NotW #88 - Maria TunVrrtep

[Maria TunVrrtep]

Who are you?

Spoiler

Tell us about yourself! Where are you coming from, what languages do you speak, what do you do, how old are you, tell us a few words about your family, work etc. This is the job interview part.

Kaltxì frapo!  I am Maria Bulgarelli Buchanan.  Around here I'm known as Maria TunVrrtep.  I am 45 and I live outside Houston, TX.  I'm a college student at University of Phoenix, majoring in Accounting.  I am currently working for H&R Block as an Office Manager.  I love doing taxes.  There is a kind of logical order to doing them and I love things that stay in order.  (That makes sense since I was diagnosed as slightly OCD.)  I also absolutely detest chaos. (Also makes sense since I was diagnosed as ADD.  I know they don't normally go together, but for me they do.)

Why are you here?

Spoiler

What brought you here to the Learn Na'vi forum in the first place? Did you fall in love with the language? With Pandora? With a character? Did someone invite you? Or did you stumble upon this site? Once here, why did you decide to stay? How much time do you spend here every day?

Hmmmmm well, that's actually pretty easy to answer.  A friend told me about the site.  I had not seen the movie in the theaters yet, but I had the dvd (the original version) at home and had watched it so many times, I think I started to wear it out.  HRH I went to the site and found a bunch of interesting people.  I was really, really quiet for a couple of weeks at first.  I'll bet no one remembers Tumpin.  But when I told my friend I had joined the site, he asked what my id was and I told him and he said "Oh that doesn't fit." And proceeded to help me find a new name. 
Anyway, why am I here?  Well I love Avatar.  It really didn't start out as the language for me.  It was the world, the people, everything.  I wasn't nearly as interested in the language as I am now.

Where do your alias and profile pic come from?

Spoiler

Do they have a special significance? Is you alias a translation of your real name, or just a bunch of random letters thrown together? Is that you on your profile pic?

My current alias is Maria TunVrrtep.  I personally think it fits.  Maria the Red Demon seems to fit my personality.  Maria is my mundane first name (Oh wow anyone in the SCA is gonna recognize that term.)  TunVrrtep is what came out of that time that my friend sat with me to find me a name. 
The picture is me.  Although a bit heavier than I am now.  It was taken by a friend who thought that a pic of me on another site was not good enough.  That dress is way too big on me now (YAY!!!) and I am happy that I will be needing a new pic at some point in the near future.

Srak nga tsun nìna'vi pivlltxe?

Spoiler

How well? Why did you start to learn it? What is your ultimate goal with the language? Do you have specific methods/tools you use in learning the language? How did your friends, family, or colleagues react to your interest in learning Na'vi? Have you told them at all? Have you converted any of them?

HUH?  Oh that's right do I speak the language.  Ummmm well ... not well.  Actually not really at all.  I can say Hi.  I can say Fwäkì ke fwefwi (mostly because I just love saying that).  I can probably pick apart a sentence if I have it written, with the help of the dictionary and NiaN.  I just can't seem to remember the vocabulary and infixes really confuse the heck out of me.

What's you favorite Na'vi word? Did you incorporate it (or others) into your everyday vocab?

Yes I do have a favorite word.  It's one of the other words I can say without thinking.  Tsahaylu.  I do use it in my everyday vocabulary mostly because I know the feeling.  Because I am Wiccan, I have a very definite knowledge of what tsahaylu feels like.  I wish I could show everyone what it is, but alas ...

In your opinion, what are the top three user-created content on the LN website?

Spoiler

Anything from the main site, the wiki, or the forum including language docs, threads, quotes, literary works, images, etc.

Navi in a Nutshell – I use that  a lot when I'm trying to remember how the infixes work.  The Dictionary – I use that a lot as well as the online vocabulary thing.  I usually need to look up words.  Kaltxì Palulukan's workbooks are wonderful and I have those downloaded as well.  I'm also a huge fan of the Avatar Nation Podcasts now that I have figured out where they are.

Have you made any contributions to the LN community that you're particularly proud of?

Spoiler

What made you make those? Do you plan on contributing (again) in the future? How?

Hmmm ... well I am involved in a little project that has been put on a back burner.  It's a kind of handbook on how the site works.  It's nothing to do with the language, just a kind of guide for new users to find stuff and figure out how to use all the features on the site.  How many of you know how to get on the IRC for example?  How many even knew we had an IRC server? 

What is it that you liked/hated the most about Avatar ?

Spoiler

How many times have you seen it? How big of an Avatard are you? Prove it!

I don't really like the way this question is worded.  I don't really have anything that I hated about the movie.  I can see the use of each character in the movie.  There has to be a bad guy in any movie, doesn't there?  Just like there has to be a hero.  What I LIKED is easier ... I liked the way the movie showed me a place that wasn't overpopulated, a place where people wanted the children they had, a place where the people loved their Mother.  Again as a Wiccan, it hurts me that we care so little for our Mother, the Earth.  I want everyone to see the world as a living being, as I do.  Many do not. 

Has Avatar  changed your life in any way?

Spoiler

Are you trying to become a Na'vi? How and to what extent? Do you live on a tree? Do you wear your hair in a long braid? Or are you just simply blue? Do you bond with animals? Is Gaia on your contact list? Did you have your photo 'shopped?

Yes.  It's made me more aware of the fact that there are people who care about our Mother.  It's also brought to light some issues around the world that would not have been seen because they aren't happening in my backyard. 

If you could ask Frommer or Cameron three movie or language related questions what would they be?

Spoiler

You can make requests specific words/expressions too.

Dr. Frommer – why isn't there a word for the verb to love? 
Cameron – Can I sing the movie theme for the next movie?  I'm a classically trained soprano.
Dr. Frommer – What is YOUR favorite word in the Na'vi language?

What else do you do in you free time?

Free time?  What's that?  Between school, work, SCA, the forums, ballroom dancing and taking care of two handicapped parents there's barely enough time to sleep.  Oh wait, I guess you meant the SCA and Ballroom dancing part huh?

Name your top three favorite Earth animals from most favorite to least. Why those? What's the animal you're most terrified of?

1.    Elephants – spiritually they symbolize loyalty and family values.  They are very special to me.  The elephant is my animal totem.
2.   Cats – any kind, large or small.  But my little Shadow-girl is my Palulukansyìp.  She actually looks like a palulukan and I swear James Cameron had a hidden camera on her when she hunts to see what the palulukan should act like when hunting.
3.   Dolphins – I just think that any of the marine mammals are interesting, but dolphins are in my opinion the most beautiful of them.  And I will never forget the story of that little boy, Elien Gonzalez who survived at sea for (How many days was that – I forget).  But he said that the dolphins stayed with him and kept him floating when he wanted to let go of what he was holding to.
Terrifying – Well I'm not really afraid of any animals.  There are creatures I don't really like much.  Like most bugs.  But they have a place in our world and as long as they aren't in my house where they don't belong, I don't care what they do.  Maybe fire ants because they hide and when you're trying to do some gardening they swarm out and bite you when you least expect it.

Pirate, ninja, zombie, or robot?

Spoiler

Something else? Maybe a combo? Exactly what subtype? Why? (For those of you not so versed in trash tropes, this question basically amounts to asking "What superpowers would you like to have?")

Why can't I be a vampire?  I want to be Scarlatta Giovanni.  She's a kick butt vampire.  (Ok I used to play some Vampire: The Masquerade too)

What three items would you take to a desert island and why?

Spoiler

Anything from books, movies, games, instruments, music, sporting equipment, etc. You'd be provided with means to fully utilize the chosen items – electricity, MP3 player, etc. –, but you couldn't use them for anything else. Escape is not possible.

Hmmmmmmmmmm a great dance partner (Preferably one of my teachers at Arthur Murray, the young cute single ones – hehehe I'm single I'm allowed.) along with every bit of good dance music I can find and a way to play it, all of my books and my e-reader, and lots of Cabo Wabo tequilia.

If you could travel to anywhere in space and time (including fictional universes), where would you go and why?

Hmmmmmmmmm You know I'm not too sure about that.  There are so many places I'd like to visit, but I'd only want to visit them, I wouldn't want to stay.  I'd love to see the Star Trek universe, but I'd also love to travel to 1450's Florence Italy and watch the rise of the Medici family.  I'd love to see the dinosaurs and find out what really happened to them.  But I'd just want to see them and then come home.  I wouldn't want to stay.  Especially in 1450's Italy where I'd probably be burned as a witch (which I really am, but they'd do it because I'd tell them what they could do with their rules about women).

If you were granted one single wish what would it be?

You know I've seen people say different things to this.  A million more wishes seems to be the smart-aleck answer.  Y'all know I'm a smart-aleck.  But I really don't know what I'd wish for.  Probably something absolutely, totally self-centered, like being 28 forever but with all the knowledge I have now, and the energy and the body I had when I was 16.  In other words I want to be a woman turned into a vampire when she was 28, but who looks like she's 16 and has all the knowledge of her many years.  Wow, I'm back to Scarlatta Giovanni.

What is a question you'd ask yourself? How would you answer it?

Q – Why?
A – I don't know.

True or false?

Spoiler

Write three statements about yourself, the more extravagant the better. At least one of them must be true. At the end of the week, you'll have to tell which ones were truthful and which made up.

1.   I saved myself from an attempted car-jacking because I carried my gun for the first time that night.
2.   On a cruise to Jamaica and Grand Cayman, the ship I was on rescued a group of Cuban refugees.
3.   I can speak Elvish.

What is the funniest, weirdest, or most embarrassing Na'vi or Avatar  related thing that has happened to you?

Spoiler

Something along the lines of a MLIA short.

Wow, I guess I've lived a sheltered life here on the forums.  I haven't had anything weird, funny or embarrassing happen to me.  Maybe because I've done some incredibly embarrassing things in my life and nothing really embarrasses me anymore.  I have tried to explain to a friend from high school who now lives in LA why he should come to the next meetup.  He was looking at my pics from July 2011 and he saw a pic from the BSG exhibit and said he wanted to be a cylon.  That led to an entire conversation on the pic in which I tried to convince him that he should come to the July 2012 meetup.  I'm still not sure if I'll convince him to come.  But he's a really nice guy and I hope to see him again someday.  That really has absolutely nothing to do with Avatar, except that it started because of a pic I took at the July 2011 meetup.  LOL.  I really don't know.

My question for you is, what should we know about your part in the Avatar Meet? What are you working on and/or what are you most excited about?

Spoiler

Asked by the previous NotW.

I don't really have an official part in the Meetup in July 2012.  I do have some pictures that I took at the last meetup that I plan on making into enlargements and sending out to the nice people at the museum.  However, that's the biggest part I will be playing in the Meetup.  Honestly, now that I'm graduating a bit sooner than I expected to be, I'm not even sure if I'll make it to the next one.  If I can be there, I will be, but I can't guarantee anything at the moment.

[Tirea Aean]

Hey there! I'm currently in Houston until Sunday.

grats on NoTW! Bout dang time

[Maria TunVrrtep]

Hey there! I'm currently in Houston until Sunday.

grats on NoTW! Bout dang time

Thanks.  Hey you want to get together some night this week?  Let me know.  I'd love to meet you in person. 

Let me know.  Any night is good.  I'd even skip a Friday night dance for this.  Although you could come to the dance with me.  LOL

[Jane MacMillan]

The infixes frustrate me too. I sat down with a bunch of flashcards to try to find patterns, and that sort of helped me.
I'm going to guess true, true, and false for your questions.

[Tirea Aean]

Hey there! I'm currently in Houston until Sunday.

grats on NoTW! Bout dang time

Thanks.  Hey you want to get together some night this week?  Let me know.  I'd love to meet you in person. 

Let me know.  Any night is good.  I'd even skip a Friday night dance for this.  Although you could come to the dance with me.  LOL

aw really? well im horrible at dancing, got these two right feet. but it'd be cool to maybe say hi and hang out for a little. i'm mainly here to visit and hang out with dad and see my newborn halfsister

[Maria TunVrrtep]

aw really? well im horrible at dancing, got these two right feet. but it'd be cool to maybe say hi and hang out for a little. i'm mainly here to visit and hang out with dad and see my newborn halfsister

Well a newborn half sister is a lot more important than me.     But if you want to get together, let me know.  I'll PM you my cell number.  

[Blue Elf]

Seykxel sì nitram, ma Maria Have a nice week!

About T/F statements - they are interesting, I must try to throw coin to find answers

1.   I saved myself from an attempted car-jacking because I carried my gun for the first time that night.
2.   On a cruise to Jamaica and Grand Cayman, the ship I was on rescued a group of Cuban refugees.
3.   I can speak Elvish.

1.   Hmm, I can't imagine gun in your hands.... Tsleng
2.   Could be, Ngay
3.   Ngay?

[Maria TunVrrtep]

Seykxel sì nitram, ma Maria Have a nice week!

About T/F statements - they are interesting, I must try to throw coin to find answers

1.   I saved myself from an attempted car-jacking because I carried my gun for the first time that night.
2.   On a cruise to Jamaica and Grand Cayman, the ship I was on rescued a group of Cuban refugees.
3.   I can speak Elvish.

1.   Hmm, I can't imagine gun in your hands.... Tsleng
2.   Could be, Ngay
3.   Ngay?

Irayo, Blue Elf.  Of course the answers will be out late on Sunday night.  But, as I've said, Ive had some interesting things happen to me in my 45 years.  So really nothing should be taken for granted. 

ta Maria TV

[hemmond]

Hey! Congrats for being NotW. Enjoy your week.

And about T/F questions... I would say Ngay/Ngay/Tsleng.

[`Eylan Ayfalulukanä]

Seykxel sì nitram, ma Maria Tunvrrtep! I'm glad to see you made NoTW!

I remember meeting you at the 2011 meetup, and discussing a number of things with you, including being involved in the SCA. Although we have an SCA group in this part of the country, we also have another re-enactment group that I might eventually get involved with. Like you, I am busy, busy, BUSY!

As far as learning the Na'vi infix system, there is a very definite order and pattern to it, that you can recognize after you have studied it a bit. Somewhere in the early days of being involved here, I prepared a 'cheat sheet', called 'the Na'vi verb', which you can download http://www.lionlamb.us/Navi_stuff/The_Navi_Verb.pdf EDIT: This document has been updated to the most current information!

I see we have yet another cat lover here. Cats of various types come up more as favorite animals than any other animal listed by NoTW nominees. Maybe it has to do with something we see in the cat-like Na'vi. But in any case, the more cat lovers, the merrier!

I hope you are able to make it to Avatarmeet 2012. I am definitely planning on going, if plans and budget hold together, and it would be fun to talk some more.

As for your N/T questions:

1. Ngay -  armed citizens are more common then ever these days.

2. Ngay -  I debated what to answer here, but based on the context of your other comments, I can believe this happened.

3. Tsleng - Based on your description of the kinds of challenges you have with Na'vi, plus you did not mention if it was Quenya or Sindarin that you know.

Enjoy your week!

[Tanri]

Seykxel sì nitram oeta nìteng!
It seems that I come almost too late, but anyway, better late that never.
Congratulation being Na'vi of the week and I hope that you really enjoyed those days, whether related to NOTW or not.

Pxesìpawmìri 'en sìyi oe: Ngay, Ngay, Tsleng.

[Kamean]

Seykxel nìtramsì ma Maria!

Säfpìl oeyä: Ng/Ng/Ts.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

Congrats on the NotW award!  I live in West Texas. Cool about the ballroom dancing. And SCA.
I wouldn't put the first two events past you and I'll bet you speak a smattering of Elvish,(that was funny, Ma 'Eylan Palulukanyä!)

[Alyara Arati]

Congrats a little late (a lot late)!  It's a nice picture of you in the Little Black Dress, but I'm glad for you that now it's too big.

Guesses:

T (bad@$$ Wiccan?)
T (interesting and why not?)
F (mostly folks say "Quenya")

[Maria TunVrrtep]

Hey guys.  Well my week is over.  I seem to have fallen asleep last night and not done this so I'm doing it now.

Thank you everyone for the congratulations.

For the True False questions ...

1.   I saved myself from an attempted car-jacking because I carried my gun for the first time that night. -
This is true.  It was the first time I carried my gun, and I was so shaken I drove the rest of the way to work with the gun in my hand.  I have since gotten over that being shaken thing since I have had to draw my gun 2 more times since then. 

2.   On a cruise to Jamaica and Grand Cayman, the ship I was on rescued a group of Cuban refugees. -
This is true.  I was on a themed cruise for Star Trek.  On that cruise, I also got to sing with George Takai, though he probably wouldn't remember it.  And got drunk with Jimmy Doohan.  That was pretty fun. 

3.   I can speak Elvish. -
This is false.  Although if I'd said Klingon, the answer would be true (though I really can't speak it anymore.)

Everyone have a great week! 
ta Maria TV