11 Semi-Random Questions

My new blogging buddy and fellow Campaigner from the Science Fiction Gang has tagged me to answer her eleven semi-random questions. Check out Elizabeth Twist's blog if you don't know her yet and give her a shout. She is fantastical.

What are you reading?
I am reading the third book of the Hunger Games Trilogy, Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins. I enjoyed the first book, the second book was a little slow but got better midway through, and with being 75% of the way through Mockingjay, I will say there are great parts and parts that drag. But overall, it's been a really good series and can't wait to see the movie.

What is your favorite creative activity that is not writing?
Two things - painting murals in children's rooms and karaoke. Art was my real first love growing up, and I thought for the longest time that I was going to be an artist. But reading and writing took over in high school and I got that English degree instead. And all Filipinos do karaoke. It's a stereotype, but one that is backed up with empirical data.

Where or how do you get your best ideas?
I draw a lot from all kinds of mythology: Greek, British, Asian, and even American folktales. But getting those little tidbits of inspiration usually come to me when I'm doing something monotonous like waiting in line at the DMV or going for long walks outside. It seems I get struck by my muse when I empty out my brain.

If you could magically and painlessly change one thing about your mind or body, what would it be?
That's easy. I'd like my heart repaired. I had a close call about 10 years ago with a virus that attacked my heart muscle. I got very lucky, as most people in that situation need a heart transplant right away. My heart remodled itself and found a way to work with the damaged muscle. Doctors are a little baffled. If anyone you know has any kind of heart issue at all, tell them to take Coenzyme Q10. Ubiquinol is the best form absorbed by the body.

What is the scariest movie, story, novel, or scene you can recall?
I think I was 10 or 11 when I secretly watched The Exorcist. It's a miracle I didn't soil my pants! As an adult, the story freaks me out even more since the real-life events that inspired the movie happened right here in St. Louis. The house where half of the exorcisms took place is home to a lot of paranormal activity.

What is the weirdest thing you believe?
I believe in reincarnation. With my old blog, I also did podcasts about the paranormal. I underwent past lives regression hypnosis and recorded the whole thing for my podcast. Oh. my. Gawd. I was able to recall three past lives of mine. Maybe I'll post the podcast up on my new blog for all of you to listen to!

Super strength or super intelligence?
Super intelligence. Then I could maybe help cure deadly diseases and figure out how to pay down our national debt.

You're granted the ability to become invisible. Where do you go and what do you do?
Robert Cormier's Fade is an awesome YA horror/sci-fi book that deals with this question. But I don't think I'm sick or twisted. So I think I would make my way to the Nevada desert near Groom Lake and check out Area 51 for myself. I wanna see some UFOs and alien bodies!

What one change do you think would have the most positive impact on the world as a whole?
Damn, that's a profound question. I'll keep it simple: thinking of others too with every thing you do every day. Imagine if everyone became thoughtful and helpful to each other. I think many of the problems our world faces today would disappear.

What is the crappiest advice you've given?
I once told someone, "What harm could it do?" Big mistake.

What is your favorite song right now?
My oldest son has me hooked on Skillerex right now, and it's one ear worm after another. Can't get the song "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" out of my head.