Birthday Egotism, Level 31 edition

Long-time readers of this journal know I have a tradition of "birthday egotism" posts, wherein I stave off any birthday-related depression by making myself post, without deprecation or qualification, about the awesome things I've done in the last year.

This year, I find myself less in the mood for that -- though not for any depressive reason. (I am, for example, damn proud of the fact that one of this year's achievements was the completion of the Onyx Court series, ridiculous levels of research and all.) Instead, I think I'll indulge in a different kind of egotism, and make this an Ask Me a Question post.

You can ask about anything: writing, reading, gaming, sewing, movies, music, travel, favorite breakfast foods, my opinion of the Cathar heresy. I'll put the answers in new posts.

And now, I'm off to enjoy my first day of being level 31. (With thanks to yuki_onna, from whom I believe I stole the phrase.)