Miscellaneous is the tagline to store my random posts that don’t really belong elsewhere. It’s more for consistency sake so I can have an itty-bitty picture to follow suit with the post.

What’s Random Today?

The Liebster Award recognizes and helps discover new blogs. The rules are (generally) as follows:

1) Link back to the person who nominated you.
2) Answer 11 questions from the individual who nominated you. 3) Nominate 11 new bloggers and come up with your own 11 questions. You cannot nominate the person who nominated you. 4) Inform your nominee on being nominated.

(I think this is a variation because the original also has you listing 11 random facts about yourself… but nobody got time for that.)

Initial Thoughts:

But really… a Liebster Award, huh? That’s cool I guess. My takeaway is basically, TL;DR: “here’s some prompts, please rant away.” Well thank you kind sir, I will. You have been warned for this extremely long and potentially pointless rant post.

But first, here’s an amazing sales pitch (but not really):

I was nominated by Books and Iced Coffee so you can do whatever you want with that. She was also kind enough to ask me the same questions as the person before asked — so I’m shaming her for rehashing these questions (although call me a hypocrite now when I’m too lazy to generate my own list of questions).

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Liebster Award Acceptance Speech:

1. What is your number 1 bookish dream (meeting a character/author, being a character in a book, and etc.)?

Sure, you can call me a [your choice of expletive goes here] for saying this but yes, I do want to take part in either Battle Royale or The Hunger Games – I’ve said this before in a previous Top Ten Tuesday list here. 

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Joey, are you [your choice of insult can go here.]?”

Yes, I might be. No, I probably am. Maybe? But it’s not about the enjoyment of fearing death, of isolation, of living by the sensations of having to kill-or-be-killed that drives me to want to participate – nope, it’s fundamentally about the need to see how one would fare; to be challenged by the wear and tear from both mental and physical capacities. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like life too. Love, even. And it’s not about the rah-rah of sacrificing myself or being gallant because I know I’ll probably die. But in what order? How? By what cause and means? These are basic questions, sure, but most importantly: if the capacity of human nature is measured by the slightest impact, what will be mine?

If I wanted to tangent this idea to let’s say, Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin), I’d join the Scouting Legion/Recon Corps. The answer is still the same. The curiosity does indeed kill the cat.

Well, shit, now I’m rambling and this is getting extremely existentialist…so I’ll just stop here. And yes, call me what you want.

(or if I can really dream big, assuming mangas count as somewhat bookish: I wish Pokemon’s were real. Don’t hate.)

2. If you could have any power what would you choose?

To be the Avatar and bend all the elements…though if I had to choose one element, I’d settle for water bending (and blood bending by proxy).

3. Who is one author you want to meet the most?

None – because I would U-turn and remove myself from a potentially awkward situation.

But if I must:

Childhood: Authors of The Magic Schoolbus – to thank them being a learning module as well as an escape from daily studies in elementary school.

Teenage: Margaret Atwood – for somehow being an integral part of my introduction and exploration of the sci-fi/speculative fiction genre (despite having reservations for her novels.)

Early-Adult: This one is difficult because I don’t religiously follow any one particular author. So I guess maybe Brandon Sanderson or Patrick Ness will do?

4. What’s your favourite childhood book(s)?

My childhood was filled with video games and zero books. And let’s be honest, who really read for book reports? Not I.

Anyhow, favesies? Probably I Spy. … or maybe Each Peach Pear Plum. Goosebumps is always an option (more-so because I watched the television show). Picture books are the bomb.

Classy, Joey.

5. If you could have lunch with one character (from book/TV show/movie etc…) who would you choose?

Any character that made me think: “Why did you do that? Why?” So I can rant and attempt to talk sense into them (because I think I’m good at using long phrases of meaningless value to confuse them enough to understand my perspective – even when I’m not).

6. What’s your favourite quote(s)?

“But if I’m it, the last of my kind, the last page of human history, like hell I’m going to let the story end this way. I may be the last one, but I am the one still standing. I am the one turning to face the faceless hunter in the woods on an abandoned highway. I am the one not running but facing. Because if I am the last one, then I am humanity. And if this is humanity’s last war, then I am the battlefield.” – Rick Yancey, The 5^th Wave.

Why: It just gave me so many “…OH SHIT’S ABOUT TO HAPPEN” feels.

“I killed my wife,” Edmund said absently, leaning back, staring at the ceiling. “It was an accident. Electrified the counter while trying to power the microwave. Stupid thing, eh? I wanted a frozen burrito. Sara died for that.” He tapped the table. “I hope yours died forsomething greater.” – Brandon Sanderson, Steelheart.

Why: I died inside.

“From everything I’ve seen in my brief nineteen years on this planet, it should be enough in life to be content. I think that being happy is a statement used far too lightly. Happiness is not an everything thing, it is a special day out, or a special smile from someone you care about, or a piece of good news never expected, or a massive downpour of rain on a summer’s evening or even an incredible piece of writing that I’m reading for the first time. To be content every day should be more than enough for everyone, with lots of moments when true happiness is felt strewn in for good measure.” – Andrew Critchley, Dublin in the Rain.

Why: Part truth.

7. Where do you want to travel to the most?

To the kitchen and back? #foodieantics.
Travel wise: Backpacking across Europe or through Southeast Asia sounds like plenty fun.

8. Favourite book for this year so far?

That depends on how you’re asking this question…

Favourite book I’ve read this year irrespective of publication date? Sanderson’s Steelheart (re: 2013).

Favourite book I’ve read this year (so far) published in 2014? I haven’t found one yet. Shoot me a message if you think you have one that can turn heads and answer this question.

9. What fandoms are you part of?

I’m part of everything that I like to waste time with; so basically, everything. I would never be able to give you a full list and this fandom question links heavily to the next question.

10. Do you have any OTPs and if so who (can be from TV shows/movies/etc)

#nojudgment. #noshame.

Well this doozy of a question is quite the flavour of the month dealio for me. While I do try to find ships/OTPs in every form of entertainment, it’s typically something that’s sporadic and seemingly depends on upholding relevance. What I mean is like: Arrow (CW network) airs during the fall/winter season – during this time there’s more of a prevalent on-going shipping of Ollie and Felicity. Otherwise, during the summer, I’m not as transfixed on this ship. Does that make sense?

I watch everything almost everything (or I would like to say I do) so it’s likely that I have ships for most things; but I won’t grace you with each and every single one of them. If you want to know about ships for a certain show (assuming I watch it)… just ask away. Memorable OTP ships for me this year include (but not limited to):

– Virtue/Moir (Canadian ice dancers);
– Donna/Harvey (Suits);
– Jon/Neda (Big Brother Canada; LOL don’t hate);
– Stone/Garfield (Spiderman);
– Fitz/Simmons (Marvels Agent’s of S.H.I.E.L.D),
– Garcia/Morgan (Criminal Minds) and;
– Klaus/Caroline (Vampire Diaries).

Where are the book ships, you may ask? I tend to ship more television/movie stuff than have book OTPs. I think it’s because these shows run for a longer period and so there’s greater attachment in seeing them week in-and-out. The latest OTP from a book that I can remember is Steelheart’s Tia and Cody.

11. Who is your favourite character? Why?

This question also relates to my above response – it changes a lot and I dislike having to narrow down to a single choice. So here’s some characters that I think are rad:

– Uriah (Divergent): cooler than cucumbers.
– Legolas (Lord of the Rings): I remember making a Neopets account based on Legolas. He’s the true archer that made you want to take up archery. Sorrynotsorry Katniss.
– Olaf (Frozen): I don’t need to explain myself.
– Jonathan Phaedrus (Steelheart): He’s a baller.
– Neville Longbottom (Harry Potter): Legit unsung hero.
– Any mascot-type character in anime.

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Liebster Award – Questions and Nominations

So I will try my best to develop some questions – not questions asking about why you blog or your favourite food (seen and done) – but hopefully thought-provoking questions since I enjoy forcing people to think and justify themselves. But yes, I’ll probably rehash some freebie questions to stay true to remaining as a bookish questionnaire (hypocrisy, I know).

But I am quite the master at ‘would you rather?’ questions.

So hey Nominee’s here’s what Joey via. Thoughts and Afterthoughts wants to know:

1) What is your number one bookish dream? (meeting an author/character, becoming a character, etc.) Why?

2)  I didn’t think this through, but just run with the concept for a second: Imagine living in a world where only a single copy of a book is ever published. All of these books are housed at The Library; a place where you’re allowed to read but never borrow said book. But it’s burning down. Patrons are running rampant and considering the same question as this prompt: you only have time to run through and grab any one book. Which book do you choose? Why? What if you saw someone in the same aisle as you looking for that same novel? What then?

3) Third favourite (or worst) fictional world you would want to live in? Why?

4) If you could walk in the shoes of an antagonist and experience all their thoughts and actions as events play out (in relation to a specific scene possibly), who would it be and why?

5) Would you rather be permanently blind but still able to hear audio-books (let’s assume all novels had an equivalent audio-book) or be deaf but still retain your vision? Why?

6) Assuming for a second that these concepts are in near-perfection for reading specifically: would you rather have hyperthymesia coupled with eidetic memory (basically being able to vividly remember mostly every line and scene in a book) or always experience book-dementia (specifically, you’ll always forget what you read, meaning you can relive each book for first time again but never truly remembering them)?

7) Which character(s) have created an impact on how you perceive the present world? What made you change your perspective? In what way have you changed the way you think (or do things) because of them? Is this for better or for worse?

8) Assuming you could meet your favourite author(s), provide details of your ideal date itinerary.

9) If you could play matchmaker and take two individuals from different novels, and set them up together, who would you ship? Why?

10) You’re about to make your inaugural address/speech as [insert important role here] (i.e. President, Prime Minister, Valedictorian). If you could include a quote from any source (book/television/movie/etc.), what would it be? Why?

11) You have the chance of rewriting one narrative element of your choice of book or series. Do you take it? If so, what do you rewrite/change? Consider that the unwritten path will open others. Justify your answer.

So I don’t know if these people did it or not (I’m too lazy to check) but I’ll nominate you anyways. I’m essentially just randomly going through my followers and choosing people. But honestly, if I didn’t nominate you and you feel like taking part in my legit questionnaire then please be my guest.

1. Savindi @ The Streetlight Reader (You said you did it before, but my questions are cooler so you can tell me your answers over text/facebook)
2. Rachel @ Confessions of a Book Geek 
3. Ashley and Anne @ Lovely Literature
4. Chrissi @ Chrissi Reads (If memory serves me correct — you don’t do these…I think…but I had to try anyways.)
5. Mia @ Mia Reads
6. Brigit @ Escape Inside The Pages
7. No Money 4 Books
8. Shelly @ Raindrops and Pages
9. Emily @ Oh Magic Hour
10. #notpopularenough
11. #selfnominateislesscoolbutviable

… I’ll relay these messages later. I am le tired.

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Afterthoughts:

And there you have it, my Liebster Award speech thing. If you actually bothered to read all of it — well, that’s cool. If you skimmed to this point — how’s it going?

If you decide to take on this challenge, please remember to link me (so I get a pingback), comment below with your link, or send me an e-mail so I can read your responses and your award ceremony…thing.

If you’re too lazy to accept the Liebster Award and answer said questions, that’s cool as well – no pressure considering time is quite the valuable commodity

Cheers,
Joey