Joined: Wed Mar 16 2005, 01:18am
Location: in a Finnish goat hut north of the Arctic circle
Posts: 1534
Ashley interview by lovernios Sept 21 05
What is your middle name? Elizabeth, after my great-grandmother (who's still alive at the age of 103!)
Do you like your name? Yes and no. I like it because I can't imagine being named anything else, to me I'll always be Ashley. I don't like it for the simple fact that it's pretty unoriginal. I'd like to think my parents could have been a wee bit more creative, but oh well.
If you could chose any name you wanted, what would it be? (Unless you already adore your name) I wouldn't change my name if I had the chance, so I guess this doesn't apply.
What grade are you in? I'm a junior in High School, which is 11th grade.
What are your basic classes like, are they college prep, or is there a more pointed thrust towards your learning experience? Well the classes I'm taking are Spanish 4, Photography 2, Literature Studies, Technical Assistant (I'm basically a teacher's aid for my photo teacher's Intro to Photo class), Advanced Placement Psychology, and Algebra 2 Honors. A few of the classes are college prep classes (the honors and AP classes), but a lot of the others that aren't considered college level or college prep are still going to help me when it comes time for college mainly because I'm taking a lot of classes dealing with things I'm interested in pursuing in college (Photography, Spanish, and Psychology). And damn, I sure said "college" a lot.
Where are you from? Still there? I was born in Elmbrook, Wisconsin but I've lived in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (Milwaukee, basically) my entire life.
What do you like about your town? What do you detest? Well the actual town I live in is Wauwatosa, the city is Milwaukee. There's not much I like about Wauwatosa, it's your typical boring surburban town, but it has been a pretty nice place to grow up so I won't discredit it that much. Milwaukee on the other hand I've grown to love a lot lately. I never thought there was anything about the city that was especially great, but I've definitely changed my mind about that. It has a good music scene, diversity, festivals pretty much year-round, a nice lakefront (granted the lake itself is pretty gross, but it still looks nice enough), a great art museum, and a lot of possibility. There's always something going on, which is an aspect of big cities that I love. The worst thing about both is probably that they're in Wisconsin.
What are the people like there? Generally people from the midwest are very welcoming, and that applies in this case too. Most of the people here are pretty open minded and friendly, but if you get into the surrounding upper-middle class suburban areas they can be pretty ignorant, arrogant, somewhat racist, and very Republican. I guess it just depends where you go, but I prefer the people who actually live in the city.
What is your family like, brothers + sisters? Are mom + pop still an item? My immediate family is my father, mother, and my brother. My parents are still together (although, they almost split up during my freshman year of high school) and my brother's currently going to school in Florida.
How has your parents been through your teens? Are they wacko know-it-alls that suffocate the life out of you, or do they give you enough space to flourish on your own terms? My parents are kind of 50/50, sometimes they let me do my own thing and don't worry much about it, but other times they can be a bit psychotic. But my mom's a lot more strict than my dad is.
What is you favorite color? Most definitely blue.
When is your birthday? Flag Day! June 14th (1989)
Astrological sign? Gemini
What is your room/space like? Does it reflect you, or kinda not? I have the basement bedroom, which also happens to be the biggest room in the house, and it definitely reflects me. When you walk in you see all of my posters so you can already get a sense that I'm a big music-whore, I have photographs all over the wall so that passion is pretty evident as well, you can tell I'm messy, and if you look around the room you can see a lot of my books, my cds, and my guitar, so those help show what I'm interested in. It's hard not to understand more about me if you've been in my room.
Your interests...
Tunes - need to know your top 4-5 favorite artists in the music realm. Be thoughtful! I hate lameness. Oh how hard it is to narrow it down...it honestly changes around quite a bit but the following are my favorite at the moment: (in no particular order) --Incubus --The Spill Canvas --Acceptance --Rage Against the Machine --Led Zeppelin
The last album/CD you bought was? Please review it, in 5 lines or less. "One Fell Swoop" by the Spill Canvas. Simply put it's my definition of musical perfection. It's just one of those amazing albums that you get attached to and you can't stop playing...and the best part is you never get sick of it even if you listen to it over and over. At least, that's how it's been for me.
Are you sick of fucking Green Day yet? Why/Why not? I wouldn't mind fucking Billie Joe...heh. In all seriousness though, yes I'm sick of them being overplayed but I still like the band. They put on a great live show and their older stuff is still ace.
Photography - any new subject matter to share? I recently went out on a photo shoot downtown and got some really nice shots of the art museum and areas around there (it was for a theme shoot for my Photography class; the theme being architecture), once I get them resized and uploaded I'll post a few of the best shots.
What are some of your best subject ideas for photography? I have a ton of ideas that I want to do, but at the moment they aren't realistic just because I don't have the equipment or experience I need (and I can't get to the places where I want to shoot), but the next few years I'm just going to keep going out as much as I can and getting all the practice that I can. I'm also going to save up for some better equipment. After all of that, I hope to get some of my ideas actually done. A lot of them deal with religion, so those will all be planned shots.
Do you aspire to be some type of photo-journalist in the field, or more like a photographer of stills and people posing?? I'd like to do both, actually. Not at the same time but I'm interested in experimenting with the types of photography I do. I think that will better help me decide what I want my focus to be on eventually.
What is the basis of the photo passions that seem to fill your desires for your future? The basis is basically just that photography makes me happier than anything I've ever done, and I have a talent for it, so I can only hope to continue going down the road I am and just keep improving until I achieve what I want.
I noticed you are already taking college courses. What do they involve? I'm actually not taking those courses until next semester, but they'll be Photography and Psychology classes.
How did you aspire to such a standing - a 16.5 year old college kid? Where does Ashley go from there? What is in store for next year and after high school? It wasn't something I really considered until last year, but my school offers a Youth Options program. Basically you can apply to take classes at the University, and if you are accepted the high school pays for it. So last year when a lot of my goals came together and I really thought about what I wanted to do after high school I kind of realized that my options for taking classes dealing with those things are kind of limited at my school (just as they are with any other school) so this was the next best thing to do. Next year I'm going to be doing a mentorship where I'll actually get to work with someone in the community dealing with photography, and I'll also be taking more AP classes and hopefully one or two classes at the University. After I graduate I'm hoping to go to a college in New York, my top two choices are NYU and Fordham, but I'll also apply to Syracuse and Ithaca because they have the majors I want to focus on. Speaking of, I want to double major in Psychology and Photography and minor in Spanish. So that's what I'll be focusing on in college, and I'm hoping to get an internship sometime during my college years with a photography company. I also plan to take a year abroad in Florence, Italy either my Junior or Senior year of college. As you can see...a lot of goals. There are also a ton of things I want to do after college, but that's another story.
Besides tunes and photography, what other types of artistic expression attracts your eyes? I'm interested in writing, mainly because I'm horrible at it, but in all honesty I'm a fan of most arts, and I tend to appreciate them all so I'm always interested in seeing new things dealing with any form of it.
What is your favorite form of mind-altering substance? If it's alcohol, what's your pleasure there? I'm pretty straight-edge so I don't do drugs or anything like that, but I don't refuse to drink and I do it occassionally (usually not more than a few times a year, though). Alcohol wise I'm a vodka fan.
Movies - anything come out lately that perks your interest? Nothing lately, no.
What is your favorite genre of film, and why? I really can't choose, I'll watch pretty much anything and usually enjoy it.
Do you play any video games ? If so, what kind of those do you like? Not many, but I am the tetris queen.
Do you have any particular photographers whose work you follow, and if so, who? I'm obsessed with Duane Michals.
Your personality/look.......
Okay, what are your favorite shoes!?! Flip-Flops! Any flip-flops...I love them all.
What is the Ashley look and style? What are some of you favorite clothes makers and designers? Haha, I don't think there is an Ashley look and style. I wear what's comfortable, which is usually just jeans and a cute shirt. I have a lot of shirts from American Eagle, and most of my accessories are from there. In general I'm preppy, but I still just like to be comfortable. I'm a huge fan of long skirts, too.
Is there a stupid movie star or musician maybe that personifies your look most closely? Not one person specifically, no.
Are you happy with your hair finally? For the most part I'm happy with it, but I don't like how thick it is.
Do you wear studded belts? Nope.
What job do you want to have at the moment? I actually don't have one at the moment, but I have an interview at a Photo Studio this Friday so we'll see what happens.
What kind of career are you most inclined to have? I'd like to say Photography, but if that doesn't happen I'm going to have a degree in Psychology as well so I'd say either one of the two is possible.
Which part of your body do you like the least? The most? Least = nose. Most would probably be my eyes or my ass.
What color is your hair (natural + dyed, if so)? Eyes? Naturally my hair is brown, and my eyes are hazel (brown and green)
What are some of your worst habits? Procrastination is by far my worst.
What does Ashley feel she projects out to the world as a person? I think that I project myself to be a very outgoing person who's interested in taking all of the chances she can in order to achieve what she wants, at least that's what I'd like them to see me as. I don't think I project myself as a bad person or anything that would make someone not want to get to know me, but sometimes I don't talk around people I don't know so they assume that I think I'm better than them. When really it's just that I'm usually nervous because I don't know what they think of me.
What kind of people make you vomit/turn you off? People who break promises, hypocrites, habitual liars, people who are arrogant, bitter people who can't seem to get over anything that happens to them, there's a lot.
What kind of people are incredible turn-ons? Musicians, anyone who can make me laugh, and artsy people.
What are some of your favorite emotions? Pride, genuine happiness, feeling infinite, feeling motivated, feeling loved, etc.
Most missed thing/person memory? What I miss the most is probably NYC, actually.
Do you need to be alone, or like being alone much? I like having time to myself, but usually I can't get that until it's late at night.
Your outlook on the world around you...
What is your political views? Democrat/Republican/Independant/other? I'm a big liberal and Democrat.
Do you think the US should tone it down with the world police stuff and work on things at home more? I think it's good when we actually are helping other countries, but we do have a lot to work on at home. So I think we just need to decide what issues are the most important and we need to tackle those things first.
Do you trust your future in this society? The only person I trust my future in is myself...I think the society we live in is going to allow me to do what I want, though. And I'm very appreciative for that.
What do you hate about the world today? All of the ignorance.
What are some things that give you sense of peace? Driving late at night blasting my music with the windows up and singing, sleeping in, reading late at night, being with my friends at the local quarry, and being downtown on the lakefront.
You seem like a person who is very thoughtful before they speak. Do you think this trait of yours works to your advantage or disadvantage? It can be both, but in general I'm happy I have this trait. It's definitely stopped me from saying some things that could have gotten me into trouble.
Are you a person who is very interested in the world around you, or are you more inclined to make sure your immediate surroundings and people you love are in good standing? I focus on both. I don't like to ignore people and issues in other parts of the world because then I feel like a normal selfish American but I also don't want to put all my focus somewhere else and forget about the people that are close to me. I wouldn't wish anything negative on anyone, so I think people on both ends of the spectrum deserve to at least be kept in my thoughts.
What kinds of things do you percieve as a threat to your life plans? My own doubts within myself. That's the only thing that's going to stop me from doing what I want, and that's one of the biggest things I need to work on.
If there was an overriding theme or arc to the story of Ashley thus far, what would that theme be? Good question...I'd probably say it would be to stay motivated and to never give up on yourself, but at the same time I've done those things too many times to count. But in the end of it all that is what I want all of my accomplishments to show; that I didn't give up.
Love....
Have you ever been in love? I honestly don't think I have any idea what love is. At one point I thought I was in love, but now I don't feel that's what it was. I like the concept of it, but I don't think I'm mature enough to experience the real thing at this point in my life.
How old were you when you had your first kiss? I was in 2nd grade...so I was 7.
Are you in love now? Nope.
If you wanted to look very sexy, how would you dress? I'd probably wear a cute skirt and a nice top (not slutty, but also not too conservative). I'm not big on showing a lot of skin, but I do like showing off my legs when I get a chance. And as I said before I like my ass, so the skirt usually accentuates (sp?) both.
Do you think you are sexy? At times.
How do you picture a romantic date? I'm a big fan of just staying in and enjoying the other person's company, it can be romantic without being expensive and without going somewhere new. So if a guy can hold a long conversation with me and doesn't care about being out of the house every second of the night, I'd probably enjoy it.
What is your type of man you would like to date? Exactly the type that I AM dating.
Do you have a favorite type of love song? Any love song by Incubus is pretty much perfect for me. All of the love songs they've released are amazing.
What is the most important thing you look for? (eyes, personality, etc.) Someone who can hold an intelligent conversation with me.
Random/Fun crap...
What is the best meal you have ever eaten? Mac and Cheese and Lime Kool-Aid...seriously.
Give me 3 dead people you'd like to share that with, if you could? Andy Warhol Audrey Hepburn Kurt Cobain
What is a fantasy date for you? Going on a date somewhere in Europe.
What is the oldest age you would like to be alive? I can't pinpoint it by a number...I'd like to live for as long as I can take care of myself. I don't want to get to the point where someone else does everything for me.
What was the happiest day of your life? And the saddest? The happiest day was probably the night when I was in NYC and it was raining out. I went for a walk alone while it was raining and just had the most amazing feeling, I knew that I couldn't not live in the city when I was older. I still feel that way. The saddest night is too hard to pinpoint...there was period during my freshman year that was extremely difficult so it'd probably be somewhere in there.
Was your life ever out of control, and what did you do to get it back on course? It wasn't out of control, but I was making a lot of stupid decisions (mainly cutting). I ended up going to a hospital for a few days and I straightened things out that needed to be changed, and I've grown so much since then. I think it all really helped. I think a lot more before I react now, and that's helped me learn how to deal with things better.
What is the best gift you've ever received? My 15th birthday present was a trip to New York City...so probably that.
What is the best thing you've ever given of yourself to someone else? I gave someone my camera, which was really personal and hard for me to do, but I really wanted them to have it just so they could get a better idea of my passion for it. I also gave that person my favorite book, which again, for personal reasons was a pretty big deal for me. I enjoy giving people things with more of a personal value because I think it means more that way.
Where would you like to travel, and why? I'll be listing for years if I get really specific, but I have a goal to travel to every continent before I die. Europe is top on the list.
Do you like being a girl? Why, do you think, are they (chicks) in charge? For the most part I like being a girl, but I don't like being as sensitive as I am. And I have no idea why we're in charge...I guess we're just better. Hehe.
Name 3 morons in pop-culture would you like to see get hit by a bus? Hilary Duff Courtney Love Paris Hilton
What about you is so god-damned charming? I'm a big dork...which actually makes me pretty awesome.
What is it about you that is so annoying and pisses people off? I tend to be a know-it-all when it comes to something I'm good at (Photography being the big one).
What object are you most sentimentally attached to? My camera (you could have guessed that one, though)
Pets? Names and variety please! One dog, he's a 5 year old Siberian Husky and his name is Cooper (named after Cooperstown; my family is full of baseball fanatics)
Name some skills/hobbies besides school and photography that are in your world? Skills? Hmm...I'll get back to you on that one, I really can't think of many. Hobby wise I like to do a lot of other things. I like to dance, sing, read, play guitar, paint (although I'm not very good at it), swim, and play soccer.
If you were stuck on an island, what would be 3 things that you HAD to have with you? CD Player A CD A friend
Finality...
I realize you're young, but if you could only have sex once more in your life, when would you do it, with whom, and where? I would do it on my 21th birthday with Jude Law on top of the Empire State Building.
What is the lasting imprint on humanity that you would like to leave before your time passes? I'd like to do something that impacts the art world (preferably by doing something that hasn't already been done), and be remembered for that.
If you found out through telepathy that heaven and hell are REAL, what would you do to change your self? I wouldn't change anything about myself just so I could secure a spot in a place I didn't believe existed...it would feel too fake for me. I think that if heaven and hell do exist and someone found out that for sure, if they changed just because of that it wouldn't be for the right reasons. If you're a good person you're a good person, if you're not you're not. I happen to think I am for the most part.
Do you have an ultimate goal that burns inside you? What is? To experience what true happiness is (in all areas of my life)
Joined: Wed Feb 28 2007, 12:14am
Location: Under Your Mom's Meat Flaps!
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Very real, and realistic .... Very honest and thoughful.
You are years beyond your years, and wiser than most within your years.
I'm not going to quote a few of the things that I really liked, like the "in love" Q/A, etc ....
I AM, however, going to ask you to name a few good tracks from that Canvas CD that you'd suggest listening to. I'm big on listening to new music all the time. ... in fact, CA and Lov's linked MP3's are all part of my collection now.
Joined: Wed Mar 16 2005, 01:18am
Location: in a Finnish goat hut north of the Arctic circle
Posts: 1534
Ashley is quite cool, in her approach and mindset Maybe it's the Gemini influence we share, but I can relate in alot of ways, despite our age and gender differences. With some more life-experience, this chick will be a world beater.
"E.Munster" wrote ... Wow, fascinating girl! Nice interview, want a beer?
I hate beer!
And Thrash, some tracks you should check out from the Spill Canvas cd are "Stapplegunned", "Lust a Prima Vista", "Polygraph, Right Now", and "Self-Conclusion" those are a few of my favorites at least (but I really can't get enough of the entire cd). If you end up liking those I'd recommend checking the entire cd out.
Joined: Wed Mar 16 2005, 01:18am
Location: in a Finnish goat hut north of the Arctic circle
Posts: 1534
-----interview said--------- What is your middle name? Elizabeth, after my great-grandmother (who's still alive at the age of 103!) --------------------------------
Ash, my kid's middle name is Elizabeth too, after my grandmom's sister. I always liked the lovely old-fashioned warm vibe from the name.
-----interview said--------- When is your birthday? Flag Day! June 14th (1989) --------------------------------
mine is June 4, also a Gemini
-----interview said--------- Movies - anything come out lately that perks your interest? Nothing lately, no. What is your favorite genre of film, and why? I really can't choose, I'll watch pretty much anything and usually enjoy it. Do you play any video games ? If so, what kind of those do you like? Not many, but I am the tetris queen. --------------------------------
Ash, this is a mark of the Gemini. Ambivalence and an open mind. We have our interests in films and entertainment, but they are 'picky', is that a good word?
-----interview said--------- What kind of career are you most inclined to have? I'd like to say Photography, but if that doesn't happen I'm going to have a degree in Psychology as well so I'd say either one of the two is possible. --------------------------------
Co-existing dualities! As a true Gemini who has struggled with the dualities mightily forever (it seems), I would advise you to soldier forth under one banner. The trouble is to figure out what banner is the 'one' Because Geminis also generally suck with objects and items in the material sense, I would suggest the psychologist path, because Gemini's are cerebral and empathetic peeps that work best using their minds. Air signs are what they are....
my 2 cents from one intangeable perspective i don't meet many Geminis, you?
I actually know and meet a ton of Geminis, but I don't always relate to them.
As for the Psychology and Photography thing, a lot of people have told me that I'll need to choose one to do, but I'd honestly love to double-major in both and then see which one ends up in a better career for me. If I somehow end up with a career as a Psychologist, I'd still love to do Photography on the side...they're both so interesting to me and I enjoy them both so it would be very hard to choose just one. Granted, it will be a lot of work to major in both, but I think in the end the advantages will have been worth it.
And you're right, I'm definitely a picky girl in most of what I do.
Joined: Wed Mar 16 2005, 01:18am
Location: in a Finnish goat hut north of the Arctic circle
Posts: 1534
Oh Ash I forgot...
I'm a huge fan of Led Zeppelin, have been for a long time Sadly, I discovered them just about the time 'In Through the Out Door' came out, which has 'All My Love' and 'Fool in the Rain' on it, 2 huge hits off it. Mighta been 82' or so, but it was also their last album, because their drummer (John Bonham) went and drowned in his own vomit about a week before their tour started. So, what Zep tunes or albums do you like? Do you own any on vinyl? I had them all on vinyl
My favorite Zep album is "Physical Graffitti". That record is a huge blooming flower/cornicopia of Zep touching on just about every influence possible, and all of it is great, just very different. For instance, there's a song called 'Down by the Seaside' that almost sounds like it belongs in a soundtrack to a 1940's b-movie romance flick. It's so lush and pretty, you almost feel like you are there. It could've been a Honeydrippers song, if you ever heard of them, one of Robert Plant's post-Zep bands. It also has my favorite song by Led Zeppelin on it called "The Rover". Plant's vox and Page's guitar riffs and solos are excruciatingly razor sharp and lovely, it is a real emotional and dark song. In My Time of Dying.... Kashmir.... Bron Y Ur Stomp.... I dunno, Graffitti is so artsy and dark, plus it was a 2LP when it was released, it's a ton of shit to sink your head into, but worth alot of your time
My second fave is Led Zep III Gallow's Pole is the shit here... this album is Zep's acoustic side, though about 1/2 the songs are electrified. Another all time favorite is the song "Out on the Tiles". A wonderment for all time, it is such a joyful, carefree absolutely rocking song, the last song on side B, and the only electric song on the side. Bonham's drumming is unbelievable, you will never hear and feel more personal and played with emotion drumming ever, I miss this stuff alot. Bonham was the best. Oi, and how can I forget "The Immigrant Song"
"We come from the land of the ice and snow, From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow. The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands, To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!" - Immigrant Song, 1st stanza
I love that stuff....... Zep owns
I loved Zep I + II of course!!! IV was overrated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL Houses of the Holy!!
I'd also recommend HIGHLY the album "Presense". It was written and recorded months after a car crash took the life of Robert Plant's first wife and his son, and he himself was in a wheelchair for over a year. This album was released after "Physical Graffitti" and carries tons of leftover remorse and guilt in the music from Plant, as all the vocals were recorded while he was in a wheelchair from an accident where he was the driver. The band also dabbled in dark mysticisms and led a rather carnal lifestyle and some of the songs on "PG" were lyrically VERY dark and glib about such things as death, and all it reverberated through Plant a great deal. 'Achilles Last Stand' is the epic song, almost as awe inspiring as 'Kashmir' but overlooked by most radio. Songs such as 'Nobody's Fault but Mine' and 'Tea for One' tell some of the tale about Plant's mindset for the lyrics etc.
"In Through the Out Door" is also fabulous... "carouselambra" is a great song, there are many here too!! "Hot Dog" is a great tune, almost honky-tonk country blues
CODA was kinda gay, that was just some slapped together unreleased stuff they put out after Bonham died, as some kind of epitaph. It wasn't bad, but there's no real classic there.
After Zep, I like robert plant's solo stuff some, but not too much...
What I did love the was The Firm, with Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers (Bad Company vox)... "Radioactive" still rules!!
