I have this friend who...

[catelin]

In one of my many conversations with harley1456 this weekend, he spoke of describing his friends to people in ways that gave a picture of them, of who they were. This made me curious about how I would be described by the various people who know me, whether some people see more of any certain thing in me than others, or what it is that some find important to communicate most to someone else about me.

How would you describe me to someone who didn't know me? Tell me and I'll tell you.

Comments

[ariabeltane.livejournal.com]

Though I have never met you on the 3D side, I tell people about you all the time! i describe you as "the woman I want to be when I grow up. Strong, intelligent, passionate, and creative."

[catelin.livejournal.com]

And you, I always describe as the little hip mama who looks like Myrna Loy! : )

[buscemi.livejournal.com]

I think of you as resilient, kind-hearted, a believer, a dreamer and just someone who knows how to live. :)

[catelin.livejournal.com]

You, I picture as quiet but really funny, tall and thin, fair-headed with a smile that is much bigger than one would expect.

[buscemi.livejournal.com]

That sounds about right. :)

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

Fierce and full of strong, deep colors.

[catelin.livejournal.com]

I always describe you as someone who makes me think of Marge Piercy mixed with The World of Suzy Wong living where Something Wicked This Way (Might) Come(s). ; )

[doctorgogol.livejournal.com]

It's like you keep taunting me to start that novel.

[catelin.livejournal.com]

Ha! Yes! Or no!! I'm not sure which! ; )

[lolliejean.livejournal.com]

Cate is a fiery redhead with a passionate heart and a creative soul. She stands firm for what she believes but is not so rigid as to be unwilling to revise her opinions in light of new information. She is unexpected and prone to being an independent maverick although she encompasses some very traditional hippie earth girl qualities within her complicated self. I love that underneath her conservative business suit and briefcase she's decorated with colorful ink because that contrast is a wonderful metaphor for who I think she is. A woman who is honest and beautiful inside and outside. She embraces the whole of life, the good, the bad, the ugly with the ability to laugh at her own foibles and an openess to learn, grow and blossom. Over and over again.

: )

[coyotegoth.livejournal.com]

This fairly well nails it; she's also very nice to people who help her move :)

[catelin.livejournal.com]

My friend Lori is southern-fried sex and passion with every good thing that you can imagine rolled in. She's warm and funny, with a wicked sense of humor. She's got a voice that's all chocolate and velvet at once. She believes in love and she is fierce in her loyalties to the people she cares about. She is proof that we can dream our own happiness come true.

[lolliejean.livejournal.com]

I love that! Thank you! I'm going to put it in my journal so I'll have it around for all eternity.

[corvisbell.livejournal.com]

i've always imagined you as one of those Dryads that come out of the leaves in a tree, slowly at first, so that when seen, it's as though you've appeared out of the air itself. It's beautiful in my mind, but it never seems to bear the correct visualization in words.
I might paint what I see you as sometime.
The thought usually blends into fiery colors, that I relate your passion to.

[catelin.livejournal.com]

That's interesting, because I've often associated myself with dryads. I even have one tattooed on my back.

Even though I don't know you well, I always think of you as someone who is an exceptionally smart girl who watches things from the background. Physically, I always imagine you to be a slight, dark little thing...some sort of lovely changeling. ; )

[corvisbell.livejournal.com]

*giggles*
thank you.
if i ever get the courage to paint what little of your beautiful features i have seen, i will post it for you to see.

[teri-lee.livejournal.com]

Cate is full of piss and vinegar. Cate is also full of temperance and empathy and compassion and saguaro and straw hats and braids and rollerskates and mysterious tattoos. Though I never met her in the flesh, I always picture her in a sleveless broadcloth button-up tied in a knot at the waist and well worn jeans. I see her in the sun, with wild wisps of hair escaping her braids. Cate is brave, by which I mean she is not afraid to speak her mind and live her life.

[catelin.livejournal.com]

Ah, I have spoken of you many times, and it always begins with "My friend, the mermaid..."

It includes a description of a woman with floating hair who fights for everything and everyone she loves, a woman whose choices defy convention without being obnoxious, a gardener in all aspects of her life, fragile and a bit lonely sometimes, but ultimately loved more than she would probably ever let herself believe.

[forioscribe.livejournal.com]

Underneath that lawyer's suit is an array of tatoos!

[catelin.livejournal.com]

And you, friend..."a man on a mission."

[keatrix.livejournal.com]

Dirty knees, tousled hair, and laugh-lines. A mouth that can turn hard-set, green veins and clenched fists surrounded by books and arguments.

[harley1456.livejournal.com]

Cate is solid and assured, she is one of those people who seems to have carved a perfect niche for herself. From her LJ I had this impression that she was larger than life, and larger in person. When i met her I had some pleasant surprizes in store. Seeing her interact with the boys was wonderful, I saw pride and joy in "Cate the Mother" and a lot of love. And her personality is MUCH softer in real life. She has a child's voice that is fun and comforting. And when she dons the Guinea Hen outfit she starts slaying men left and right. I saw it! (Honestly I don't think she needs the Guinea Hen Outfit!)

[catelin.livejournal.com]

It's nice that I get to say "friend" now and have it extend beyond the vagueries of virtual connection. I described you just the other day as one of only a few people I ever met whom I believed Whitman would approve of wholeheartedly.

His love above all love has leisure and expanse … he leaves room ahead of himself.

[harley1456.livejournal.com]

WOW! Thanks, I think I really like having you in my life.
You comments show insight and reflection rather than impulse. I need that kind of sincere influence in my life...thanks.

[catelin.livejournal.com]

Ha! Well, you're stuck with me now, so it's good you feel that way. ;-P

[harley1456.livejournal.com]

The first time I read that I thought it said, "He leaves THE room ahead of himself!"

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

I often refer to you as "my progressive friend who's carved out a badass forward-thinking community in Texas," as proof that it's not safe to assume that every Texan is a conservative wacko.

[catelin.livejournal.com]

Ha! And I always refer to you as my friend, J., who moved all the way from Texas to NYC and will one day be a famous writer! : )

[poetdan.livejournal.com]

Earth mother.

[cathead9.livejournal.com]

I would describe you as a combo of Mother Nature, Clara Barton, Wonder Woman, Sarah Weddington, a persian kitty and a pit bull all rolled into one.....with roller skates!

[catelin.livejournal.com]

And you, a soft-spoken but wry mix of Gibson girl good looks, milk and honey complexion, and one of the greatest laughs I ever heard. And probably the person I can always count on to eat Mexican food with me at any time!! Hee! : )

[cathead9.livejournal.com]

mmmmmmm....Mexican food!.....mmmmmm

[nandan.livejournal.com]

Cate is a citizen and a nonconformist, a woman with a soul who is not above a good gossip. She is someone with her priorities straight, and the intelligence and charm to state her case convincingly.

[catelin.livejournal.com]

Nan is a person deeply connected to family, a fierce lioness of a mother when she needs to be, quick to laugh and more sensitive than most people would guess. She's also a person who went out of her way to be a friend to me when it would have been just as easy to stay home, and THAT is something I will never forget, because it speaks volumes about who she really is.

[verian.livejournal.com]

I always begin with my friend, because you are and usually follow that up with something in context to what had brought the subject of you up, so it's changeable but often includes words such as feisty, compassionate, considerate, generous, kind and sexy pixie.

[catelin.livejournal.com]

Isn't it great, V.? Here we are, several years later, and I still adore you just as much as ever. I describe you simply as one of the most creative people I know who finds time to do everything and anything artistic you could ever imagine. You are even titled..."The Amazing Verian" because I still am in awe of everything you've accomplished. And you're pretty damn funny too!

[verian.livejournal.com]

It is. I think I'd like to be funny strange that funny ha ha. Or perhaps funny strange ha ha might be better.

[themouseketeer.livejournal.com]

Cate is raspberry ripple icecream. With toppings.

[themouseketeer.livejournal.com]

And actually that means a whole lot more than it sounds, rereading it. But it still just IS!

[catelin.livejournal.com]

I love it!! With toppings, no less! : )

[elsabeta.livejournal.com]

A friend-of-a-friend watashi recommended one of your posts (an incredibly moving one about your younger son). After reading that and the way all of these people have described you, I'd be honored if you would permit me to add you to my friends list. I can be far too cynical for my own well-being, and the bit of your journal I've read reminds me that there are still good people thriving.

[themouseketeer.livejournal.com]

She is a joy to read, and has refreshed my soul so many times. I feel priveledged that I was welcomed to stay after that post, too. I guess there are a few of us still around after that. Thank you Cate for letting us share.

[catelin.livejournal.com]

Awww, thanks, dear!! : )

[catelin.livejournal.com]

I'm honored to have you read. : )

[elsabeta.livejournal.com]

Many thanks and my best wishes!