Hey Fanpoppers!

I know I'm still a rookie at this interview thing, but I'm starting to get the hang of it (I think) and to be honest I'm also developing a taste for asking a lot of questions. Muahahaha!..ahem..anyway..

She's a great individual, with interesting ideas, strong beliefs and she's very funny too. She has a way with words that lets her express her opinions very clearly and she's constantly mediating when some situations get out of hand; I'm sure a lot of you have seen it around Fanpop. She's a joy to talk to and most definitely made of awesome.

Anyway, she took some time out from her very busy schedule to answer a few questions, so we'd get to know her a bit better...so here's what I found out 'chatting' with Cinders...

Hi Carly! Thanks for agreeing to do this interview.

-Okay, the standard question here is: What's your Fanpop story?

My story is a classic one. A lot of links on the old tv-links site ended me here and I found that things were so neatly tagged. I saw the polls in the side of the screen watching Ugly Betty one day and said to myself, "Hey, Bradford is NOT more evil than Willamina!" and signed up for the privilege of answering picks. And it just spiraled out of control from there.


-You have a way with words, so try to describe yourself in 3 words:

Capricious Child-Like Traveler (is that three or four?)

Note: Is that a trick question?


-Traveler huh? Ok, you have traveled a lot, right? Which has been your favorite place and why?

I am Egyptian at heart and often in action. They are one of my favorite kinds of people as a culture because they are so over the top and genuine. When you meet an acquaintance on the street they will stop you and demand to know about your entire life, family and how your job is going. When they ask how you're doing, they really mean it. They have a sort of "inshallah" attitude, or a very laid back sort of "if it happens, it happens" which can be very soothing or frustrating depending on the circumstances but it's always fun. I love the food, shisha, and even just the smell of the air, which is mostly sand and car exhausts, but still... Yeah, it's great... Sorry, I can go on for hours about Egypt. But I love Belgium and Seattle too. They definitely make the top three.

-Awesome! So, what's the most important thing you've learned by traveling?

That even if you think you know a place, you never really do. And that everyone is worth meeting. Even if you don't get along or disagree, it's nice to get a radically different perspective on the world.

-Where are you from?

This is an impossible question to answer.

Note: As corny as it sounds, I guess home is where the heart is, right?

-What are you most passionate about?

As far as hobbies go... Theater, Writing, and Politics

Note: Politics? Hobby?..we are so on different wavelengths..j/k!


-Okay, tell us, which would be your Top Five spots:

*Low whistle* only five?

-Yup..only five, therein lies the challenge...

Er, in no particular order,link, link, Fanpop Users, link, and... link. Yeah, I'm a ape-lover.

Note: Aren't we all? :)


-Of the spots you've created, which one are you most proud of?

Folks may think the Debate spot, but in fact it's the link Spot.

-And there we were thinking it was the Debate spot, we've been punk'd, hahaha! Anyway, why that spot?

I just love what it stands for and finding links that can spread the word and help improve them. Though the Debate Spot really took off fast, and has seen some great discussions.


-What's your Fanpop forte?

Er... I like writing soapboxes. I feel like I've accomplished something when they're done.

-I personally love your link, I think it was very honest..but tell us which of your soapboxes gave you that sense of accomplishment?

Generally any article I had to do research for or check my notes... CSI's "link" took some constructing...link... "link"... "link," that one took me a few days. Personal stories are sometimes harder to write though, because facts are just facts. Some of my more personal soapboxes still make me a little nervous having them out there. So I won't name them. :oP. But I've written articles for entertainment purposes too. I've written them for link, link, link, and link. Yeah, good times, good times...

-What's the one movie or book, that you love and recommend?

Ah, this is too hard... HBO's link (available at the spot of the same name). Also, Mark Z. Danielewski's link. And Card's link. And Wag the Dog with DeNiro and Hoffman. What, did you just say one?


-An obsession...

My dog. Yeah, I have a bad case of puppy love. I even contemplated making him his own Facebook.


Wow, his own Facebook!..right, because he... needs..it? LOL! j/k!

-Okay, most of us know about your famous cookies, but for those who don't: What's in them? Love?

Ooh, if I answer that I may have to kill you. And I really would not enjoy killing you. I plead the fifth.
Note: Oh well, I thought I'd give it a shot; sorry guys!

-Do you march to the beat of your own drummer or do you go with the flow?

Well, I fall into routines easily and I feel like a sheep when I run to class with a few hundred other students... But I have my own mind and theories and love being spontaneous. So... a bit of both?


-What's the craziest thing you'd do for for money?..Umm, let's say..a million?

The craziest PG-13 rated thing I would do for money is probably... Hm, a million, you say? I once jumped into a lake in the middle of December fully clothed just on a dare, so... Probably something beyond that. I would eat strange foods, even insects... unless it was a cockroach. I have a pathological fear of cockroaches.


-What's the one thing you can't believe still happens in the world?

That people still support George W Bush for the sole reason that he lets them snowplow in Yellowstone Park (true story. Colorful people in Eastern Washington).


-You have one wish. What do you wish for?

World peace... Nah, just kidding. Probably to be happy in the long run, no matter where I end up.

Note: Good one! :)

-In your opinion, what does Fanpop have that you can't find in any other site?

A 99.99% welcoming community.


-Favorite thing about Fanpop and fanpoppers:

The Love.


-Let's play a game of word association. Are you up for it? Do I have a choice?

Umm, no! I was just being nice, haha! j/k!

Fanpop: Green
Debate: Podium
Love: Lost
Addiction: Pills
dazl: Sparkle
Dave: Smile
DarkSarcasm: Bob Marley
hooch-is-crazy: Shotgun
alinazeer: Photoshop

(My mind went weird places with that one)
Note: I wonder...

-Who is your hero?

You know, I find my heroes in the strangest places... I admire confidence and being comfortable with who you are. I also admire those true diamonds in the rough that seem to permanently hide in your peripheral vision. Oh, and myself. Also... my brother. But don't tell him that.

-All is fair in love and war, so...

...sleeping with the enemy is strategy, not promiscuity.

Note: Wow! Very creative answer! I love it!

-A word to the wise:

Oh, so many good quotes, none of which belong to me, but... “Years ago my mother used to say to me, she’d say, ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be’ - she always called me Elwood – ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.’ Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.”—Elwood Dowd (Jimmy Stewart), Harvey (1950).