Shyla: Hello and welcome to Sitting with Shyla. I'd like to introduce our member spotlighted for this issue, Arcvet. Welcome, Arcvet!

First things first-a/s/l?

Arcvert: Hi! I would have to answer nineteen, female, and from the lovely eastern shores of Canada.

Shyla: Tell me, how did you learn about 4thKingdom and how long have you been a member?

Arcvert: A friend of mine, Tasslehoff_B recommended 4thKingdom to me and I applied soon after. I've got this terrible memory so I can only ball-park a guess, but I think I've been a member for two months? Maybe a little more than that. Not very long, at least.

shyla: Can you tell us the meaning behind your user name?

Arcvert: It's French, actually. It was the closest translation I could manage to come up with for 'Green Bayonet', another pseudonym I sometimes take on. They were just two arbitrary words that I chose one day, and they stuck.

Shyla: oh cool! What do you think of 4thkingdom so far and what are your favorite boards to read/post?

Arcvert: I am loving it. I was really impressed with how friendly everyone has been. It can usually be so hard to break into an already formed community but people here have been exceptionally welcoming. I've probably posted the most in Literature, because that's my little niche in life...but I enjoy reading the Debate boards to see the varying perspectives. I read a whole lot more than I post--there are so many interesting and engaging discussions happening all over. I end up procrastinating on coursework 'cause I spend so much time reading...!

Shyla: Heh, yes, 4k can become a bit addicting. =) I think I speak for the whole of the community when I say, lurk less, post more! We're trying to figure out how we can get newer members to become more active. Do you feel the community is too tight knit, causing you to be shy of posting much, or are you just wetting your feet at this beginning stage?

Arcvert: I think there's certainly the fear that it might be too tight knit, but I also think that fear is irrational. Maybe I'm a little bit naive but I'm expecting that after I've become a bit more comfortable here, nothing'll stop me from making the jump from semi-lurker to often-poster. I mostly shy away from posting too much because, as you say, I'm wetting my feet. I'm starting with what I know--Literature--and building up from there.

Shyla: Okay, so enough of 4k and lets get personal. ;-) Do you have any children..significant other?

Arcvert: My significant other.. heh. I met him seven years ago on the internet and now we live together. Now I'm stuck with him. =D Happily stuck, I should add. The only "children" we have are our cats.

Shyla: Wow, so you were eleven or so when you met him! Congrats on maintaining the relationship! So, what are some of the things you like to do for fun?

Arcvert: Believe it or not, I have a lot of fun being a student. The homework can be a drag but I love going to classes and interacting with the works of any number of authors and poets. I also enjoy writing myself, but after writing academic papers I'd sooner sit back and read instead of spraining my fingers further, even for some creative writing. Haha, I need new hobbies. These make me sound a bit dull--oh! I dabble in video gamery and I really like independent cinema. And, of course, the simple pleasure of sitting down with a group of friends and unwinding over good food after a long week.

Shyla: Not dull at all! What are you studying?

Arcvert: I'm pursuing a degree in English Literature with a possible minor in History. I'm only in my undergraduate year at the moment but I foresee years of grad school yet ahead of me. I would be a student forever, if I could..

Shyla: Yay for professional student! Are you into politics/religion? If so, how so?

Arcvert: Politics and religion, aah.. the two things one should never bring up at the dinner table. Well, they crop up often in literary criticism but beyond that I do take a healthy interest in the politics of my country and the world, but I can sometimes fall behind of what's going on around exam time...=D. As for religion...I also like to engage in healthy religious debate in order to keep me constantly re-evaluating my opinions. Sometimes this is a good thing, and it leads to enriching discussion...sometimes I feel like a jerk. For example, I once (accidentally!) caused a girl to start crying in what I thought was an energetic debate outside a hotel in Italy. She offered a remark about the majesty of a church and how fitting a tribute it was to God. I replied that the gold-plated ceilings and vast array of treasure in general was more than obnoxious.

But I felt really bad about making her cry! I didn't intend to. She was a really sweet girl...But, just goes to show you. Politics and religion...you really have to be careful about who you voice what opinions to.

Shyla: Reduced her to waterworks..for shame! Heh, I look forward to your posts on politics and religion, lol. One last question: If you were stranded on a deserted island with everything you need to physically survive, what five items would you bring?

Arcvert: Oh, wow. Toughie. Let's see. I'd need a Complete Works of Shakespeare..so many people give old Billy Shakespeare a bad rap, but I still love him. I would also need a really big notebook and a super long-lasting pen so I could finally write a great dystopian epic. I would need an mp3 player with as much of my favourite music that could fit. How many do I have left? Oh.. one. Okay. I have to be sappy now and say I'd take the Significant Other. D'awwwwh. Cue the smallest violin. =D

Shyla: Thanks for the interview, ma'am! Is there anything else you'd like to share with the 4k readers before we part?

Arcvert: Thanks very much for having me, Shyla.. and as for 4K:... Hi! Pleased to meet you. Hope to be seeing more of you. Oh..! I'd like to leave you all with a really brilliant bit of advice my grandfather often repeated to the rest of my family..."Don't fry bacon without a shirt on!"

Bye.=D

Shyla: Goodbye, dollface! And remember, you heard it first right here, Sitting with Shyla.