Without-Feathers.com

LOVE: A word properly applied to our delight in particular kinds of food; sometimes metaphorically spoken of the favorite objects of all our appetites.
Henry Fielding

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Romy

Books are practically fetishes in my house. I read them, collect them, fondle them, strip naked and roll around on them. I particularly love antique books—subject or language is no object; I simply adore the aura they give off. As for content, I’ll read almost anything, but disaster stories, mysteries, true crime, and history are my favorites. Books with funny footnotes/endnotes make me shiver with joy.

Musically, I’m promiscuous—I’ll listen to anything, and I’ll like it, too. I’m a big fan of classical music, particularly from the Romantic and Classical eras. Beethoven, Vivaldi, and Mozart are my favorite composers, with a friendly nod to Mendelssohn and Bach. I’m also a fan of opera (Carmen and Oedipus Tex are my favorites). As for modern music, I like songs with angsty/poetic lyrics, minor-key melodies, and good, strong beats. But then, I like Jimmy Buffett, too.

I love rain and storms, and am usually the last one down to the basement when there’s a tornado warning. (Despite my anticipation, I haven’t seen one yet.)

I rarely go to movie theaters, but I do watch a lot of videos. My favorite movie genres are science fiction, foreign drama, and historical. Whatever the genre, good scripts are a necessity.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had a soft spot for rodents. Pet-wise, I prefer rats and gerbils—hamsters sleep too much, and mice are too skittish. Speaking of pets, I’m also a big fan of rabbits—they’re cute, they’re cuddly, and they’re smarter than you think.

Languages fascinate me. Even though I speak only one language (and a smattering of others), I love listening to and learning phrases in foreign languages, both dead and alive. Favorites include Gaelic, Latin, and French.

Egyptology has been a favorite study of mine since I was very, very young. During my childhood, I planned on becoming an Egyptologist, and I have to admit that I still harbor some archeological inclinations. More recently, I’ve become deeply interested in marine archaeology, which appeals both to my love of all things old and dead and my obsession with water and ships. I would happily spend the rest of my life exploring old boats and piecing together salvaged artifacts, if I could.

Moving forward a few millenia from pyramids and Roman ships, we arrive at the English Tudor period, another culture that fascinates me. British history in its entirety is one of my stronger interests, but this era in particular is my great passion. I can spend hours on end dissecting the personalities of the monarchs, the political manipulations of the various European governments, and the global ramifications of the advent of Anglicanism. (This is why no one ever mentions the word “Tudor” when I’m around…)

Trivia of all forms amuses me, and I pride myself on my vast mental database. Whether it’s providing an apt quotation, sketching in background for a TV show or movie, or correctly identifying a familiar-faced actor during a show or film, I’m usually ready with all the relevant info. (I’m very polite about it, though, and I don’t ramble on if it’s obvious no one’s listening. I did learn something from my father’s boring trivia lectures.) If I see a movie, I have to look it up on IMDb and find out everything I can about it, just so I know. And it’s not all about impressing other people, either—I figure this great store of amusing facts will come in handy if I’m ever thrown into solitary confinement. One must keep oneself amused, correct?

Much as I dislike advertising in general, I must admit to a secret liking for television commercials. Screw those fancy movie special effects, commercials are where the revolutionary visual techniques begin.

I watch Mystery! religiously, and Masterpiece Theatre only slightly less regularly.

Chocolate makes the world go ’round, of course. But did you know that strawberries and powdered sugar are also delicious? I just found that out a few weeks ago. And let’s not forget the guilty pleasures that are known as Fruit Roll-Ups. Nummy.

While we’re on the subject of food, I have to mention the absolute best taste in the world: unpasteurized French cheese. Seriously, you have not tasted cheese until you have tasted the germy French versions. It’s totally worth dying for.

My favorite season is spring, particularly those few brief weeks when it’s warm without being too hot, rainy without being too dull, and flowerful without being full of bees and bugs and other buzzing things. Autumn comes in a close second, although it’s usually too nippy for my thin tropical skin. But the fall colors are absolutely gorgeous up here in Minnesota, and my state produces some of the best apples you’ll ever taste. :)

Both my husband and I like clocks, of all shapes and sizes.

I might not entirely believe in the science of parapsychology, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like to study it. I have an ever-expanding collection of books on witchcraft, ghosts, and other supernatural elements, and I’d like to someday collect parapsychological artifacts as well.

In terms of visual art, I prefer Renaissance to modern, realism to Impressionism, and artists who don’t skimp on the details. Memento moris and vanitas vignettes are much preferred to close-ups of fruit, thank you very much.

If you take away my poetry, I’ll have to hurt you. Sad poems are my favorites, but poems about love and humor are appreciated, as well. Favorite poets include A. E. Housman, W. H. Auden, e. e. cummings, Dorothy Parker, and countless others.

I couldn’t live without my chewing gum. I’ve got a pack-a-day habit, and I’m not at all interested in breaking it. Favorite flavor: watermelon, but I’ll chew whatever you’ve got.

Just because I suck at math doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it. I find math to be as elegant and soothing as classical music; it’s only when I have to do tests and homework that I get annoyed with it.

Singing is fun when you’re doing housework; fortunately for my neighbors, I have a pretty nice voice. (Thanks for the good genes, Mom.)

Want to see what I DON’T like?