Seanan McGuire (seanan_mcguire) wrote,
Seanan McGuire
seanan_mcguire
  • Mood: thoughtful
  • Music: Glee, "Forget You."

My father says, when you gonna live your life right?: Things to do before I die.

I was bored, I remembered catvalente's list of things to do before she died, and so I decided to write my own list of things to do before I died. Because that's just the way we roll around here. Also, a bored blonde is a dangerous blonde.

25 Things I Want Deeply Enough to Put Them On a List of Things to Do Before I Die, Assuming My Life Doesn't End With Cackling, a Flaming Biosphere, and Joyous Shouts of "I Showed You, You Fools! I Showed You All!":

1. Tour a Level-4 biohazard safety area

Look, I never claimed that I was going to be reasonable, safe, or sane in the things I wanted to accomplish before shuffling off this mortal coil, and at the end of the day, if said shuffling occurs because I was exposed to smallpox while touring a CDC lab, I can't say anyone's going to be overly surprised. I want to actually experience the moon-suit and the tugging from negative-pressure airflow. It's something that part of me really feels I need to do.

Necessary objects not currently owned: access to a Level-4 biohazard lab, understanding lab technicians who don't mind civilians in their workspace, possibly some sort of government clearance.

2. Have a display area suitable for my dolls and Ponies

This is one of those wishes that's sort of wrapped up in a bunch of other wishes, since having a display area suitable for my toy collection basically means having a larger house. The place I live right now doesn't have any room left for a series of proper glass-fronted cabinets, and that's what it would take to really set my My Little Pony collection up properly, to say nothing of my Monster High dolls and assorted other toys. Am I a massive nerd? Yes. Yes, I am. I embrace my nerdhood, and dream of proper shelving.

Necessary objects not currently owned: several nice glass-fronted display cabinets, a room where they would fit without my needing to sleep on an inflatable mattress or something.

3. Visit Maine

Maine is something akin to Fairyland in my heart: this strange, impossible place where mysterious things happen, like ice falling from the sky, or killer clowns dragging your little brother down into the sewer to eat his heart. I've been dreaming of Maine since I was seven years old. There's no possible way for the state to live up to everything that I hope it's going to be, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to go there and see it for myself.

Necessary objects not currently owned: a block of vacation time without any other commitments. Ha. Ha. Ha.

4. Become functionally fluent in American Sign Language

I've been learning ASL out of books and off of webpages and from friends for the last few years, and I've reached the point where I can sign along with Journey songs without really dropping words. My finger-spelling is still terrible, but it's getting better. I think it's just shy of magic that we can have a language that doesn't require spoken words, but exists somewhere between the realm of the written and the spoken. Besides which...I go through life expecting that since I live in a country where the dominant language is English, everyone will understand me. I'd like to be able to assist in making that true for other people. And the sign for "science" is just plain fun.

Necessary objects not currently owned: a good ASL class. I'm going to be looking into one during the upcoming semester.

5. Take a ludicrously long walk to nowhere of any specific use to anyone else

I love taking long walks. Like, really, really, REALLY long walks. We are talking "bring a tent"-length long walks. And I love stories about people who walked to Mordor, or Oregon, or just about anyplace that is, like, crazy far away and means sleeping on the ground or at weird slightly creepy motels with broken neon signs out front. I want to take an epic walk. I want to take a "bring a tent" walk. I'd really like to take it either alone or with a large dog, which probably means having someone who follows me in a car about ten miles back, just in case I run into issues with being female and alone by the side of the road. But this is something I really, really want to do.

Necessary objects not currently owned: a destination, time to get there, a large dog, an escort.

( Twenty more odd wishes after the break.Collapse )
Tags: about the author, cat valente, contemplation, making lists
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firynze

January 28 2011, 19:54:02 UTC 6 years ago

I was deeply tempted to buy what I thought of as "The Witch House On The Hill" when I was hunting. If it weren't for the fact that I was convinced I'd die on the steps in winter, I might've done.

Also, you know what's even more fun than a sphynx cat? A Cornish Rex. They feel like VELVET. I still miss my Itzpapalotl-kitty.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 18:23:11 UTC 6 years ago

They are nifty, nifty cats.

firynze

6 years ago

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loki_dip

January 28 2011, 19:59:23 UTC 6 years ago

#1. If a level 4 is the same as a category 4 then I've done it. We only have one cat 4 left in England now but you could go and see it as part of our training. They're surreal. I've worked in a cat 3 in my old micro lab.

Surely it wouldn't be that hard? If you appealed to them by saying it was research and you want to make sure the science writing is accurate then they might like you! At least it would be better than CSI which we mock for fun.

#23. You've got to be a lot closer to it than most? If you don't mind my asking is your day job involve writing at all?

#24. Everyone has to have a hobby. :)

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 18:51:58 UTC 6 years ago

In re #23: Sadly, no, it doesn't. Every time I try to get into writing the processes or templates, or other things that involve, you know, WRITING, I get turned down.

theironchocho

January 28 2011, 20:03:52 UTC 6 years ago

Because of #4 and the song you're listening to, I think you might like this video.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 18:52:09 UTC 6 years ago

Neat!

kengr

January 28 2011, 20:09:27 UTC 6 years ago

With regards to butchering a cow, maybe if you were to arrange a visit to e_moon60 at the right time?

Then again, I have no idea if the two of you would even like each other.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 18:52:28 UTC 6 years ago

You never know until you try.

bigherman

January 28 2011, 20:18:41 UTC 6 years ago

A wonderful list, reflecting the wonderful person making it, and her fascination with death, disease, dismemberment, and Disney.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 18:52:40 UTC 6 years ago

Hee, thanks.

lisa_marli

January 28 2011, 20:35:33 UTC 6 years ago

Y'know, my friends' page is titled "Some of My Crazy Friends". This is Proof!
Still it is a fun list. Thanks for posting.
Already helped with #11.
And Definitely 23. It would be great if you could make it full time as a writer.
As for 25 - The only problem with that, is we were the kids who were Not Frightened. But then again, if the kid isn't frightened you know that kid is One of Us. Bwahahaha. >:)

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 18:53:05 UTC 6 years ago

Very true.

tintiger

January 28 2011, 20:47:03 UTC 6 years ago

Maybe you could combine the walking with Maine, and walk part of the Appalachian Trail? Though that, too, would require a block of time not totally committed to something else.

Sadly I can only do this in a virtual reality, but I started in virtual Maine and am now trudging through virtual Virginia! At 6 miles a day I plan to finish in virtual Georgia sometime this year :-) On the plus side, I can also walk a virtual trail every day of the year, without having to worry about snow :-)

If you're going to the Appleby Horse Fair in June (some day), maybe you could combine it with either the Hadrian's Wall Path, or the Coast to Coast Walk? Either one can be walked in 5 - 10 days, depending on how fast you're willing to go. And the Hadrian's Wall Path is bus-supported during the summer.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 18:53:23 UTC 6 years ago

True!

That could be an awesome adventure.

martianmooncrab

January 28 2011, 20:49:59 UTC 6 years ago

I have a Cornish Rex cat who is like a Sphynx but with (soft) stubble.

I would like sufficient shelf space for my books.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 18:53:37 UTC 6 years ago

That would also be nice, it's true.

pyre006

January 28 2011, 21:05:42 UTC 6 years ago

for #5 I would totally escort you (and 2 chicks wandering the country side=horror movie :)

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 18:53:51 UTC 6 years ago

Dude, TOTAL horror movie.

silvertwi

January 28 2011, 21:40:27 UTC 6 years ago

10. Write a complete Broadway-style musical
A wonderful goal! Two of my friends wanted to write a musical but don't have the knowledge to handle the music side of things, so they started a collective. It took us a semester to get the outline of the plot and songs we wanted finished. We're getting close to finishing lyrics...they're due on Feb 14...and now the four of us writing the music have to pick up and go and try to finish roughly 19 songs, with arrangements, this semester (not including scene-change music and such).

The concept we started with was adapting a short story (out of quite a few, we picked The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde). Next time, we might try an original idea, but it's amazing how much the story has changed from what it was originally.

I gather from other people that it can take a year, year and a half for two people working together (full-time students, mind) to write a musical.

On the bright side, we have a student theater group willing to put on student-written works in addition to other things like Sondheim musicals.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 18:54:09 UTC 6 years ago

Oh, lovely!

fantasybookcafe.com

January 28 2011, 23:54:41 UTC 6 years ago

If you ever come to Maine, fall is the most beautiful time of year. Unfortunately, it doesn't last that long and we get about 6 months of wintry weather and ice falling from the sky, but fall is beautiful!

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 18:54:24 UTC 6 years ago

Yeah, it's a pretty narrow window.

vincentursus

January 29 2011, 00:42:51 UTC 6 years ago

This post made me emit a high-pitched giggle of the kind that friends and acquaintances find disturbing.

Good luck on accomplishing these goals.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 18:54:34 UTC 6 years ago

Thanks!

gorgeousgary

January 29 2011, 02:26:39 UTC 6 years ago

Hmm...thankfully, several of these are potentially within the ability of your legions of minions adoring fans.

So let's see...we need to start working on:

(1) Finding a good site in Maine to host the first TobyCon.

(2) Hugo nominations. Shouldn't be that hard, considering we got you a tiara at a non-North American Worldcon. Many more of us can play this time. ;-)

(3) Get you invited to Oasis. That'll make Disney World much easier.

(4) Work on that advanced spinal technology. I know a biomedical engineer or two...

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 19:02:47 UTC 6 years ago

If I get a Hugo, I will die.

Just saying.

muddlewait

6 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

6 years ago

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kateyule

January 29 2011, 02:48:46 UTC 6 years ago

Right, that does it. I have got to sit down and write myself up a good (fun, ambitious) bucket list.

I remember when davidlevine wrote his space-related wishlist a year ago, and almost immediately got the chance to go to Fake Mars,
I said “Self, what’s your pie-in-the-sky wishlist?” Answer came there none.

Mind you, in the intervening time I've seen a shuttle launch, stalked a mob of kangaroos, flown in a zeppelin, and snorkeled. Not too shabby.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 19:02:59 UTC 6 years ago

Not shabby at all!

docpockets

January 29 2011, 04:50:30 UTC 6 years ago

Teddy and I would be willing to hike some of the PCT with you.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 19:03:23 UTC 6 years ago

I love the PCT. There's a really nice fourteen-mile loop along the coast that I adore.

It's a GOOD Life

amberley

January 29 2011, 05:52:03 UTC 6 years ago

2,13,17,20,25 could all be accomplished together if you bought a house in the woods with a corn field near it. I don't know if corn grows in Maine (it seems doubtful) but if so you could link in 3, too.

Best wishes on accomplishing most or all of those!

Re: It's a GOOD Life

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 19:03:44 UTC 6 years ago

I'm planning on moving to Washington, eventually. Maine has too much weather.

georgiamagnolia

January 29 2011, 05:57:54 UTC 6 years ago

I don't know if you've seen this guy or not, but he makes ASL music videos and WOW he works hard. I am not sure I really dig Ok, his music choices are not MY music choices, but he still does a magnificent job. Here is his How I Make This video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd1NX_x_PnY

A really amazing example(remember, his music choice, not MINE!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bNXdFpeASo

Yeah, I could embed but I was't sure if that was rude or not to post video in your comments...

OK, I have to put this one in too, he's just so damn cute in this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmKnQjBf8wM&feature=related

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 19:03:57 UTC 6 years ago

I love him so.

linenoise

January 29 2011, 06:50:50 UTC 6 years ago

I'm totally with you on #5. I did Outward Bound about 10 years ago, and we walked for 7 days through beautiful country with nothing more than whatever we brought in with us. We didn't have anywhere to be, or anywhen to be there.

I desperately want to do it again, sometime. For similar reasons, I really want to just get in my car and start driving places. I'd wager I could get from LA to NY without spending a single dollar on lodging, and I want a chance to prove my conjecture.

Also, re: 20, as part of one of my classes last summer, I participated in the butchery of a whole pig. I didn't get to see it slaughtered, it was delivered frozen. But I got to witness and assist in taking it from "whole animal" to "constituent parts". And, what was more awesome, we then took everything that we got from that pig and preserved it all in a fashion that it would've lasted through an entire winter in a colder climate. Bacon, ham, sausage, lard, etc. It was one of the finer moments in my course of study.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 19:04:22 UTC 6 years ago

Dude, that's awesome.

fayanora

January 29 2011, 08:47:24 UTC 6 years ago Edited:  January 29 2011, 08:50:47 UTC

Have you ever read "Darwin's Radio" and "Darwin's Children" by Greg Bear? Your wish about wanting to be in a CDC lab made me think of that, since the CDC plays a huge role in those books.

If you haven't read them, they're about old viruses from inside our own DNA reactivating to bring forth a new species of humans. There are some side effects, like strange new killer viruses. "Darwin's Children" has one character who got a replacement organ from a pig and now pumps out hundreds of killer viruses a week without them making her sick.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 19:04:43 UTC 6 years ago

I haven't, but I'll put them on the list!

hoppytoad79

January 29 2011, 09:32:19 UTC 6 years ago

9. Win a Hugo or Stoker Award

I recognize that I am an urban fantasy writer, and urban fantasy writers don't win these awards

Wrong! It doesn't mean that urban fantasy writers don't win Hugos and Stokers, only that an urban fantasy writer hasn't won a Hugo and/or a Stoker yet. I'm not eligible to nominate for either award, but if I was, I'd be nominating you.

#12--When you speak of giving Toby her "proper end", would that come in the sixth book that will be published next March (and if DAW decides otherwise, I'll be forced to put on my steel-toe asskickin' boots to go...persuade them to change their minds, because over my cold, dead body I and your other loyal fans will be denied the joy of knowing how this rollercoaster ride you're taking us on ends), or novels not yet written?

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 19:05:14 UTC 6 years ago

DAW is definitely publishing books six and seven. I would like to go through book eleven or twelve, at the minimum.

hoppytoad79

6 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

6 years ago

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nolly

6 years ago

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Colorado...

the_liz666

January 29 2011, 09:46:34 UTC 6 years ago

Reading your list made me realize that several items could attained in my home state of Colorado. We had ridiculously long walking trails, or hell, just walk the frontage road by the interstate from Denver southward. It's beautiful, and there are enough spots of civilization that you wouldn't have to worry about running out of water or a place to sleep.
We also have corn fields... And cows that get butchered. My brother in law likes to buy 'half a cow'. You put down money while it's still blissfully wandering pastures, and then once it goes to the butcher you get half the meat, fresh.
And we have creepy houses in the woods. But I'll be honest, I don't see you really choosing to live somewhere so burdened with SNOW.
Like you said, you're a busy woman, but if you ever find yourself coming out to the Mile High State, I'd be delighted to meet you, and maybe we'll even check off something off that list.

Re: Colorado...

the_liz666

January 29 2011, 09:50:22 UTC 6 years ago

PS. My obsession with My Little Pony stems from the same trauma of having my collection 'disappear' after a move. I held out hope that someday they might resurface from the labyrinthine storage spaces in my parents home, but I've given up. Tis tragedy.
The upside is that when people try to judge my obsession, I hold up my adorable 3 y/o and say "SHE likes ponies!" There, judgement deflected by cuteness. :-)

Re: Colorado...

seanan_mcguire

6 years ago

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Re: Colorado...

seanan_mcguire

6 years ago

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gwyd

January 29 2011, 11:17:50 UTC 6 years ago

1. Tour a Level-4 biohazard safety area

Wait, you are telling me there are people who don't want to do this???

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 19:06:24 UTC 6 years ago

Sadly, dear, yes, I am.

muddlewait

January 29 2011, 17:52:43 UTC 6 years ago Edited:  January 29 2011, 17:53:28 UTC

And I love stories about people who walked to Mordor

I must ask: does this mean you've read this particular story? I gathered a while back that you never had.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 19:06:37 UTC 6 years ago

I have not. But the movies were fun.

allaboutm_e

January 29 2011, 17:59:10 UTC 6 years ago

In my experience, the hardest thing about finding shelf space for toys is not sacrificing book space. Plus, possibly, keeping them out of the cats' paws.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 19:06:54 UTC 6 years ago

Very true, on both counts.

raphsody606

January 29 2011, 18:38:58 UTC 6 years ago

So, I grew up on a farm. I know about corn fields at night. My impression? Bugs. Lots of bugs.

seanan_mcguire

January 29 2011, 19:07:09 UTC 6 years ago

I like bugs.

I also like bug spray.

raphsody606

6 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

6 years ago

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