The Friday Five

[blythely]

1. Have you ever been the president of anything?

I've been Director (appointed), and Secretary (voted), but not president. There's two academic societies that I think at some point I might stand for prez, but I'm having a few years off from voluntary leadership roles.

2. What do you think is the most important leadership trait?

The ability to sit with ambiguity, because nothing is ever clear-cut. (Including a single-most important trait for leaders).

3. What time period did you find the most interesting to learn about in history class?

At the time (high school) it would have been Aotearoa New Zealand history 1820-1900. We didn't really do "the Romans" or "Medieval Europe" etc. Looking back I wish I'd paid more attention in fifth form when we did 20th century China.

4. What's something you think about doing, but you haven't gotten back into in several years?

I've just recently got back into both sewing and fic writing which I had not done for many years. I've idly been considering rock climbing now I have good upper body strength. I am eternally trying to return to running and eternally stymied by illness or injury.

5. If you could add one more random holiday to February, what would it be?

Halfwaysies (Imbolc/Candlemas etc) - halfway between winter solstice and the spring equinox should absolutely be a holiday involving a nice long walk with a discussion about what crops to grown that year. People should give each other seeds.

Comments

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> The ability to sit with ambiguity, because nothing is ever clear-cut.<<

Oh, good one!

Most people seem to find that difficult or impossible. Me, I don't set a stance on a topic or issue until I can resolve a clear probability or preference. If the information is murky or conflicting, I figure there are probably multiple factors in play, and leave it as indeterminate. This confuses and occasionally enrages people.

>> At the time (high school) it would have been Aotearoa New Zealand history 1820-1900. <<

That one's interesting. I like prehistory and pre-invasion Turtle Island (North America).

>> We didn't really do "the Romans" or "Medieval Europe" etc. <<

I got that in Western Civilization, which taught me a lot about geopolitics and plotting a novel. Specifically, everything is geopolitics: what you have that your neighbors want and vice versa.

>> I've just recently got back into both sewing and fic writing which I had not done for many years.<<

Yay!

>> I've idly been considering rock climbing now I have good upper body strength.<<

Tree climbing is also an option, often easier and safer, thus a good starting point for more challenging types of climbing.

>> I am eternally trying to return to running and eternally stymied by illness or injury.<<

Bummer. What about hiking? It's much less stressful on the body, but good prep for running in case your health improves, and ideally you get nature exposure with it.

>> Halfwaysies (Imbolc/Candlemas etc) - halfway between winter solstice and the spring equinox should absolutely be a holiday involving a nice long walk with a discussion about what crops to grown that year. People should give each other seeds.<<

Brilliant. We've actually done seed blessing and distribution before, variously Imbolc or Ostara.