes, I can see that :)

I've always wondered about CS Forester's feelings about music. He makes such a big deal about Hornblower being tone deaf and loathing music with a passion.

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

I'm disappointed you didn't reply deep fried mars bars was the best thing about Glasgow. :P

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Deep fried mars bars? How uncouth. Deep fried haggis is the only way to go :P

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

I imagine a person would be very full if they had both. They might get nightmares!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

The very thought is enough to give me nightmares!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Belly dancing is fabulous! I did try it once but alas I wasn't very good :} The rest of the family do more dancing than I do these days, daughter does Highland and partner still dances tango a couple of times a month.

[kittycallum.livejournal.com]

Despite having spent so short a time in Glasgow, I can definitely agree it had gorgeous architecture! And if Glaswegians includes anyone living in the city, then yes, they are great people! :)

Ooh, tango sounds like great fun -- it's such an absorbing dance to watch, I can only imagine how it must be to actually do!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Tango is a very absorbing dance. It's entirely improvised so you have to really concentrate on what your partner is doing. As a follower, I found one of the hardest things to learn was never to preempt my leader. Once you get the hang of it, it's amazing though, there's nothing quite like that connection.

[katriona-s.livejournal.com]

Very interesting. I've never been good at physical activity all my life so I really envy you about your passion for dance. You can dance, and also can study and write... this combination seems to be really wonderful...