Poll results - how can I show my gratitude to a mystery benefactor?

27 of you have voted. Only two thought that a public note of thanks on this LJ to my mysterious benefactor was enough. (I imagine that a lot of people will have thought that I have as good as done it already.) Five thought that the classical Greek honour of a laurel wreath was suitable. Six felt that to be written into a story by me, in a heroic role, would be a good idea. However, the absolute majority - nine votes, plus four "all of the above" - is of the opinion that a trip to one of the world's great tourist sites, Rome, London or Oxford, is the best idea - even with the infliction of my own sorry self as a tourist guide.

Very well. If and when Mystery Benefactor reveals herself (it is almost certainly a woman), we will see what can be done. Actually, I'd love to.

One point remains. Only one reader, redcoast, had an alternative suggestion - namely, a night of sex with yours truly. This is a compliment to my attractions that I absolutely do not deserve. In point of fact, if redcoast knew the extent of my lack of attractiveness to women, she might well think that she has offered Mystery Benefactor, not a reward, but a punishment.

You know one thing that annoys me?

Oh-so-clever longfics taking an inordinate amounts of twists and turns purely in order to get Harry out of his canonic relationships and in bed with Hermione or Draco. I don't care how well-written they are, by three-quarters of the story I start feeling manipulated and drop it.

meme swunked from kennahijja

1. You have 10 dollars and need to buy snacks at a gas station:
Ice cream, a sandwich, and fizzy water. If the money lasts (petrol station shops are notoriously extortionate).

2. If you were reincarnated as a sea creature, what would you want to be?
I don't care much as long as it is not something stuck to the bottom, like a shellfish or coral.

3. Last book you read?
John Boardman, The Greeks Overseas.

4. Describe the last time you were injured?
I cut myself shaving practically every day, and my fingers fairly often.

5. Of all your LJ friends, who would you want to be stuck in a well with?
Too many to mention. There are very few I would NOT.

6. What is the wallpaper on your cell phone? If you don't have a phone what would it be if you did have one?
It's kind of blueish.

7. If you could only use one form of transportation what would it be?
Train.

8. Most recent movie you have watched in the theatre?
I can't remember.

9. Name an actor/actress/singer you have the hots for:
Katie Mellua. Every time I see her I realize I had forgotten how beautiful she is. And, a very different type, Kim Carnes. She is in her sixties now, but twenty-five years ago she was the perfect blonde and more.

10. What's your favorite kind of cake?
All of them. But if I have to choose one above all others, then the unbelievable thing that is a really top-class cassata siciliana has to take pride of place.

11. Look to your left, what do you see?
Row upon row of classical, pop and jazz Cds. A few dozen DVDs and videos, a bookcase full of European literature, a stuffed red rag doll, a chair full of trousers in need of sewing, shoes, used socks, a small vacuum cleaner, and a broken TV

12. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
Unless I'm dead tired.

13. Favorite toy as a child?
Meccano, lego, trainsets, anything that allowed me to build things.

14. Do you think people talk about you behind your back?
Inevitably. I'm the kind who draws grudges. I can't do anything about it, so I ignore it.

15. Do you like running long distances?
I used to when I was younger. I could run ten K every day. NOw I would have to shed a lot of blubber, but I still think I would like to get back in training.

15. Have you ever eaten snow?
Of course.

16. What color are the sheets on your bed?
Green and white, mostly.

17. What is the first television theme song that pops in your head?
The old RAI news theme.

18. Do people consider you smart?
I think a few of them do.

19. How many piercings do you have?
Are you outta your ever-lovin' gourd????

20. What is your favorite salad dressing?
Olive oil, salt, shredded garlic, sometimes balsamic vinegar.