Amanda Bender

This is my interview with my "good friend" (read: sworn enemy) of many years, Amanda Bender. She is tops at being crazy awesome and is a sophomore at University of Maryland. She's my first interview, and probably not my last:

S4L: Can I interview you?
AB: Absolutely

S4L: Sweet. So, first question: As a college student, do you really care about world issues, or do you follow them to seem like you know what's going on?
AB: The first.

S4L: Ok, so what issues matter to you? Name like.. two?
AB: Hmm.. having soldiers in Iraq still, and overusing our resources

S4L: So if it bothers you that we still have soldiers in Iraq, you're probably also pretty peeved about the possibility that we might invade Iran?
AB: i don't exactly know the situation there, and what we would actually be doing there, how the people would think about the soldiers being there and treat them... so i cant say for sure

S4L: That makes sense. You are so levelheaded. I'm just grumpy. Anyway, if you could suggest one book to one person, what would you suggest? for who? and why?
AB: Hmm...good question..
S4L: Thanks.
AB: I haven't read for pleasure for a good while
S4L: That's okay, it doesn't have to be something you've read for pleasure. How much reading do you do in your classes anyway?
AB: Depends on the class. two chapters twice a week for film, a paper or two a week for linguistics... I'd say... the book you gave me. The Realm of Possibility to anyone..
S4L: Why?
AB: It's very thought-invoking

S4L: Whats the difference between invoking and provoking?
AB: Provoking's the one i was looking for
S4L: But aren't they the same thing anyway?
AB: I think invoking is calling on something for support, like invoking the right of such and such
provoking is stimulation

S4L: Good call. OK, is there anything you want to say before we round off our interview?
AB: Not that i know of. What is this interview for?
S4L: I want to interview people, I just thought I'd try it out. I might put it on my blog if that's okay with you?
AB: Sure.

AB: Are you curious about people's responses to those particular questions? or just want to ask people different questions about different things?
S4L: I want to ask people about anything. I'm starting with people I know first, and then I'm hoping to talk to anyone. Probably just people around. I'm trying to become a better listener... and I like to talk to people.
AB: okay

S4L: Does that sound silly?
AB: only a bit. People you don't know might not be willing unless you have a purpose
S4L: yeah, but some of them might, and who wants to interview grumbly people anyway?

AB: You can't be prejudiced like that =P
S4L: You can interview grumbly people if you want. I'd rather not, that's all I'm saying.
AB: Fair enough.

So, that was it. I also interviewed myself via introspection and my inner male pirate... but that hasn't posted yet. I don't really care who you are or what is up, but if you want to be interviewed, let me know. Shoot me an email at bellamorningglory@yahoo.com subject line "Interview."

kthnxbai.