Christina's December 2025 Five Questions
gemini://zaibatsu.circumlunar.space/~christina/2025-12-5Q.txt

1. Is there anything from 100 yers ago you'd like to see revived today?
Humourosly, my maternal grandmother. If recreated from 100 years ago she would be a few months younger than my daughter and I think the two would get along.
More seriously, green woodworking and the rural craftsmanship that has built 
bookcases and chairs I remember in the homes of aunts and uncles when I was a child. More sturdy and more vibrant and pleasing than the Ikea disposable items I have in my office.

2. What's the best book you've read so far this year?
Dune by Frank Herbert. It has taken my wife almost 30 years to convince me to read it and she was right, it is brilliant. I am also enjoying the escapism and imagining hikes I'm reading in Bothy by Kat Hill but I haven't finished it yet.

3. What's your favourite musical discovery this year?
Late one evening I was wondering if there was a medieval/early music equivalent to Celtic Fusion like Peatbog Faeries or Afro Celt Sound System and stumbled belatedly into Medieval Folk Rock and the likes of Gryphon and Tri Yann. It scratches my itch for something strange but familiar, and I find it ideal for long sessions of writing at work or late nights messing with computers.

4. Share up to five of your favourite 'foreign language' terms and expressions.
I once miss-spoke to my neighbours in Berlin and said instead of saying I'd seen squirrels (Eichhornchen) in the park I said "Einhornchen" (little unicorns) which they and I have never forgotten.
An actual German phrase I like is "Wissen, wie der Hase lauft". This means "To know how the hare/rabbit runs" in the context of knowing the lay of the land or having the relevant knowledge or experience. It appeals to my rural roots and love of Watership Down-esque rabbit lore.

5. You can have one person from any time in history call you for advice and follow what you tell them to do. Whom would you like to have call you?
I'm going to have to have a longer think on this one. With only one call do I end wars, warn of national or international disasters, or prevent the spread of devastating deseases that killed and continue to kill? It's too complex a question for a quick answer.