Spotlight on...SweetErika

[unregistered]

 

[bailadora]

I was very fortunate that you agreed to give me editing help on one of my stories.

Oooo - I didn't know you wrote! Link? (sorry for the hijack, folks)

 

[bailadora]

If you knew you only had 24 hours left, how would you spend it?

 

[SweetErika]

given your experiences on lit, what advice do you have for a newcomer to lit generally?

ed

I'd tell them to get the lay of Litland by lurking first, then start participating in discussions.

1. What do you know about sex that you didn't know 12 months ago?

Very recently, I learned how couples get into not having sex for years on end. A little resentment, some hurtful words, and the sex life could go either way, depending on how the couple deals with it. Intellectually, experiencing coming to that crossroads was really interesting and informative to me.

2. What do you know about life in general that you didn't know 12 months ago?
Good question, but an answer isn't coming to me ATM.

And finally

3. If people had to take a test before they were allowed to have sex (to get their sex licence) what would you want to see on it?
Probably questions about STIs and birth control.

That said, I'd be much more likely to have people get licensed before they're allowed to have children than sex.

 

[SweetErika]

My new question for you (still book-related) is: Do you have a book, or books, that you find yourself reading often? Is there a book that you happily, even eagerly, open to any page and begin to read again?

Nope. I'm not much of a re-reader, or even a re-watcher of movies. My husband is, but I guess I prefer to branch out. That's why I love the library so much (and I do go in there and order books on its site eagerly).

If you knew you only had 24 hours left, how would you spend it?

Skydiving, then a party with everyone I love most.

On the practical side, I'd make sure I had my affairs in order, and if I knew it was likely to be a painful death, I'd make sure I had a plan in place to go quickly.

 

[bakedbeams]

Sweet Erika,

I'd like to jump in aswell and say thankyou for the amazing insight and wealth of knowledge you share with these forums.

 

[Cathleen]

Have you looked into becoming a sex-positive, kink-friendly therapist?

Damn, but I love your posts!


Hey Erika, when are the Rainier cherries heading east?

 

[SweetErika]

Hey Erika, when are the Rainier cherries heading east?

Some headed to the UK today, so it should be any time now. It really depends on what deals the stores in your area and national chains have arranged. I haven't seen them yet, but the WA/OR crop is running late this year, so I suspect the Rainiers won't really start up until after the 4th.

I'll see what I can find out for you tomorrow.

 

[Cathleen]

Some headed to the UK today, so it should be any time now. It really depends on what deals the stores in your area and national chains have arranged. I haven't seen them yet, but the WA/OR crop is running late this year, so I suspect the Rainiers won't really start up until after the 4th.

I'll see what I can find out for you tomorrow.

You're so cute. The stores here pretty much put them a locked bag so I don't eat them all before paying...damn they're soooo good, just like you.

 

[SweetErika]

You're so cute. The stores here pretty much put them a locked bag so I don't eat them all before paying...damn they're soooo good, just like you.

Yep, and the bags and clamshell packages hide imperfections, too.

Hubby said there are some now, but they should really start up next week. Usually the first ones aren't the best (this year a lot of growers have too much fruit and are picking underripe stuff so they don't fall behind) and are the highest price, but I don't know enough about this year's Rainier crop to advise you on when you're best off ponying up the cash for them.

I never buy them because even here they're very expensive. A good Bing or Crystalina is better than a so-so or beat-up Rainier any day, IMO.

 

[Sarojaede]

What's your favorite time of day?

Are you a coffee person? If so, how do you take it?

What's your favorite "county fair" (or such type festival) food? (Sorry, I have food on the brain because I've been reading the list of activities and food vendors for our 4th of July celebration.)

 

[silverwhisper]

erika, you've been on lit for a while. in that time, have you ever physically met another lit member besides your husband?

ed

 

[Eilan]

I apologize if this is too personal of a question, but I think you've mentioned that your parents divorced when you were younger. What have you learned about relationships from what happened with your parents?

And on a lighter note, what are you doing for the 4th?

 

[Cathleen]

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

 

[SweetErika]

What's your favorite time of day?

It varies between morning and evening, often by season or what I'm doing during any given phase of my life. I've never really been fond of afternoons, though.

Are you a coffee person? If so, how do you take it?

Often a travel mug or two in the morning, but it's not something I have to have.

I drink it various ways, but always with some form of milk (regular, chocolate, light eggnog) and never black. I also never get coffee drinks or buy any type of coffee from Starbucks (if I'm forced to go there, I'll get tea). I was a barista as a teen and I can't stomach the thought of lattes and such OR bring myself to pay the outrageous prices for specialty drinks.

What's your favorite "county fair" (or such type festival) food? (Sorry, I have food on the brain because I've been reading the list of activities and food vendors for our 4th of July celebration.)

I don't think they have them anymore, but when I was growing up, they used to have Colossal Waffle Cones with hard ice cream and a bunch of toppings. Now it seems everyone locally has switched to soft-serve, which totally takes the fun out of it for me (a lot of it was picking the flavors, watching them load up the cone with scoops, etc.).

When I very rarely go to the fair, if I get anything at all, it's usually a roasted ear of corn on the cob. Hubby gets an Elephant Ear, and sometimes we'll share, but I think those have gone downhill, too.

My preference is to bring my own food and water, though. There's no food that makes the fair for me, and I'd rather have a decent meal on the way home than roll out of the fair feeling sick and ripped off.

 

[SweetErika]

erika, you've been on lit for a while. in that time, have you ever physically met another lit member besides your husband?

ed

Yep, I've been very lucky to meet a handful of other Litsters in person.

TBH, I'm likely to meet any semi-established Litster who doesn't strike me as creepy or malicious in a safe, public place. So, I jump at the opportunities when I can, especially when they involve HT'ers.

I apologize if this is too personal of a question, but I think you've mentioned that your parents divorced when you were younger. What have you learned about relationships from what happened with your parents?

Yeah, they went to court on my 10th birthday. I had massive infections in both ears that day, too, so it was the worst birthday ever.

But I think I've learned to not tolerate abuse and unhappy relationships. At least I feel like I have healthier relationship ideals and practices than my mom did most of my childhood (and maybe even now - she's kind of gone to the other extreme, where her standards are almost impossibly high ).

All of the scars I can find are from my parents marriage, rather than their divorce. That leads me to believe I've learned the importance of modeling healthy relationships to children and working in their best interest, regardless of what happens during the marriage.

And on a lighter note, what are you doing for the 4th?

I don't know yet. We're on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge right now, so we might drive over to the next town and watch the fireworks over the river, like we did last year. It's not a big holiday for us for a variety of reasons, so we never really make plans in advance.

How about you?

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

I have a bunch of favorites, depending on my mood, the season and what, if anything, I'm pairing it with. Like:

Summer heat = Wendy's Chocolate Frosty (I'm still trying to perfect my version of the almighty Frosty when I'm home)

Winter Holidays and Fruit Desserts = Homemade Vanilla Bean Brown Sugar Spice

Just plain eating = Mocha Almond Fudge



Hubby brought back a complimentary 15lb box of the most beautiful Rainiers today. A bunch are in our minifridge for snacks, but we gave about half to our favorite hotel manager and her staff. If I could send some to you with a reasonable assurance they'd arrive well, I would!

 

[silverwhisper]

erika, do you anticipate ever posting another story? :>

ed

 

[Eilan]

I don't know yet. We're on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge right now, so we might drive over to the next town and watch the fireworks over the river, like we did last year. It's not a big holiday for us for a variety of reasons, so we never really make plans in advance.

How about you?

Meh. I don't know. My oldest daughters are going with my ex. They'll be able to see his town's fireworks from his back yard, weather permitting.

My aunt and uncle invited us to a cookout, but it's about 40 minutes away and I'm not particularly close to that branch of the family. If we go, it'll be to keep my mom company.

 

[Mac98]

9. what profession would you not like to do?

"I wouldn't like burning monkeys."

"Nor they, you."


LOLLLL epic!


And as far as the thread is concerned, I haven't been here long but from what I've noticed, SweetErika is really helpful. I can't say anything that hasen't already been said, but quite an asset to Lit.com indeed. Thanks a million.

 

[Phaedre]

As a sporadic poster but fairly regular lurker I have to add to the compliments as I am always impressed by the consideration you give to other posters.


Do you have a favourite genre of book to read?

What (if any) are your favourite television programmes? And if you don't enjoy tv how else do you spend your leisure time?

 

[Thumpingrug]

I would just like to add my appreciation as well. Again I have been lurking for years and I have learnt a huge amount from this site and directly from Erica.

Thank you.

You clearly have much more interesting ice cream flavors than we do here in the UK.

 

[silverwhisper]

erika, you've always struck me as a bit of a foodie. is there a particular resturant in which you'd most like to dine?

ed

 

[SweetErika]

erika, do you anticipate ever posting another story? :>

ed

Yes. Other stuff has just gotten in the way thus far. And my particular process for creative and assignment writing has always involved the (sometimes very slow) percolation of ideas, then riding the giant wave once certain sentences start to form. I can't force it at all (nor would I want to), though having a deadline gets me thinking about it more.

I'm in the process of letting ideas bounce around more now, so we'll just have to see when the right one declares itself and the sentences start to pour out. I'm hoping I'll have something worthwhile to submit by this fall.

 

[satindesire]

What's the best holiday or birthday gift you've ever been given?

 

[SweetErika]

Do you have a favourite genre of book to read?

For pleasure, I tend to go for all sorts of different thrillers.

What (if any) are your favourite television programmes? And if you don't enjoy tv how else do you spend your leisure time?

Right now, I like several news & commentary shows, some of the cable series (e.g. Raising the Bar, The Closer, Royal Pains) and a bunch of stuff on the more "educational" channels. I like TV when I have it, but don't really miss it when I don't.

You clearly have much more interesting ice cream flavors than we do here in the UK.

I'm not sure what flavors you have there, but while we likely have a greater selection, we probably don't have much more interesting flavors in general.

The ones I referred to above, with the exception of the Mocha Almond Fudge, are ice creams I make myself. I bought an ice cream maker a couple of years ago because I was fed up with all of the utter crap in most commercial ice cream. Result: We eat less overall and enjoy it more. And I love having the ability to control the ingredients, nutrition profile and make flavors that aren't available elsewhere.

erika, you've always struck me as a bit of a foodie. is there a particular resturant in which you'd most like to dine?

ed

I'm interested in food, but very rarely eat out. I guess it's more of an intellectual and home cooking oriented interest than anything else.

What's the best holiday or birthday gift you've ever been given?

Time and experiences. Like Hubby and I usually put the time and money we'd spend on birthday and other gifts into our shared hobbies, weekends away and vacations together.