I was recently tagged by some fellow Blogger friends, to do the “25 Questions About Me: Get To Know Me Tag”. I always enjoy reading everyone’s answers to these questions, and it’s a really good way to get to know Bloggers a bit better. Just in case any of you guys were curious about some other parts of my life, other than my book obsessions.. here you go <3

Check back soon for my May Wrap Up! I’ve read SO many good ones this month, can’t wait to tell you all about it.

xo,

Carly.1.) What is your full name? Carly-Michelle Ingram

2.) What is your favorite place you have ever traveled to? Paris, followed by Maui as a close second. I always knew I would love Paris, and I had really romanticized the idea of it in my head before we went. It was everything I dreamed and more. If I could live anywhere else other than Vancouver, it would be Paris.

3.) When was the last time you cried? Last night watching my new favorite show “Gaycation”, which is a documentary-style show on Viceland. Ellen Page and her best friend Ian travel all around the world with VICE, interviewing the LGBT communities in places like Jamaica, India, France, and all over parts of the U.S & Canada. This show is seriously INCREDIBLE. Absolutely heartbreaking to watch, some very very difficult scenes. Ellen and Ian meet with people to help them come out to their families, and they even speak with a man who is responsible for murdering SEVERAL people from the LGBT community. They are so incredibly brave, and the show is brave. Just amazing. I can’t make it through an episode without crying, it’s very difficult to watch sometimes. It celebrates the great progress we have made in terms of LGBT rights, and it also showcases the areas that are still horrifically stuck in the past. 10/10

4.) Favorite Movie?  Agh this question is so hard and limiting haha! I can answer this but I’ll just have to say a few…

All Time/Recent: Lord of the Rings, Like Crazy, Factory Girl, I’m Not There, Control, Trainspotting, Troll-Hunter, The Hunt, It Follows, Let The Right One In, Get Out, Sucker Punch, Alpha Dog, Inception, Shutter Island… I could go on and on and on. I’ll stop.5.) Can You Cook? No. I mean kind of. Not really haha. I can make a FEW things somewhat well… but thank GOD for my boyfriend Ryan. The man can cook. He used to work at an Italian restaurant when he was a kid and his pasta is out of this world. I can bake though! I don’t do it that often, because I’m not the biggest fan of cakes etc. If I make them, I’ll have one or two, and then poor Ryan is left with like 25 more cupcakes to eat all to himself. But baking for an event?? I’m your girl. My fav thing to bake is a cupcake recipe my best friend Tina gave to me… It’s vanilla/ or chocolate cupcakes, baked with an OREO and peanut butter inside. It’s amazing. Also ridiculously easy.

6.) Biggest Fear? Flying hands down. I know it sounds so stupid and insane, but it’s got to be flying. I love to travel so much, and I feel so grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had recently to travel so much, but it’s one of those feelings/fears that you can’t shake. I know flying is so safe, and that everyone always says “driving is so much more dangerous than flying, your odds are way better” etc etc. I totally 100% agree with them, but nothing can stop  that fear.. that DREAD that takes over as soon as the plane starts revving up to take off. I hate flying so much. When I went to University in Kelowna B.C, I used to take a 10 hour bus ride home, instead of a 45 minute flight. If I could have taken a bus to Mexico, I honestly would have. Just thinking about this is making me anxious. Other fears include, but are not limited to…. someone I love dying, being locked in a freezer, someone spoiling the end of a book for me.. and driving. I don’t have my drivers license, which some of you may not know. This is really embarrassing at my age, but whatever. I took the “Drivers Ed” classes when I was 16, and the instructor told me I was the WORST student he had ever had, and that I was so dangerous on the road. After that I moved away for school, and then ended up living in Downtown Vancouver (where I have lived for the past 10 years), and I’ve always just walked/taken the sky-train anywhere I needed to go. It doesn’t hurt that my boyfriend and best friends/sister.. all have cars… Basically I’m just stunted in this particular area, and Ryan assures me “self-driving cars on on the way”, so I’m just going to hold out for that, hahaha!

7.) Biggest Pet Peeves? Negativity in any form. Also judgmental people. Life is hard, we all screw up.. don’t judge people, and just don’t be an asshole. Other than that I’m all about it. Well most of it anyway.8.) Most Liked and Most Hated Subject in High-School? Okay first off most hated was probably hands down Gym or “Strength and Conditioning” as they called it at my school. I love working out, and I don’t have anything against exercise.. but in high-school I just HATED it. It always fell somewhere between third and fourth period, and I didn’t want to start sweating mid-day. That sounds just so UGH, but you guys know what I mean. I was an awkward high-school nerd, and listen I didn’t need to add sweating into my situation. One of my most embarrassing/ most cherished memories from that class has got to be the time my best friend and I got caught hiding in a drive-way near the school, during the “school run”. We were just laying down in the driveway trying to avoid running 10 KM  and wanting to die. The teacher busted us and it was so so so so awkward. He hated us so much.

My most loved subject is probably no surprise…. It was English and English Literature. I loved my teachers so much, and the reading material was just perfect.

9.) Favorite Quote? This is hard, but there is one that has always stood out to me. It has to be this….

(“[…]the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!”)- Jack Kerouac “On The Road”

10.) Most prized material possession? Something you can’t live without? My camera. That sounds so obvious, but no joke that thing has become almost like another limb. I always have it with me, always. Obviously at first everyone I know was like “enough photos of me OK”, but you know what?! Every single one of them has told me that they are so glad they have all these memories to look back on. That is probably the thing I love most about my job.. is just capturing these big moments and knowing the people I love will cherish them forever. Just my favorite thing. Other than the camera, is has to be the family ring my Dad had made for all of us, or the vintage camera my Mom got for me. I’m a VERY sentimental person. Seriously if you have ever either dated me or sent me a letter of any type, I’ve got it saved. I have every SINGLE note my best friend sent me in high-school, and this was pre-texting. I’m out of control.. But I’ve got everything shoved into a tasteful black little box, so it’s ok?! Probably still so creepy but whatever, I love it. I can’t wait to look back through everything in that box in ten years time.

11.) What’s Your Background? Okay this is actually a question I get all the time. I actually had a woman on Instagram harass me recently.. she was aggressively mad at me and fighting with me about the fact that I was “hiding my Asian heritage under blonde hair dye”. Okay so firstly, I wish more than anything I had some exotic Asian genetics, but I don’t at all :(. Ever since I was a little girl I have had people asking me if I’m half Asian, and I wish that I was.. but I’m not! My family is very very Irish, and very very much from Newfoundland. My Dad is from Alberta, and my Mom from Newfoundland. This woman on Instagram was MAD at me, it was actually so scary. I mean obviously my hair is fake blonde, but whatever makes you feel good right? I hate any kind of shaming/trolling online in any form. I’ve had red hair, black hair, purple hair…you should never give anyone shit for dyeing it. Especially when the person in questions Sister is a Hair-Dresser. I plan to have wild hair forever, so get used to it. You guys are always asking me about the Asian thing, and I’m so sad I don’t have a more interesting story for you.

12.) What does a typical Saturday look like for you? Okay so most weekends it’s usually this…. Wake up late, go for Brunch with Ryan, take photos, watch Netflix, play World of Warcraft, reading, going out with friends, watching more Netflix, lurking around on Instagram, more Netflix, more eating.. and then BED! I’m so fascinating I know. Haha, NOT.

13.) What attracts you to someone? Absolutely 100% sense of humor. I’m kind of a creep and I need someone who can get down with that. Physical stuff is all good too, but if you can make me laugh that’s all I care about. Basically if we watch “Broad City” or “Curb your Enthusiasm” and you aren’t dying laughing, we probably shouldn’t be friends.

14.) What is your favorite TV Show? Okay this is like the MOVIE question. Too many!!! Okay but top 10?

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, actually changed my life. I feel like I AM Larry David. I feel like we can ALL relate to his social-assassin like behavior. This show makes me laugh so hard I can’t breathe. If Larry David ever wants a new wife, I’m interested. Sorry Ryan. He loves Larry so much too, I think he would be on board.

GAME OF THRONES, I mean.. What to say? Best show ever ever. Also I went platinum blonde for this reason alone.

BROAD CITY, Ohmygod just so funny. Abby is just everything.

Recent TV FAVS/ 13 REASONS WHY, GAYCATION, BROADCHURCH, BREAKING BAD, DEXTER, etc etc

The O.C/One Tree Hill/ My So-Called Life/ Felicity, Childhood FAVS that I will never apologize for.

15.) Best place to eat Brunch, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks in Vancouver? Okay I’m obviously breaking this down. I’m not a selective bitch, WHY IS THIS QUIZ SO HARD?!

Breakfast/Brunch– Cafe Medina, Twisted Fork, Provence, Flying Pig (and probably a million I’m missing. I’m SORRY)

Lunch– Meat & Bread, Nuba, Tacofina, Nandos (Big Fan), Whole Foods Food Court… I don’t know Quiznos, if they still exist. I fucking love the Classic Italian sandwich.

Dinner- Vij’s, West, Rodney’s, The Fish Shack, Paulie’s… etc etc. Also did I already mention Nando’s? I fucking LOVE that place.

16.) Do you want kids?  I think so! One day for sure. Ry and I have been so blessed with two perfect nephews this past year or so, and it’s good practice. Also my beautiful cousin Jane just gave birth to a perfect little boy! I sometimes feel like even though I’m in my 20’s I’m still like a kid myself. I’m sure everyone feels this way, right? Maybe it’s because I can’t cook or drive to save my life! I always feel like I’m an overgrown baby, that poor Ryan has to deal with. My Mom is the most wonderful woman in the world, and I am who I am because of her.  I know I would love being a mother more than anything, I think I’m just scared. I’m scared for the life-changes and for the actual life of the other HUMAN BEING. I know one day it will all be perfect, but I might need to learn how to drive first.

17.) Favorite Book? I KNEW this was coming. You guys know I can’t answer this. Okay…. I’ll do an assorted favorites from the last 10 years….

The Fault in our Stars, The Hypnotist, My Voice in Your Head, Sharp Objects, Milk and Honey, Only Ever Yours, All The Bright Places, The Hunger Games, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, The Good Girl, Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, Eat Pray Love, Animal Farm……. ETC!

Seriously I can’t keep going.

18.) Any Tattoos? Yes I have 9 actually!

19.) Fav Holiday? HANDS DOWN Halloween! The last TWO YEARS I’ve been away out of town travelling during Halloween, and all my costume ideas have kind of fallen away. I desperately want to dress up as Daenerys Targaryen, Lydia from Beetle-juice & Yo-Landi from Die Antwoord. All of these three costumes are in my future, 100%!

20.) Fav store? I mean obviously you guys must know I spend all my money at Chapters. Other than that I love Oak and Fort, Brandy Mellville & Noul.  Other than that I really enjoy a good Forever 21 scene. Forever 21 came THROUGH for my Mexico trip!

21.) Ever been heartbroken? Ugh, I mean obviously. Who hasn’t?! I have a lot of deep memories of blasting Avril Lavigne and feeling VERY sorry for myself, back in 2002?

22.) Who makes you laugh the most? My Sister Paige. We are almost like twins, even though we are FOUR YEARS APART! I don’t know how I existed for FOUR years without you?!?!?! We are the same person.. in every single important way. Just the best friend, most wonderful person, best hairdresser, best thing EVER. I love you.

23.) What do you love most about Blogging? Interaction. Enthusiasm… Everything. I have met SO many people through the “Online Book Community”, and I’m part of like FIVE book-clubs! “Book-Tube” as it’s more commonly known has changed my life. I love that so many thousands of people are into the same random shit as me. I love you guys. Thanks for caring at all about books, or about me.. or just for being curious enough to stalk this post/ me at all. I love it. I love a good stalk. Get in there! Seriously guys, I love you all so much thanks so much for giving a shit.

24.) How long have you been into Photography/Blogging? I first got my little taste of the Photography world in 2008? A beloved friend of mine was an incredible local Vancouver photographer, and he allowed me to assist him on some shoots! I was addicted almost immediately. Being a photographer for a living, almost ten years later is like a dream come true. I get to capture peoples most intimate, personal and important moments… and it’s what I live for.

25.) Name the 10 things you love the MOST this week? Okay here goes..

Ryan

My Mom & Dad

My Sister’s Paige, Lori & Lisa

My Bother’s in Law Luke, Mark, Dale, Dwain, & Kyle

My Sister’s in Law Danielle and Candice.

Quade, Liam, Zander, Nicole, Claudia, Ethan, Tyson, Ethan & Megan

13 Reasons Why, Gay-cation, Vikings, Friends, The Wire, Master of None, Broad City, etc etc.

Chicken Fingers

Diet Coke.

I fucking love you guys all so much, and if you actually read this far…lets just get married already!

xoxoxo

Carly.