A new exciting interview with Cactus Watcher

[cactuswatcher]

fromann1962

Do you play a musical instrument and if so, what?
The mandolin. The mandolin is mostly associated with Italian gondolier ballads and that most stylized of country music, bluegrass. I don't care for either of those styles a lot. I play a variety of music, though I mostly practice Celtic, and other traditional 'fiddle tunes.' I'm starting to learn the tenor banjo (a 4-string variety of banjo) because it has a similar tuning (the only difference from playing the mandolin is that reach is farther for the fingers) and because it has a deeper tone compared to the mandolin. I've tried learning the piano now and then since I was small, but still mostly plink at it.

What is your favorite flower and why?
Deep red roses. They remind me of the place I grew up.

Do you think your online personality is different than your real one? How?
I know I'm more forward and gregarious on-line. I think I'm a nicer person off-line. Either way I think I'm a demanding teacher. It's easier for people to get used to that in person.

Who is the most interesting character from a novel that you have ever read?
No question, my own creation, a female priest of an alien race, society and religion. Since she is my medium for exploring the fundamental issues of what I truly believe in it's a fairly personal matter. I can say with some pride that an_old_one likes her. And dub did not like the human female hero of my novel much!

Who was your best teacher and why?
My first Russian professor was a remarkable woman. It's not too ridiculous to say she changed my life. She didn't save me from a horrible personal crisis. She didn't steer me from a destructive path. She'd do anything she could within moral and legal bounds to help a student who was interested in learning her subject. But, beyond getting me excited about learning Russian as my professor, she did show me as a friend it is possible to make doing the right thing all the time part of who you are, not just to act 'normally,' trotting out your principles when they seem to be needed most. Saying she was intelligent doesn't do her justice. She was both beautiful woman and a beautiful person. I studied on my own for her more with no grade at stake than I'd ever studied for any formal class before her. It's what great teachers can do.

Comments

[ann1962]

My favorite is deep red roses as well. I only knew one thing about all of the trimmings I wanted when I got married - deep red roses, almost black in their intensity.

Your Russian professor sounds amazing. What a great teacher will impart on her students can never be labeled or limited IMO.

Thank you.

Liked her?

[an-old-one.livejournal.com]

I more than liked her...V. is one of the most memorable, intriguing, complicated and enjoyable fictional characters I've read in years.

I'm still looking/hoping for more!!

;o)