Syl's Blog

Self-Discovery Prompts

Doing another set of prompts today! This time it's five questions for self-discovery from Sophie Cliff.

1. Imagine you have been asked to introduce yourself - write a sentence that summarises what you would say.

I'm Alyssa Butler, also known as Syl to friends, and I'm a 37-year-old accountant by day and writer by night who lives with my husband and dog and loves coffee, heavy metal, horror, nature, and good stories in all forms.

2. What is something you wish more people knew about you?

I guess maybe that I've spent a lot of my life struggling with bipolar? I don't know, I still have this feeling that if people from my past knew that's what was going on with me, they'd be more understanding and forgiving of some of my behavior at the time. I was unmedicated for most of my life and did a lot of things, especially in my manic states, that I'm not proud of. I don't want to get into it too deeply here because I try to keep this blog fairly light, but...yeah. That's the first thing that comes to mind.

3. What is your favourite song, and why?

"End of Small Sanctuary" by Akira Yamaoka, from the Silent Hill 3 soundtrack. It's the most chill song in the world. I can listen to it anytime, whether I'm driving or lying in bed or working on something, and it immediately makes me happy and transports me to one of my favorite games. It has a liminal feel, which is oddly comforting to me.

4. What is your favourite book, and why?

Up in the Old Hotel by Joseph Mitchell. It's my comfort book. There's just something about Mitchell's writing that I really connect with. I love the way he portrayed New York City in the '30s-'60s, especially how he focused on regular people instead of doing profiles of actors or politicians like most of his colleagues did. You can tell through his writing that he truly cared about the people he profiled and wanted their stories told in the most deferential way possible.

Some people might consider his writing a bit too dated now, and in some aspects it is, but in other ways it stands the test of time. Up in the Old Hotel is just such a richly written book full of engaging real-life stories from the past. I especially recommend "Mazie" and "Mr. Hunter's Grave."

5. What is your favourite place, and why?

New York City. I've been there several times and just have the best memories from it. I love the atmosphere, the people, the bars and restaurants, the parks, the museums, the transportation, everything. It's the only place I've ever been that feels like home, and if my family weren't here I probably would've moved closer to NYC long ago. Danny and I had our honeymoon there last year, which makes it even more special to me.

If you want to get even more specific, my favorite place in the city is McSorley's, an old Irish bar that the aforementioned Joseph Mitchell would frequent. It's a cozy little dive with sawdust covering the floor and only two types of drinks: light ale and dark ale. It feels like stepping into another world, a place lost in time, and I adore it.

#blaugust #personal