I just want to pop in for a spell and let you know that I won't be here for a little while. I feel a little better about this then usually because I have planned this absence.
I am planning on participating in NaNoWriMo. Maybe check off one of my bucket list items and write that novel. I had originally planned to do a blog-a-day challenge, which I have only moved to December or January. Frankly I'm not sure I'll be up to doing a post every day in December. First I'll be exhausted (or exhilarated) from November. Second, I'll be busy because it will be holiday season. So, I'll be in touch when I have writers block this month, and I'll post a list of my daily challenges before I start the challenge.
So I'm going to go get started on that novel now. Toodles!
Okay, bear with me. This may be a bit of an adventure. And I would love any corrections or advice you have when you are finished reading this!
I want to begin by saying that I am a work in progress, and that I don't have years of study in the fields of human behavior to back me up, so take what I say here tonight with a grain of salt.
But here are some things I find make it easier to get along with my extroverted friends.
Honestly, first and foremost, I think we introverts can be a little bit snobbish. So to you extroverts reading this, I humbly beg your pardon.
But, snobbish? Well, yes! Think about it. We get upset when our exuberant friend doesn't understand that we just want to stay at home this Saturday night. And they keep wanting to introduce us to new people, twenty at a time!! Because, yaay, it's fun! (See, there I go, sarcastically judging them...)
But when have we tried to understand them? There are numerous things like this out there
Yeah... and many more... but there are only a few charts for extroverts. Except the ones that compare introversion to extroversion.
Why is this? Because we think that others should conform to us, rather then the other way around. I think we should compromise. Because we can't change ourselves and be extroverted and they can't change and be completely introverted. So how do we do this?
First, be patient. Humble yourself a little bit. Know that for some it is very hard to understand that not everyone in the world likes to spend every waking moment in the spotlight.
So, patiently explain that you are tired and the only way you know how to recharge is by being alone.
Second, when they ask if you want to hang out and you know that you just aren't up to it this time, try to make plans for the not so near future. This helps them understand that it's not them personally, and it helps you determine how to plan out your week so you will have time and energy to be social next time.
That's all I've got for you, but if you have any suggestions or corrections please comment!
Well, it seems like I've done a lot of film reviews lately.
And by "lately" I mean "whenever I remember I need to post I take the lazy way out and think of the movie I watched most recently"
But anyway, I read awhile ago this trilogy by Peterson and Bell and I meant to review over the summer and failed to. So with only minor ado....
One last thing, I'm switching up my normal review format because this is a trilogy and I don't want to review one at a time.
Book One: City of Angels
I am a hard person to please when it come to modern historical fiction, because many authors tend to write more "fluff" then the gritty substance that was everyday life in other eras. Authors tend to paint life back in the day as more romantic then it really was. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised by this book and its sequels.
Don't get me wrong, I don't mean that this series isn't happy, or that it doesn't have a good ending. Rather that it seems a little more true to the hardships of the time then most historical fiction.
So, City of Angels is about young woman, Kathleen, or Kit, Shannon who moves to Los Angeles with hopes of becoming a lawyer, in a world where women are expected to stay at home, marry rich, and have lots of children.
Without spoiling it, this first installment is about her struggle to begin and her first trial.
The details of the trial get somewhat explicit (I cannot give you more information because it has been a few months since I read this and I do not own it) and there are some adult themes. But for a mature young adult, this is a good read.
Book Two: Angels Flight
I was skeptical about reading this because I tend to shy away from book series'. I fell that all too often they get dragged out much further then need be, and don't usually end to my satisfaction. However, I was surprised by this book and by the end, eager to read the third book.
Of course the main theme of the book is Kit Shannon's second solo trial (She had previously been working behind the scenes with a mentor). She defends a man who is accused of rape and assault, whom she believes to be innocent. One of the things that makes this a big deal in the book is that he is a Mexican in a very prejudiced time and place.
A minor theme, though one just as important to pay attention to is Kathleen's struggle accepting romantic attentions from a young man she cares for, who does not share her deep faith.
Book Three: Angel of Mercy
I thoroughly enjoyed this final book in the Shannon Saga. The continuing story of Kit's struggle to bring the young man she cares for to Christ without accepting attentions she feels she shouldn't reciprocate is resolved. (I'm not going to say anything further on that, you'll just have to read it) Also she struggled with the feelings she had for a friendly and well to do young man who not only meets her aunt's requirements for a good match, but also seems to share her faith.
And while the above may make this book sound just like one of the "fluffy" historical fictions I earlier mentioned, it's more prominent theme may make you think otherwise.
Kathleen struggles when an old adversary (an opposing lawyer, who isn't afraid of fighting dirty, and somewhat illegally) asks her to represent him when he is accused of murder. Can she represent a man who she feels may be guilty?
Overall I recommend this series to any mature young adult. With the details of the trials being somewhat explicit at times I would not recommend them to young teens or those extra sensitive to violence.
Have you read these? Have you read others by these authors? If so, what do you recommend I read next?
Okay, so when I heard that one of my favorite directors was doing another film adaptation of my favorite Shakespearean work, and that the actor who portrayed everyone's favorite S.H.I.E.L.D. agent would be playing a part in it, I admit I obsessed over it for about six months. Stalking my iTunes store "new release" list, watching YouTube (I know, if I found it I would be watching it illegally....), and Netflix.
But eventually, life trudged on (as is this post, I do apologize and I'll get to it soon) and I forgot about the thing entirely.
So, it took me by surprise when I was searching for a movie to watch last Friday night, there it was! I promptly purchased it.
And.......
Just....
Yes, yes, yes! Elements that make this movie interesting include (but are not limited to...)
* It's in black and white
* It still follows (almost word for word) Shakespeare's original script--
*Although it was set in modern times!! *And strangely, it works!!!
And these actors were perfect in their roles. Nathan Fillion as Dogberry. I never thought I would be happy with any other actor besides Michael Keaton in this role, but I was mistaken. I think both actors are equally suited to this role.
(He has most of my favorite lines in MAAN)
See? Doesn't he just look a little bit ridiculous?
COULSON!! Erm, I mean Leonato ...
He just made me happy in this role. That is all.
This is hands down, the funniest scene in the film. I laughed hysterically both times I watched it. (Yes, I watch movies two times in the same number of days sometimes... I wouldn't want to review a movie I've only seen once, I may not give a complete review!)
In conclusion, this movie has a PG-13 rating for a reason folks, aside from the adult themes of extra-marital sex, Joss did maybe take it a bit to far with those scenes, if you know what I mean. But they are easily skipped, and not much is missed by way of conversation. The plot is still easily followed. I heartily agree with it's rating.
Hello all! I just wanted to pop in and show you all a song. If you only read one last post on my blog, please, please take a moment and listen to this song. It is a beautiful, simple presentation of the Gospel message. If you take just a moment from your day and listen. This song asks the single most important question you could ask yourself in your lifetime. Just food for thought.
So, guess who just signed up for several book review sites? That's right, me! I like free books. I'll do some things for them. Not anything, because even saying that is just stupid. (Anybody else out there watch Once Upon a Time? I feel like if I say I'll do anything Rumple just might pop out and try to make a deal with me) Anyway, I decided it was a win-win situation to sign up for these things. If I get accepted I am sent free books to review and I am forced to post more frequently, if I am not accepted (rejected is just such a harsh word) then I can go back to being lazy with this blog and only post sporadically. Anyway, it was wonderful of you to pop in for a visit and I hope to see more of you soon, dearie.
I'm just going to cut to the chase since by the end you'll all be throwing things at me anyway.
5) The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm.
(This was actually tied with Black Beauty but I couldn't find my copy BB, so the Brothers Grimm won)
Now, if you disagree with me I'm going to guess that you have never read most of the fairy tales in this collection, or you are one of those people who love Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid. We aren't talking Disney here people! If the first, run far, far away. If the second, I have nothing more to say to you.
4) Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Now before you throw rotten food and other objects at me, I'll say this is more one of those "I hate that I love it" rather then "I love to hate it" type of things. I love the social commentary, the satire, and even the cute little love story. But, I cannot stand the heroine! She just irritates me so much that I've only read this book two times and cannot bring myself to spend hours of my life in her company any longer!
3) Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
I find it very sad that the only work of Mr. Dickens that I've been able to finish, I've ended up hating (I'm currently working on reading Little Dorrit, and I'm getting along with it rather well). I was twelve when I first watched an adaptation of this and read the book. It was depressing and traumatizing. I think it might have been the first time a saw a coldblooded murder happen on screen. Enough said?
2) The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne A story of how guilt eats away at you. Seriously, that's it. There isn't even a scene at the end where everything ends up okay. at least not to my standards. Hey, I'm a Christian, forgiven of my sins by a perfect God who didn't just forgive, he forgot too! He cast them out, they are non-existent now. And this book says you have to work for forgiveness, that you never really fully achieve it anyway. It just doesn't sit right with me. I know it has a good point to present and it wasn't supposed to be happy and flowery, blah blah blah... But it strikes me as a way for the world to point a finger at Christians and say "See, your beliefs are so out-dated. You just look stupid."
1) Wuthering Hieghts by Emily Bronte
A tale of a whole bunch of selfish and rude people who think that they are the center of the universe and hate it when everything isn't going their way. Yes, the Bronte sisters knew how to write dramatic stories. Yes this is a well written book. But really?? Not one situation ends happily, or even satisfactorily. Not one character has a nice personality trait (in my opinion). This is yet another book I've only read twice, because I told myself "Just give it one more chance, maybe you were too young to understand it before" Well, guess what, now that I understand it better, I hate it more.
In case you couldn't tell, I don't like unhappy endings (I know Northanger Abbey has a happy ending but the others don't)
Alright, go ahead and throw things at me now, or leave indignant comments. Or tell me how you agree with an item on this list. What did I not list that you think should have been listed? What would you say to convince me that one of these books is worth another shot?
Well, my niece and nephew spent the night last night and went to church with us this morning. After we got home we had a water fight, and we had a blast! (Thanks, Dad, for the pictures!!)
After I took them home I came back and cleaned house! Now I'm relaxing and watching Pride & Prejudice (2005), and I have to say I like this version so much better then I remember it being. While it is full of inaccuracies when compared to the book, it fully captures the feeling of the book and the personalities of the characters perfectly!
Ahem, I got a little LEETLE carries away there, I do apologize.
The truth is that I have been itching to re-vamp my blog, from the name to the post schedules. I mentioned a bit ago that I was hoping to change the content of the posts because my interests had changed drastically since beginning the whole thing, (over? under?) two years ago now.
Pray for me, gentle readers, that I may have the discipline to stick to a good, consistent routine of posting. To start it may be sparse, but committing to a post or two a week is so much less overwhelming and stressful. I was thinking a review (book/film alternating) every other week. They won't all be period films, but the majority will be. Except once a month when I hope to list four to five sci-fi/action films that I've watched, maybe fewer depending on free time. These lists would include my rating from 1-5, the film rating (G to PG-13) I will rarely view a film I know to be R-rated. Even at twenty I don't feel comfortable with it, I almost didn't watch The King's Speech because of that.
Once a month I may also do a post on modest fashion bloggers that I follow, picking my favorite outfits from them. Every other week I'll be trying to do some post on a daycare-friendly style I've worn.
Aaaannnd, that's all I've got so far. But I'd like to hear what you want more of. Also, what are some things you find helpful in remembering to post consistently? What do you like/dislike about the changes I've made? Please comment!
I can't tell if I really love Gaskell or not... She was so honest.
Completely different from Austen who relied on comedy, which is great, don't get me wrong! But Austen was never really heartbreaking. Her work is kinda ''fluffy''. (Don't throw things at me Jane-ites!!)
Gaskell, while still giving us a satisfactory ending, wasn't afraid of the brutal reality of death.
Let me explain as well as I can...
Jane Austen
Except for Emma, all of her books had a not-so-nice guy that just made you cringe.
Said bad guy always got what he deserved, aka, a life less fulfilling and fun then the hero/heroine, but he never died.
Bad things happened to Austen's secondary characters, but nobody dies. Ever.
Except the rich aunt, but that's not important....
And those bad things aren't so bad as to affect the rest of anyone's life, even though all the characters talk about 'diminished prospects' and such nonsense.
Elizabeth Gaskell
Disclaimer: I've only read two and a half of her books, so what I say only applies to North and South and Wives and Daughters, of which I have read the whole.
These two books do not have a defined bad guy. There are people you aren't supposed to love, but she always showed you that that person had reasons for being the way they were. Not that being a cruel person is okay, *Cough*Mr. Preston*Cough*, but Gaskell showed us why her characters behaved the way they did.
Imagine if we had read of Mrs/ Thornton in Pride & Prejudice. It shouldn't take much... In P & P, she goes by Lady Catherine. Think about it. They are basically the same character, they were just dealt with in different ways. Austen wrote her to be funny. A caricature of the overprotective and society driven guardian all in one. Gaskell went deeper. She tried to show us why Mrs. Thornton was so overprotective, and why she used social class as an excuse to dislike Margret.
When I pick up anything by Jane Austen, I wear a smile on my face for days while I'm reading it.
When I pick up North & South, or Wives & Daughters I smile a little, sigh a lot, and cry inside, but when I turn the last page and close the book I feel satisfied. I walk away knowing the characters better.
It's like going to the movies with a group of friends and just goofing off for a night. Then the next day you go to coffee with your bestie and just sit and talk for hours. They are both so much fun, and you can't really say one is better then the other, because they both do you good.
I'm completely at a loss as to how to start this post. This is my second time watching this mini-series, and I love it. I only liked it before. I shall give you my reasons, but first, prepare yourself for an extensive post about every little detail.
For those of you who hate long posts, I'll give you the short and sweet version now.
I recommend this adaptation heartily! Andrew Davies wrote the screenplay and his work is usually pretty good about not straying far from the author's original work. (Except Sense & Sensibility, but don't get me started....)
There is some language, for Squire Hamley (our hero's father) has quite a temper. And there is tragic death. (Sorry, I became Emily Starr for a moment) But all in all the PG rating is accurate. This is a fun movie for those who like light film and for those who like to see deeper characters and plots.
And yes that can happen in the same movie, because deep doesn't always mean heavy, or depressing.
What I'm trying to say is that to enjoy this movie, you don't have to pay to close attention because you will get it and everything will make sense even if you are only halfway paying attention. However, there are little things here and there- lines, expressions, actions- that just add depth to the characters and help you understand why the character behaves the way he or she does.
Beyond this there are spoilers... You just read that in River Song's voice, didn't you?
Okay, for those of you who have stuck with me this long, and who may be wondering why I love it now when I only liked the mini-series before... I missed so much the first time around. I won't go into a long list of the things I missed. Mostly because now that I'm done with the series, I don't think I could name more then two. But I shall go into a long list of certain opinions I had, and why they've changed.
Cynthia
I remember finishing Wives and Daughters the first time with a strong dislike for Cynthia. At first I liked her,because she seemed to care for Molly and she stood up for her. But she quickly became annoying.
However, this time I realized there were some very heartbreaking reasons for her actions. She had grown up with a manipulative, flighty mother, who only showed affection when it suited her needs and wants, and even that affection wasn't real. (I compare it to Rodmilla in Ever After, at times you could see real emotion, whether is was love, fear, or heartbreak because of Daniella's resemblance to her father, it wasn't feigned).
So, to avoid being like her mother, who only shows fake affection to get what she wants, Cynthia is the opposite. She parades around telling everyone that she cannot love, at least not like other people do. And while she doesn't exhibit true, selfless love, she still tries her best to be a kind and worthy woman. She just gets confused and becomes a sort of jumble between a truly worthy woman, and the worldly expectation of womanhood.
She was sort of disrespectful in this scene, but I admired her spunk, and her heart was in the right place.
The Father-Daughter relationship
This one isn't so much that I'd changed my mind, but rather, that I have seen more to love in this aspect of the story. Pretty early on Mr. Gibson realizes he has a very silly new wife, not as early as Molly sees it, but still pretty early. And while you see secret looks shared between the two at her silliness, and they talk to each other about missing the time that they used to spend together, they never say anything to anyone else about it. Neither one does anything that might make Hyacinth feel like they regret the marriage. This is a real picture of love. They realize that the person is not who they thought she was, but they choose to love her and except her as part of their family anyway. Sure, when she goes to London for a week they revel in eating beside the fire, and having meals of bread and cheese while cooling their tea in the saucer... But they are prepared to give up said ''Barbaric'' things the moment that Mrs. Gibson walk back through that door.
A moment of deep discussion between father and daughter while Mrs. Gibson is away.
Mr. Preston
I can't say exactly what changed about my impression of him, but I'll just leave it at this...
You've heard it said about some characters ''I just love to hate him''? Well Mr. Preston is a character I hate to love. But I do, in a sad, pitying sort of way. I just can't hate him after all Cynthia put him through. Because even though he isn't good-hearted, he did truly love her.
Now, here are a few things I just plain loved!!
Lady Harriet, for one. She is a character I could read a whole book about. In her first scene, those first few moments, she doesn't make a very good impression. But she most definitely improves! She's cheeky, without being inappropriate, she is ladylike without fading into the corner like a wallflower, and best of all she runs in and rescues Molly. She is about the only true friend Molly has.
Rosamund Pike was wonderful as Lady Harriet
Osborne Hamley. Well, I don't know how you are all going to take this, but I liked Osborne a lot more then Roger. Not that I thought he and Molly should have been a couple! Heavens, no. I always thought that Roger and Molly were for each other.
But there are just so many reasons to like Osborne. He sees Molly as the jewel she is from the start. (You know, I seem to remember a lot more shipping being done by Osborne on behalf of Roger and Molly, but I guess I was wrong).
This scene is when I fell in love with Osborne. I love the look on his face, a little bit amusement, a little bit of "I don't care of they think that I'm sweet on you, no man should be ashamed of that." I mean, he doesn't even let go of her hand in this scene, I think!
Roger, Roger, Roger....
Oh boy, can I just say how amusing I found his look of panic every time Molly smiled at someone else in the last few scenes?? He just got so sad and disappointed every time she looked away, as if he thought that suddenly realizing he was a stupid oaf was enough to make her forget all other men in the room.
As a last thought, I want to say how much I loved this line
.
.
.
Of course I remember it! I remember everything you wrote in your letters, how could you think I wouldn't?
And how much i love the simplicity of the proposal scene. Well, it was dramatic, and could have done without the pouring rain. But I love he just asks the question, and she just bursts forth with
"Yes.Yes I will.Yes."
As if it is the most natural thing in the world.
''Well, he rode seven miles to bring her a wasps nest, and you don't do that for no reason!''
Let me just say, this guy?? Crushed it!! Daniel Day-Lewis is Mr.Lincoln.
This actor is phenomenal and I was very disappointed and surprised to find that he has been in less then thirty films! And even fewer in number are the films that I would watch. Oh well, I'm not sure I could think of him as anything other then Lincoln anyway.
Well, to start things off I am going to emphasis something my dad noticed right away. Spielberg did his research (not to surprising if you know Spielberg [and of course I do, haha!]) What I mean is if you are familiar with Steven Spielberg's other films, you know he pays very close attention to detail, especially when recreating historical events.
If you weren't aware of this before, it may come as a shock to you (thanks to the media's misrepresentation of Lincoln) when the actor's first lines come forth and they don't blow you away because of the deep intensity of his voice.
Why? Because Spielberg is a stickler for details and historically Lincoln had a high, sort of nasally voice. And at the same time you are blown away. Because Daniel Day-Lewis (Should I call him Mr. Day-Lewis or Mr. Lewis??) portrays Lincoln as a man who knows the profound truth in his simple words, and who believes in them wholeheartedly. A man who will not back down, no matter what, when fighting for something he believes to be right.
Notice the blanket? It's not really talked about or emphasized, but it's a subtle background though. Lincoln wears a blanket on his shoulders in just about every other scene. Because during these last few months of his life, as he was trying to pass the 13th Amendment, Lincoln was not a healthy man. He was falling apart because the stress of fighting so hard for equality was too much.
(I love subtleties)
Okay, so before I ruin the whole movie for you, let me just cut to the chase. I recommend this film. However, keep in mind that it is intense (even though we know how it's gonna end) and there is strong language. If you have seen The King's Speech you can know what to expect, if you haven't, well what's wrong with you?? I give this film four out of five stars.
Disclaimer: Technically this is not a film review, because if it was, you'd be reading about Gwyneth Paltrow. As I am reviewing Kate Beckinsale's Emma, I suppose I should call this a TV Drama review. (That is how Wikipedia distinguishes the two of them)
So, I remember very much disliking this adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma. However, because of all the hype about this version that I've heard (Apparently a lot of you really like this version) I decided I'd better give it another shot, and I'm very glad I did.
I really, REALLY, really like this Jane Fairfax. Let me just get that out of the way and say it now. I believe it needs to be said. This girl was a bit of an inaccurate Jane. But I loved her!! (More on this later when I write a post comparing all three films)
Anyway, I recommend this film to those who want to get into watching period films/ Jane Austen for the first time. It was easy to follow and still fairly accurate. It was also clean, with little to no language (I think the men swear occasionally, as men did in the Regency era, but there is no explicit language)
The costumes? Well, they were pretty, but Emma herself felt modern to me. It might have been her hats, which I just didn't like. But that's just me... Other then Emma, I didn't see anything wrong with the other costumes. However, don't assume I am an expert on historical costume, because you would be sadly mistaken.
The scenery was good, I don't know what to say about it except that it felt right and I hardly noticed it, which is exactly what I always thought it would be like when I read Emma. I get the feeling that Miss Austen wouldn't have wanted anything to outshine or overpower her heroine, because Emma herself thinks she is the center of everything.
And this is where I am going to wrap up this post because, as I said, I want to do another post on all three of the Emma films I've watched.
I cannot tell you how excited I was to be able to go to Emerald City Comic-Con (henceforth referred to as ECCC) this year! It's been something I very much wanted to do for the past few years but I hadn't had the time, money, transportation, &tc...
This year, however, things changed!
Late last year, how I cannot recall, ECCC was brought to my attention. Having a new job and very few monetary responsibilities I knew I could afford going. But the struggle to find a character to co-splay soon drove the idea from my mind. Then, about a month and a half ago, looking through the "Geek" section of Pinterest* I remember my plans. I was soon foiled again! It seemed our churches women's retreat was scheduled for the Saturday that I had planned to go!! Tragedy had struck, for I would not skip either work or church to go on Friday or Sunday. It was never something I considered as an option. (Thank you, Dad & Mom for instilling love for the Lord and respect for those I work for/with into my thick skull)
By the time I looked at the church calendar and realized my mistake, for you see the retreat is next Saturday, it was too late!! Tickets for ECCC were sold out!
As the week wore on I struggled to contain my frustration and disappointment. How could I have not thought to check the schedule sooner?? Why do I not carry a pocket calendar in my purse to avoid such misunderstandings, as my mother so sweetly suggests??
I trudged to work every day, knowing that I had missed my chance this year, and that I had no one to blame but myself. I am ashamed to admit I did my fair amount of complaining. (I don't like that expression, is any amount of complaining fair? First world problems! anyway...) Mostly to my fellow infant room worker. But also to my boss. As it turns out, she wasn't able to go to ECCC as planned (But she was planning on it! How cool is that? I work with pretty cool people, let me just tell you that right now) Well, she had given her ticket to a family member, but her daughter and son-in-law were debating going because their little one wasn't feeling well. My boss told her daughter of my disappointment and the next thing I knew, I had two tickets to comic-con in my hands.
Well, not literally, because she had to go home and print the tickets off, but you know what I mean.
So that is how I ended up with Saturday tickets for ECCC on Friday!!
So, here is the conglomeration of photographs from the event.
They are kind of a jumbled mess. I apologize
Batman and the Joker
Maybe Peggy from Captain America? Well, she is gorgeous anyway.
Mustache hawker, and just plain cool dude
Arthur Dent
I want these on my bookshelf. I really do.
Wonder WomMan
Jack Sparrow helping Mario with his map. Note: Capt. Jack walked around behind Mario all day carrying the floating box for Mario's pictures.
Princess Leia. Her books title is "Galactic Rebellion for Dummies"
Eleven and Nine (Too bad they aren't swapped, then it'd be 9-11 bahahaha...I crack myself up!)
