Introductions -Brynn Reiff

I haven't used blogger before, so I may be missing an existing post to add to. Ah, well...

Ran Brynn Reiff (my full name, I go by Brynn, it is one syllable, basically "brin")
For the purposes of introduction, I have written in my primary style. Enjoy.

1. What has been your favorite course of study in or out of school? Why?
While I am most interested in Physics and Math, my favorite classes have been social studies. This is mostly due to the teachers: my two favorite HS teachers focused separately on sociology and western history, and together taught several equity courses.

2. How many pages was the longest paper you have written? Did it include endnotes and bibliography?
I participated in History Day in 7th grade. The final paper was about 7 pages plus annotated bibliography. Since then, I have written several 4-6 page papers, and possibly a handful over 7.

3. Which was your favorite paper? Please tell us about the topic in a couple of sentences.
I have no specific favorite, but during a College Writing class (taught by the western hist. teacher above) I wrote a number of analysis papers I consider to be my best work.

4. Is there a particular kind of writing you love to do?
Given prior experience , I can consistently write fair to good analysis. My poetic abilities vary considerably from year to year, and my fiction writing usually begins slowly. I enjoy any writing where I become involved in the process.

5. Which books have you read lately: art, fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, poetry, environmental, film?
I usually read fantasy (from Tolkien to Terry Pratchett, and all between), but I have recently read a number of Phillip K. Dick's science fiction and psychological stories. Currently, I am reading Island of the Day Before, by Umberto Echo. He is a fantastic writer, but his style takes a good deal of effort to read. (several original languages and a partial translation don't help)
Any comments are welcome.

6. Which artist or writer really impresses you? Why?
I am impressed by anyone who can write consistently without resorting to fluff or repetition. The above four are amongst my favorites.

7. What is your main interest besides writing, art, music, (i.e., the humanities)?
Physics. I have always loved math and math-based science.

8. Please describe briefly an article in a newspaper or a magazine that got you thinking lately.
I can think of no one article, but of the papers I read regularly, I am sad to say The Onion provokes the most thought and has the most consistently "good" writing -in my opinion. Many other free papers (the only ones I read) show a certain lack of oversight. Our very own Colorado Daily belongs to the glorious family of seemingly unedited, content-free publications. While this can be forgiven for a local college paper, its cousin the Daily Camera has no excuse (yes, it is not free, but I have had the oppurtunity to skim its magnificent pages on occasion).

9. Which recent cultural event has really impressed you? This can be a museum, a concert, or anything like that, but also a sports game (if you consider this a cultural event, for which there are good reasons).
Woefully, I have had little cultural exposure in the recent past. I do not enjoy crowds, music, sports or the majority of modern art. My favorite museum-ish entity has long been the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. I have never lived in Pennsylvania, but I there visit my preffered grand-parents.

10. Is there another, non-cultural event that has affected you deeply.
Truthfully, no. I could say that one of the many recent catastrophes - human induced or otherwise - has fundamentally changed my worldview, but that is not the case.

11. Please share with us a thought or an idea that really widened your intellectual horizon. If possible, give a source for this idea so that those who are interested know where to go.
In pursuit of broad horizons, I recommend reading. Reading grants us a small insight into the mind of another. For instance, if you desire a slight understanding of the paranoid schizophrenic, the work of Phillip K. Dick will entertain and enlighten.