The Syndicate

Phobia, because I’d be terrified of myself.

What something you would love to see at some point in your life?

All of my grandchildren.

You are granted the ability to control your dreams tonight while you sleep. What do you dream about?

Hiking by the fjords with my dog. Maybe all the dogs I've ever had. Me and a pack of dogs checking out the fjords.

What's your happiest childhood memory?

I could be cliche and say it was meeting Eloh for the first time, but that was online, so it wasn't that.

It wasn't even meeting her in person (which was awkward for a number of silly reasons).

It was kissing her.

That felt better than beating Mario Bros. level 8.

What's your happiest adult memory?

I had to think about this. There have been alot of them.

On my honeymoon, we went skiing (my anniversary was last week; we married in Winter). We rented a condo on the slopes for the week. The first morning, I woke up early, warm and snuggly, looked out the window (our bedroom had a window wall, that opened to the edge of the woods), and there was a flock of little birds in the snow. It's all little things, but it's a picture in my mind of a moment when life was absolutely perfect.

What's a story other people tell about you that you would rather they forget?

I‘d be able to answer it if I knew one, but I do enjoy my little bubble of bliss.

Maybe that story about being unable to realize a certain group was exploiting me on behalf of somebody else ? Can‘t tell for sure.

Would you force yourself to be forgiving to ensure a happy ending for all parties involved even if it meant you‘d have to swallow a very hard pill ?

That would depend on circumstances. If it was for work, no. But if the group of people who would have a happy ending were family or friends, yeah, I probably would.

I have a picture of my and my Grandmother and I at my wedding; every time I look at it, it makes me happy. Do you have something displayed in your home that makes you happy just be seeing it?

S~V~S wrote: ↑Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:25 pm That would depend on circumstances. If it was for work, no. But if the group of people who would have a happy ending were family or friends, yeah, I probably would.

I have a picture of my and my Grandmother and I at my wedding; every time I look at it, it makes me happy. Do you have something displayed in your home that makes you happy just be seeing it?

Oh, that's an easy one- the mirror.

No, I have something. And I hated it. My wife made it for me. She had this old desk. One day while I was at work she removed all my CD sleeves- inserts, booklets, the like- and cut them up. She then made a collage to decorate this old desk.

Boy, was I hot. She thought it would be a great surprise, but I was livid. Some of these items were autographed (she didn't know) or out of print (likewise didn't know). I couldn't understand why she couldn't ask me before violating my property.

On the one hand, had she asked me first or done nothing at all, I would have had these relics that collected dust somewhere in the corner of a closet.

On the other, I have my desk, and it's one of a kind.

Now describe the worst restaurant experience of your life.

I went to a high end South American restaurant in NYC a million years ago, I was just dating my husband. We took a train into the city, in a group. I got some kind of bad chicken, and I was violently sick. Food poisoning. In fancy clothes, with a group of friends, and I needed a train to get home. OMFG. I ruined everyones night, I ruined the conductors night, my dress and I haven't eaten South American food ever again.

What the most exotic cuisine you have ever eaten?

Probably turtle stew. I didn't like it but only because the cook salted the bejeezus out of it.

What's a purchase you made that you truly regretted?

There are probably dozens of them, but the worst would have been the cheap vacuum squared. I bought a cheesy vacuum, a Dirt Devil, I think, that clogged and broke almost immediately. So I went out and ... bought the same one again becasue survey says ...Cheap!!! That one lasted a bit longer, maybe a year, but it constantly clogged and had to be unclogged by hand. Gross. I bought a better one when that broke.

What's the story from your life, that when you tell it, people roll their eyes, and say stuff like, "Oh no, not this again"?

Probably the thing I just told them thirty minutes ago.

Where have you been?

Working and treading water

How old were you when you learned to swim? Do you remember not being able to swim?

We always had a pool since I was 4, and pool access before. I took swimming lessons but I could already dog paddle.

Who, when all was said and done, was the singular Best Character on LOST?

For me it was Sawyer. He had the best redemption arc, imo. He was loathsome yet still sympathetic in episode one, and he transcended that to become a good man in the end.

What one film do you think is a must see, a film that transcends genre?

S~V~S wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:29 pm For me it was Sawyer. He had the best redemption arc, imo. He was loathsome yet still sympathetic in episode one, and he transcended that to become a good man in the end.

What one film do you think is a must see, a film that transcends genre?

Dr. Strangelove




What's the one must see place you'd like to visit on Earth, be it city or nature?

That's a toughie; my mind runs to places like Mt Fuji, or Bora Bora, or Rome or Stonehenge, but it all drills down to the tiny village in Norway where my grandparents came from, Aamli.

How long has your family been where they are now?

Nineteen minutes. They are in bed.

What goes on your gravestone?

That's a stumper. I plan on being cremated, and don't want a marker. If a toast were to be made in my memory on occasion, though, I might like, "She tried to not be part of the problem, but sometimes that's what you need to move forward".

I'm pretty into genealogy. What's one thing about you that you'd like your descendants to know about, that they won't find in the paper trail of your life?

What, you mean they can't just join the Syndicate and Discord and figure it all out?

I think your question is harder than my last one.



That the worst things to ever happen to me never did.

Have you ever read Raymond Carver's short story "Cathedral?"

Many years ago I went through a Carver phase. I recall it as a detached introvert meets a blind man and has a maddeningly vague epiphany. So vague.

What time do you get up in the morning?

7AM




What time do you go to bed?

I have to get up at 5 AM, so generally 10-11. If getting up for work wasn’t a thing my natural inclination would be around midnight.

What’s your worst vacation ever?

Every one with my husband. Just. All of them.

If you could tell yourself something 10 years ago, what would it be?

"It's really not your fault; stop kicking yourself, and take better care of yourself"

If you were to buy a new car today, what would it be?

no particular preference for make or model, just something more recent with some of the newer tech installed (ive only ever driven stuff 1999-2002)


what did you do for christmas?

Unwrapped beer, new martini glasses, and some cool CDs (that's right, CDs).

Played Super Mario Wonder.

Went for a walk.

Cooked a kick ass prime rib that I just ate.

What'd you get for Christmas?

Gift Cards, an Alligator Loki plushie, and a pair of beautiful birch bark look ceramic mugs that were custom made for me. This brother is currently in the lead to inherit all my worldly goods

What’s the best gift you ever gave someone else?

I decided to stick around on this realm.

Who is the person that means the most to you?