Birde tagged me on both of these, so I'm posting both in one journal, but I'm not tagging anyone else. Sorry, but I never considered dA the best place for tags and surveys unless they are art related.

8 (new) WEIRD FACTS

1. In order to stay on task when I’m working on a novel and not get sidetracked by fanfiction or another project, I have a color code using nail polish. Each of my major projects has a color of dark nail polish that I wear when I’m working on it. Part of the reason it helps me stay on track is because I like watching my fingers tap across the keyboard. The dark colors stand out so they catch my attention and remind me of what I am supposed to be working on. Right now, I have blue for “The Mariner Sequence” (because of the connection with the ocean and naval uniforms), purple for “Astral Rain” (because it matches the hair color of one of the characters), and green for “Moon’s Fire/Moon’s Water” (because the main character, Kira, has green eyes).

2. When my eyes start hurting and I get a headache, from watching too much TV, staring at a computer screen too long, or from simple stress, I can make the headache go away by reading a book.

3. I am far more honest in writing then I am in person, especially with touchy, delicate, or complicated issues. There are many things that I will discuss in writing or online that I would never bring up or answer honestly face to face, or even on the phone. I just feel safer with a layer of distance between me and the person I’m talking to, since it allows me time to collect and structure my thoughts coherently.

4. When I talk to strangers or authority figures, my voice gets high and soft so I sound a lot younger than I actually am. When I’m being sarcastic or annoyed, my voice gets really low, and when I’m around friends…well, it can jump around somewhere in the mezzo range, depending on the topic of discussion and who I’m with.

5. I have only been in the hospital twice in my life: when I was born, and when I had scarlet fever and strep throat at the same time (and even then, it was only for one night.)

6. I might have developed seasonal affective disorder [link] , also called “writer’s depression,” over the past few years, but since I am extremely skeptical of this mental disorders and diseases because of the prevalent diagnoses (and subsequent medication), I am hesitant to claim that I have a mental disorder when chances are there’s a natural biological reason for feeling down in the winter and happier in the summer.

7. I have a rim of gold around the pupils of my eyes, which is supposed to signify having the Second Sight.

8. I am related to chicken thieves on my mother’s side of the family, and to German gun-makers on my dad’s side.

~*~

::THE FIVE THINGS TAG::

5 things found in my bag: (I'm also gonna go with "fanny pack" here, since I don't carry a purse anymore either.)

- wallet
- check book
- pad of paper
- pens
- matches

5 things found in my wallet:

- driver’s license
- every student ID that I ever got
- fortunes from every fortune cookie I’ve opened in the past five years
- cards from businesses, like the May Flower and Tom Keefer’s Auto Repair
- occasionally money

5 favorite things in my room:

- my sofa
- my computer with all it’s delicious goodies
- my 7 bookcases packed with books
- my TV
- my swords

5 things I've always wanted to do:

- publish my books (not there yet.....)
- visit Japan, New Zealand, Ireland, and the castles of Europe (no money! *weeps*)
- become self-sufficient and independent (kinda there with moving out and having a trailer.)
- become a healthy, confident lady (heh, major setbacks in that department)
- learn dancing, horseback riding, fencing, and how to play instruments (no actual lessons yet, but I want to)

5 things I'm currently into:

- Pride and Prejudice (I’ve actually got a fanfic going on in my head…*sigh*)
- Law & Order, both Criminal Intent and SVU
- books about or from Japan
- kimonos
- Clint Eastwood

List the top 5 presents you wish for:

- a massive fortune
- an external hard drive that my computer won’t hate
- an iPod
- instant college degree, no more school! (I agree, I like that one!)
- a Border’s gift card

The person who tagged you:

Your five impressions of him/her:

- smiles; lots and lots of smiles (even when angry, but those are scary smiles)
- on the tense/temperamental side, try to stay calm! Use that blue stone I gave you!
- obsessed with her car
- EXTREMELY talented and very hardworking (I’m envious. *grin*)
- kitties!