Krissy (shimmerlikegold.org)

These interviews started with the intention of getting to know my online friends better, and exposing a side of them that might not necessarily be apparent online. Each interviewee was asked ten questions, five of which were generic, and five of which directly applied to the specific individual. If you are interested in being interviewed, please leave a comment on this post.

Interview with Krissy of shimmerlikegold.org:

• Do your friends and family know you have a blog? If so, do they read it?
  No, they don’t. A few years ago, my friends knew I had livejournal (a few of them did, too) and we read each others, but aside from that, they don’t know about any of my current online escapades. As for family, I know my mom knows I have a domain, but I never talk about it, nor have I ever told her what it was (and I don’t plan to).
• When did you first start becoming involved in the “internet world”?
  I first started making websites when I was in 9th grade… so that’s eight years ago now. (Crazy!) I had one of those Brinkster websites with surveys, links to cliques, and pointless information about everything under the sun. From there, I expanded into the online blogging world before coming across fanlistings about six years ago. That’s been my main ‘internet’ hobby since then – making fanlistings and posting on the TFL message boards – though recently, my interest in the fanlistings community has diminished a bit, and I’ve moved back into and rekindled my love for the blogosphere again.

• What are your favorite places to visit online?
  I’m madly addicted to Google Reader (blessed thing that it is) and keep up with numerous design, style, craft, and personal blogs through it. I also spend a lot of time on LiveJournal, and at the VegOpt boards. And I’m not quite around there as much as I used to be, but the TFL boards will always be one of my favourite places online as well; it’s where I met most of my current online friends.
• Do you ever feel like it’s hard to maintain a balance between online and offline life?
  I wouldn’t say it’s hard per se, but I definitely don’t think I have a good ‘balance’ between the two. Offline life always takes precedence, but I would say I do manage my online commitments well. I think I have a good idea of how much free time I have to dedicate to my internet projects, and I think that knowing what you have the time for, and budgeting that time well are what’s most important when it comes to catering to both a life online and off. That said, when things get hectic offline, I will disappear for a week or so at a time from my online life. Ultimately, like I previously said, my offline life is what’s most important. Things like my family, my education, my health, and my job are more important than my blog and my fanlistings. That’s not to say those things aren’t important to me, because they are, but there are priorities in life, and when it comes to going out into the world and living for the moment, or sitting in front of a computer screen… in my eyes, there’s no comparison.
• Does your online personality differ from your offline personality? Do you find yourself acting differently in situations online than you would offline?
  For the most part, I would say they’re about the same. I’m definitely more outgoing and willing to speak my mind online though. Not that I’m overly extroverted online, but I’m way more shy and reserved in real life. Otherwise, I would say I’m exactly the same person online and off.

  As far as reacting to situations differently in either case, I’ll just ditto myself and say that online, I’m less shy and will be more likely to stand up for myself and what I believe in. Whereas offline, I guess I’m a bit more of a pushover. I don’t like upsetting people, and I have this strange need to please everyone. It’s bad, I know, but I can’t control it.

• You have a passion for piano, as well as music in general, and have just received your degree in music. How did this passion for music begin? What are some of your favorite artists/composers?
  I suppose it’s no mystery to anyone who knows me that music is a huge part of who I am. When I was really young (about 2 or 3), we used to go visit my grandmother every weekend as we were fortunate enough to not live too far from her. She had a piano, and I always loved hearing her play. (And dancing along; I was big on dancing when I was a baby.) When I was 6 years old, I told my mom that I wanted to be able to play the piano just like my grandmother, and from then on, I’ve been playing away. I’ve taken lessons every year since then, I’ve completed all of the piano examinations through Mount Allison University up to the teaching level. I took a few years ‘off’ from classical studies when I was in 11th and 12th grade so I could focus on my school work, and instead, I studied jazz. When I started university, I took lessons through the school again, and when my original degree choice wasn’t working out for me, I realized that I wanted to pursue music. Now, here I am 16 years later, and I have my degree in music. Of course, all of that is merely what I’ve been able to accomplish through studying piano, but it’s so much more than just a bunch of qualifications or a ‘talent’ to me. Music is something that I’ve been deeply passionate about for as long as I can remember. Outside of simply playing piano, I’m always listening to music (my iPod is my best friend), I love dance (though I can’t dance if my life depended on it), I love musical theatre… anything that has to do with music. I think it’s such a beautiful thing that so many people can overlook judging it merely by what’s playing on the radio. There’s so much more out there to be discovered, and I love exploring and trying new things. I love trying new instruments, and find great joy in delving into something new. (For the curious, I play [though not always well] organ, guitar, drums, xylophone, oboe, and flute outside of the piano.) My biggest instrumental goal is to learn to play the harp. I think that would be awesome! I’d also really like to learn the accordion, the fiddle, and the harmonica.

  As for favourite composers, I’m afraid the majority of my favourites are mostly composers for the piano. I love classical music in general, but as a pianist, I’m afraid I’m quite biased and prefer piano music. My all-time favourites to play are Chopin and Schumann. Chopin’s pieces have such beautiful harmonies and they’re always a challenge learning the elaborate rhythms, reaching all of the chords, and trying to wrap your head around all the sharps and flats. Schumann, on the other hand, I find generally just very entertaining. His pieces have a very playful spirit and while they can be really quite crazy with notes flying by faster than you think you fingers can handle, they’re a lot of fun. I also really enjoy Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Satie, Grieg, and Beethoven’s late period.

• You are a Canadian, and are proud of it. What is it about Canada that you like and dislike?
  I love Canada so much. I’m not even really sure what to say about it! I just know that I cannot imagine living (permanently) in any other country in the world than here. I’d happily do a study or work term elsewhere, but no other place will ever have the same place in my heart as Canada does. It’s my home. And I may have to wear sweaters and mittens for the majority of the year, but you know what… sweaters and mittens are warm and snuggly, and I’m all about that!

  On the downside, Canada has terrible shopping. I know, I hate to speak badly of my beloved homeland, but it’s the truth. It simply does not compare to the States in any way, shape or form. Like those individually cut and packaged cheese cube things. Those are amazing! I love those! But I’ve never been able to find them this side of the border. Or socks. There are bajillions of cool socks in the States that don’t exist here. Like my Bambi and Care Bear socks; greatest things ever, but purchased in Maine. For shame.

• Your blog is very heavily art-centered, and you are studying interior design for your second degree. What sparked your love for art and motivated you to study interior design?
  Art and design are two things that have always been a huge part of my life in some way or another. All through elementary and middle school, I enthusiastically toddled off to my drawing and painting classes every Friday afternoon (the highlight of my week!), and my parents let me take over our unfinished basement as my crafting zone. Art has always been one of my greatest loves, and while I’m no Monet, that doesn’t stop me. I’ve always been drawing and crafting no matter where I was in life. And while in recent years with the pressures of university and trying to find my place in the world, I’ve still kept up with my art and design roots along with those calculus classes and trying to understand my investments and banking. (Though I will warn you, doodling on your cheque book is frowned upon. :P)

  As for my second degree, it took me a long time to realize that interior design was what I really wanted to study. When I was younger, I used to have these tiny stuffed bunny rabbit toys and I would construct them these elaborate houses made out of construction paper. I would spent hours meticulously designing their mansions right down to their chair cushions and washroom faucets. Interior design was always something I deeply considered going into for my career until the last few years of high school when good old university selection came into play. Design was put on the back burner for more ‘practical’ study choices that would get me a well-paying job I could live off. I later realized after switching majors numerous times in my first two years of university, that it really was design that I was most passionate about and what I really wanted to spend my life doing. I know I’ll be living paycheck to paycheck for the rest of my life, but having experienced what it’s like to do something your whole heart isn’t in, I will gladly accept that.

• You are also a huge fan of fashion. Who are some of your favorite designers, models, and style icons?
  I love fashion, though I’ll be the first to admit that I’m terribly unfashionable myself. When it comes to actually dressing myself, I’m afraid I fail quite miserably, so I simply admire from afar.

  My favourite designer is probably Chanel. There are a million and one designers I love and that have very unique and fresh designs, but I just love the simple, and classic elegance that is Chanel. I wouldn’t say it’s always ‘my style’, but it’s always in style, and I think that’s something that’s especially important with fashion – not only creating something that’s interesting and evocative, but something that’s functional and transcends trend.

  As far as models go, I love Gemma Ward. I think she’s absolutely stunning in every way, and she’s incredibly talented. It’s a shame that she hasn’t been around the runways in the past year or so though; I miss her so!

  And for my style icon, Kirsten Dunst without a doubt. I think she’s remarkably put together at all times, and she has such diverse taste as well. Plus, she can pull off just about anything! If I looked even half as good as her pinky toe, I’d be on a roll!

• One of your favorite characters in the Harry Potter series is Hermione Granger. What is it about Hermione that you like so much? Who are some of your other favorite Harry Potter characters?
  I’ll admit, I’m a huge Harry Potter nerd. I got about one chapter into the first book in the series, and was completely enthralled. Unfortunately, that intial obsession completely blurred my memory of how, when and why I fell in love with certain characters and whatnot. Though I do know that Hermione was the first character I felt really connected to. I think it’s that sense of ‘girl power’, doing what she wants, and being who she is without caring about what others think about her that really captured me. I would definitely say Hermione possesses a lot of qualities that I wish I did, and I think that’s where a lot of my admiration comes from. Other favourite characters are Luna Lovegood (she’s so wonderfully dreamy, and wise at the same time), Professor Trelawny (I guess I’m drawn to the loopyness), Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Arthur Weasley.

Tags: interviews