If you were to sneak into my room some time (but let's keep this hypothetical for everyone's safety, yes?!), you would find... a pile of laundry. And past the clothing heaped on the floor you would see these huge bookshelves that Bear built for me. And on one of those shelves, you would see a row of nondescript journals that chronicle my life since elementary school. But you will not find my most embarrassing scribbles on the bookshelf.
In a drawer in my room (if you're a sneaky little devil who paws through things), you may find a huge pink book (really, truly massive and bright). In that book there are all sorts of pictures and things taped on the inside covers, and in the bulk of the book are several uncompleted manuscripts for books. Truly mortifying manuscript parts. Only a handful of people ever saw them when I was writing them in elementary, middle, and early high school, and nobody actually bothered to read the chapters through all the way (I know because the grammar and spelling corrections never made it past the first page, nor did any Doritos finger prints stray beyond the initial page). I think Bear may have read a couple pages once, but not much more.
The remnants of the stories that never were mock me from their drawer. They aren't terrible, but I did approach the whole "I want to be a writer" thing in a haphazard way. It went as follows: Daydream. Get an idea. Research cool names that nobody uses nor can pronounce that mean exactly what the characters destinies are and make a list so you don't confuse yourself. Sit down at a computer. Open Word. Go to town. Take a break. Get a soda. Have a snack. Write another chapter. Print everything. Go over it with a red pen. Cry. Rewrite. Forget about the story for so long you have no idea what your original plot was. Try to salvage the story anyway. Take a break. Get a soda. Fume. Stare at the screen. Will characters to remind you what their destiny was three months ago when the whole thing began. Give up. Print all pages. Stick in hot pink journal of shame. Find said journal eleven years later. Re-read. Learn that timelines and outlines are important.
Everything has a lesson, no matter how embarrassing. So, this time around, I am trying to do things the hard (read: correct) way. It's far better to move slow and steady and to have an outcome you are proud of, than to breeze through the writing with no direction and spend the next three years editing and uncovering the actual plot through piles of poetic and descriptive crap.
But sometimes I just want to WRITE, without the research and outlines. So I condense everything. I write down the main points. Do the characters need names? Will dialogue be necessary? How about I just work on forming something cohesive out of this strange language of ours and call it "practice".
And that's what I did today. Based loosely on Kevin Fox's novel Until Next Time and a crazy dream I had, I wrote this little 1,532-word story with nameless characters and ONE quote. So, if you're looking for something quick and easy to read, please follow the link and enjoy!
I've never really shared my writing before, because it is frankly a frightening thing to do. However, if I want to pursue creative writing, I'll have to let people read my work at some point. May as well begin sooner rather than later.
Anybody else out there baring their soul or making a necessary but frightening step in their life?
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Lack of Photos, Surplus of Ambition, and Big Changes
Lately, I haven't been taking many photos for fun. I have a series in my head that I will be putting into action... eventually... but I am mostly just enjoying the freedom of NOT having a business and NOT having to take pictures at all times. The things you love can lose their charm when you do them for monetary gain. I shot my final wedding on the books last weekend. It was lovely and I really enjoyed it, I LOVE the bride and groom and their families... but I am glad to step away from that capacity. It just wasn't ME.
The actual writing I've been up to has been on a little bit of a hold as I delve into research and, of course, continue to read insane amounts of fiction. I have an addiction to fiction. I admit it freely and without shame. I have no plans of going into remission, or seeking help in the matter. Don't judge me.
Bear and I are trying to quit smoking. Again. We have these nifty little futuristic electronic cigarettes that give us a dose of nicotine without all the tar and other chemicals of a traditional cigarette. Bear is doing really well, having completely switched over. I still have two "real" cigarettes a day, one with morning coffee, one before bed. If I don't have a pack in my possession (it doesn't have to be ON my person, just so I know I can have my two smokes at home) I literally have a panic attack. So this addiction is hard to kick, but I am proud to have dropped from a pack-a-day smoker to a two-cigarettes-a-day-and-a-few-drags-if-nicotine-from-an-ecigarette smoker. It's not perfect, but it IS better.
I've also been trying to eat healthier. I have never had a large appetite. Ever. I am lucky if I remember to eat a meal in a day. So I have been making that one meal I typically eat something that is better for me, with more balance. I limit the amount of soda and crap I drink, I don't drink a lot of alcohol (sometimes I go through "I hate booze" phases, too), and I try to make myself walk places more often and do physical things. My energy level is up and my pants size is down two sizes (almost three)!
It's a LOT of change. But, it had to happen at some point. It's really hard to try to keep it all up at one time, although I keep telling myself I CAN do it and I WILL do it. I WILL meet my NaNoWriMo goal for 2012. I WILL create a comprehensive art photo essay and I WILL submit it for a gallery exhibition. I WILL stop smoking. I WILL lose the last 15 pounds I want to lose. Why? Because I CAN.
What things are you trying to change in your life? What are your goals for the year? Best of luck!
The actual writing I've been up to has been on a little bit of a hold as I delve into research and, of course, continue to read insane amounts of fiction. I have an addiction to fiction. I admit it freely and without shame. I have no plans of going into remission, or seeking help in the matter. Don't judge me.
Bear and I are trying to quit smoking. Again. We have these nifty little futuristic electronic cigarettes that give us a dose of nicotine without all the tar and other chemicals of a traditional cigarette. Bear is doing really well, having completely switched over. I still have two "real" cigarettes a day, one with morning coffee, one before bed. If I don't have a pack in my possession (it doesn't have to be ON my person, just so I know I can have my two smokes at home) I literally have a panic attack. So this addiction is hard to kick, but I am proud to have dropped from a pack-a-day smoker to a two-cigarettes-a-day-and-a-few-drags-if-nicotine-from-an-ecigarette smoker. It's not perfect, but it IS better.
I've also been trying to eat healthier. I have never had a large appetite. Ever. I am lucky if I remember to eat a meal in a day. So I have been making that one meal I typically eat something that is better for me, with more balance. I limit the amount of soda and crap I drink, I don't drink a lot of alcohol (sometimes I go through "I hate booze" phases, too), and I try to make myself walk places more often and do physical things. My energy level is up and my pants size is down two sizes (almost three)!
It's a LOT of change. But, it had to happen at some point. It's really hard to try to keep it all up at one time, although I keep telling myself I CAN do it and I WILL do it. I WILL meet my NaNoWriMo goal for 2012. I WILL create a comprehensive art photo essay and I WILL submit it for a gallery exhibition. I WILL stop smoking. I WILL lose the last 15 pounds I want to lose. Why? Because I CAN.
What things are you trying to change in your life? What are your goals for the year? Best of luck!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Lost in a Land of Literature: An Alliterative Declaration
...Again.
This seems to happen quite frequently. I've decided that there are a few basic facts about me that will always remain true:
1- I am nocturnal.
2- My interests are cyclical, and the pattern therein is typically: write, read, create, repeat.
3- I will always love fantasy and science fiction despite the assumed stigmas associated with the genres.
4- I am a lazy person with an incredible imaginary drive.
How does that last one work? Well, I always have so many ideas banging around in my head, I cannot fathom letting one disintegrate into mental dust. Therefore, I decide to pursue all the ideas. Of course, that gets to be overwhelming in about 10 seconds. At this point, I change tact. Rather than attempt to organize my time to accomplish everything (what a stupidly rational idea THAT is), I determine to absently pursue everything at once. This begins with the practice of thinking on the ideas a great deal. Of course, thinking about something isn't the same thing as actually DOING it.
Here comes point number two: I focus on the idea that excites me the most. Lately, it's been the book (which I am technically supposed to write in November alone, but I may have caved and typed up the Prologue already, and half the rest of the story is written in various tiny journals in cramped, loopy script). This, of course, leads to more ideas about that particular conquest (again, right now, book). I make inquiries among friends and decide research is key. Research leads to more books. Talking about the idea refines it, but inevitably someone will say something like "that is kinda reminiscent of this book by this guy I read once..." BAM. Now I am hunting for that book by that guy to read so I can figure just how much of this idea has already been pursued. Of course, that book references the inspirational nature of another novel, and the hunt is on. I have suddenly flipped from writing like a maniac to reading like a compulsory.
Which segues to topic three. While I need to continue researching primary sources of actual scientific and historical texts, I keep pushing those imperative yet dry reads off for the more entertaining and imaginative fictions I so love. And damned if that doesn't result in a whole new mess of hunting out sequels and prequels and other-quels until I have managed to add another ten titles to my literary belt in under a week. Again.
With two jobs, the question is naturally, when does one have the time to neurotically read ten books in one week? We arrive at the first point of interest: I am nocturnal. The day may have been long. Things may be happening in the morning. But the moon is out, and I am wired to be a bug-eyed night walking (well, reading) speciman. No matter how tired I feel, I can never successfully doze off until sometime after 1am (lately, more like 4am). Obviously, logic dictates that rest is most easily succumbed to when one is in an inert state. Rather than run amok, trying to accomplish various tasks, it is incumbent upon me to simply rest my head on a pillow and mentally romp through worlds that do not exist on this plane we occupy. One can only surmise that the heavy hand of slumber will reach out to snatch me away presently... although it never seems to be very quick about it.
So, that has basically been my time spent since last posting. Chasing my various pursuits in my maniacal way (half a mental game of tag, half actual application).
What have you been up to, dear readers?!?!
This seems to happen quite frequently. I've decided that there are a few basic facts about me that will always remain true:
1- I am nocturnal.
2- My interests are cyclical, and the pattern therein is typically: write, read, create, repeat.
3- I will always love fantasy and science fiction despite the assumed stigmas associated with the genres.
4- I am a lazy person with an incredible imaginary drive.
How does that last one work? Well, I always have so many ideas banging around in my head, I cannot fathom letting one disintegrate into mental dust. Therefore, I decide to pursue all the ideas. Of course, that gets to be overwhelming in about 10 seconds. At this point, I change tact. Rather than attempt to organize my time to accomplish everything (what a stupidly rational idea THAT is), I determine to absently pursue everything at once. This begins with the practice of thinking on the ideas a great deal. Of course, thinking about something isn't the same thing as actually DOING it.
Here comes point number two: I focus on the idea that excites me the most. Lately, it's been the book (which I am technically supposed to write in November alone, but I may have caved and typed up the Prologue already, and half the rest of the story is written in various tiny journals in cramped, loopy script). This, of course, leads to more ideas about that particular conquest (again, right now, book). I make inquiries among friends and decide research is key. Research leads to more books. Talking about the idea refines it, but inevitably someone will say something like "that is kinda reminiscent of this book by this guy I read once..." BAM. Now I am hunting for that book by that guy to read so I can figure just how much of this idea has already been pursued. Of course, that book references the inspirational nature of another novel, and the hunt is on. I have suddenly flipped from writing like a maniac to reading like a compulsory.
Which segues to topic three. While I need to continue researching primary sources of actual scientific and historical texts, I keep pushing those imperative yet dry reads off for the more entertaining and imaginative fictions I so love. And damned if that doesn't result in a whole new mess of hunting out sequels and prequels and other-quels until I have managed to add another ten titles to my literary belt in under a week. Again.
With two jobs, the question is naturally, when does one have the time to neurotically read ten books in one week? We arrive at the first point of interest: I am nocturnal. The day may have been long. Things may be happening in the morning. But the moon is out, and I am wired to be a bug-eyed night walking (well, reading) speciman. No matter how tired I feel, I can never successfully doze off until sometime after 1am (lately, more like 4am). Obviously, logic dictates that rest is most easily succumbed to when one is in an inert state. Rather than run amok, trying to accomplish various tasks, it is incumbent upon me to simply rest my head on a pillow and mentally romp through worlds that do not exist on this plane we occupy. One can only surmise that the heavy hand of slumber will reach out to snatch me away presently... although it never seems to be very quick about it.
So, that has basically been my time spent since last posting. Chasing my various pursuits in my maniacal way (half a mental game of tag, half actual application).
What have you been up to, dear readers?!?!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Hive Mind
The hive mind is an amazing thing. Think about it. Bees communicate discoveries to one another through a series of dances and buzzes, and gather other bees to their side through their unique displays. The side that displays the most exuberance usually sways the rest of the colony towards a decision in their favor. Hive mind. Amazing.
So, I am putting this idea to use in a different way. I am trying to write a novel, as I have mentioned before. It's almost all-consuming. Lots of research and plot planning and timelines and deadlines and daydreaming and nightmares and picking up inspiration from every which direction.
Inspiration can come from anything, anywhere. I decided to use Facebook as a tool for my benefit rather than a time suck. I asked all my friends (a considerable amount from moving and networking) to comment on my status their favorite names for a girl and a boy. Having a list of potential first names for characters will help. I know a lot of people, and I trust their opinions. Not to mention, names coming from different people in different locations can lead to amazing things!
So, here it is the same deal. Ask a friend. Direct them here. I want as many potential names from different backgrounds and nationalities, different social spheres... even made-up names... as possible to draw from.
Let's use the power of the hive mind and make some magic!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Lost in Austen
I had the strangest day. Bear's SUV is in the shop for the time being, as it will no longer shift into park, so I have been waking with him before the sun to get him to work. I am not a morning person. But I've been trying to stay awake all day so as to reset my own sleep schedule. While I manage to stay awake all day, I still have the worst insomnia, so now I am getting about four hours of sleep a night. Needless to say, I feel AWESOME.
Tomorrow I plan to wake with the sun and run to the most magical place on Earth... the DMV. I need my married name on my license before we head off to honeymoonland on Friday! I cannot wait to ride the train to FL! Eeep!
Anyway, back to the early rising thing. I drop Bear off, I get back home, I look at the laundry mountain. I remember errands that need to be done. Then I remember that the awesome new flatscreen TV we have and that we FINALLY figured out how to connect the Wii to the internet. This means I can stream Netflix. And I have.
Today was, apparently, the day that I got lost in Austen. Literally, I did watch the film Lost in Austen, and found it quite amusing. I followed it up with Mansfield Park, which I am now endeavoring to read.
I find my predicament hilarious. I hated the Jane Austen movie fad with a vengeance that only those ignorant of a thing can have. I guess ignorance does breed hate. Now that I have accepted, read, and LIKED an Austen book, it seems I have contracted a classic literature disease.
I hope I don't lose any limbs due to the illness, but if I do, rest assured. I shall write the most tragically sensible romance of the whole experience, in which I find myself in a higher social station than when I began, with a man who absolutely adores me, even though we were entirely repulsed and/or unaware of each other when the story began... and even though I am missing my appendages. Hahaha
What (slightly embarrassing things) have you been into lately?
xo
Tomorrow I plan to wake with the sun and run to the most magical place on Earth... the DMV. I need my married name on my license before we head off to honeymoonland on Friday! I cannot wait to ride the train to FL! Eeep!
Anyway, back to the early rising thing. I drop Bear off, I get back home, I look at the laundry mountain. I remember errands that need to be done. Then I remember that the awesome new flatscreen TV we have and that we FINALLY figured out how to connect the Wii to the internet. This means I can stream Netflix. And I have.
Today was, apparently, the day that I got lost in Austen. Literally, I did watch the film Lost in Austen, and found it quite amusing. I followed it up with Mansfield Park, which I am now endeavoring to read.
I find my predicament hilarious. I hated the Jane Austen movie fad with a vengeance that only those ignorant of a thing can have. I guess ignorance does breed hate. Now that I have accepted, read, and LIKED an Austen book, it seems I have contracted a classic literature disease.
I hope I don't lose any limbs due to the illness, but if I do, rest assured. I shall write the most tragically sensible romance of the whole experience, in which I find myself in a higher social station than when I began, with a man who absolutely adores me, even though we were entirely repulsed and/or unaware of each other when the story began... and even though I am missing my appendages. Hahaha
What (slightly embarrassing things) have you been into lately?
xo
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Bookshelf Addition: "Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country" by Rosalind Miles
When life gets stressful (hello wedding and holiday madness) I am a master of the art of escapism. I hole up in the dark hours between "when all good people go to sleep" and "when all good people wake to face the day" and read myself out of my stress. Which is fine. Unless I have an early morning.
I just finished Rosalind Miles' Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country, the first of her trilogy of novels exploring Arthurian lore. I say "exploring" rather than "based on" because some of the viewpoints are so totally different than any I had ever taken into account from the story before.
Be forewarned, the book is NOT what I consider appropriate for children or even some teens, and my review may reflect that a little too accurately for some readers (although I promise I was as scholarly and subtle as I could be). Also, there is discussion of religion involved. I do not have any problems with Christians (I was raised one) or pagans and neither does the author (as noted in a section at the back of the novel). Religion, you will learn, is an important factor in the times and places of the novel and is included as accurately as possible. That's my disclaimer on that.
In the novel, you meet the same beloved (or hated) characters; Guenevere, Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot, Morgan, Mordred... but what I plan to discuss about this novel are the new-to-me themes that I never considered when listening to/watching/reading Arthurian lore in the past.
Miles explores the depths of the characters in a way that I had never come across in the vein of Arthurian lore before. Each character's back story is established and embellished based on their family situation, religious beliefs, and gender roles with a great amount of heart and soul. While the characters drive the plot, and the plot is hardly a complete mystery, Miles also focuses on the role of religion and gender in the story many know so well.
Guenevere was born Princess of the Summer Country, a region where the Goddess is still worshiped freely and the Mother-Rule is recognized. Here, the Queen seems to hold central power, and is encouraged to choose a new champion (read: lover) every seven years, a right known as "thigh-friendship" (yes, I giggled like the adult I am). She is answerable to no man, and is revered above all.
Meanwhile, Arthur's story of being born through the rape of Lady Igraine by Uther Pendragon remains the same, or so similar there is really no need to delve into the tale here. Merlin's price for giving Igraine to Uther through use of magic and deception is the boy who resulted from that union... Arthur. Arthur is thereby raised by a trusted lord as a foster son, heavily influenced by Merlin, and his religious affiliations acknowledge both the Goddess and the more recent influence in Briton of the Christians. Merlin intended Arthur to marry a Christian girl, for the sole purpose that Christianity is a religion that teaches that women are subordinate to their husbands and all men. Merlin had hoped that Arthur would be easily manipulated with a wife who lacked spirit, but of course Arthur picks Guenevere, a Queen of her own lands who was raised to remain unanswerable to men.
Merlin is tricky in and of himself. As in other Arthurian novels, it is difficult to decipher if Merlin is a man of "white" or "black" magic. He is at once good and evil; the reader's perception of him alters as he is scrutinized in the eyes of the various characters. In Guenevere's eyes, he has been related to her as an evil man her entire life. She sees him as a cackling, lustful, vile creature bent on using Arthur as a puppet to gain rule of the British Isles. Merlin was also born of the Pendragon line, another bastard like Arthur, and she believes Merlin to be using Arthur to make his revenge on fate. Arthur, meanwhile, has grown up revering Merlin as a wise man and a sort of father figure, and feels Merlin can do no wrong. He also prides himself on being Merlin's pet, and believes wholeheartedly in the fate Merlin has foreseen for him; becoming High King.
Morgan again is seen in more depth. Not the ugly child she is sometimes portrayed to be, Morgan was in fact a beautiful youth, but too young to marry when Uther discarded Igraine's children from her previous union. Morgan was sent to live in a Christian convent for twenty years. Here again is an example of the conflict of the two prominent religions and their views on women's rights. Morgan, originally a daughter of the land of the Goddess, was handed off to Christians, who taught her that her being a woman came with original sin. The Abbess beat her and scourged her soul of the Goddess, taught her needlepoint and servitude and guilt. Morgan was born Otherworldly, with a power that clung to her. Even in the convent she knew this, and in her own way, fostered the ideals of the Goddess and the Old Ways, even in this world of Christ. Her character is especially multifaceted, as it always is, because she expressed to the outside world a solemn, reverent and mousy woman of God. Inside, she honed her power like a spear and fed the revenge she desired for the mistreating of her parents, sister and self. As is generally known in the legend, her revenge is realized through seduction and incest with Arthur, bearing Mordred, the boy who would eventually end Arthur's reign.
Lancelot is unmarried in this novel, and seeks Guenevere out to be his Queen... as in, to become the head of her knights. Their mutual forbidden love story is like a flame, burning furiously but short lived. His character, however, is not as simple and hollow as "knight in shining armor". Lancelot battles his devotions to his duty, King, Queen, and heart in a human fashion, making his character less of a lecher or cookie-cutter knight and more realistic.
Nemue is also a character in the novel, albeit a smaller role than I had originally anticipated. She is a mistress of the Lady of the Lake and the Goddess herself on Avalon, catching Merlin's eye much to her chagrin. She plays an important role for Guenevere and Merlin, and I fully expect more to develop on her in the coming novels.
This novel is only the first in a series of three. While many of the high points of the legend are including in it's text (Arthur and Guenevere's meeting, wedding, first born... Morgan begetting Mordred... Arthur becoming King... Guenevere and Lancelot's love affair...) there are other milestones yet to appear. I anticipate that they will appear in the later two novels.
My only qualm is that most of the novel is written from the point of view of Guenevere, as is evident in the title, and I feel her character has the potential to be so much stronger than she is (and she gets a bit whiny and "woe is me", which irritated me to no end). I understand, of course, that all good characters have their flaws and that is what makes them multifaceted and human. It is merely that the character I would most like to get into the head of is Morgan. Then again, I have always felt this way.
Miles has put a lot of research into her Guenevere series, trying to create characters that are not only similar to those we know from the classic tale, but resembling who the people may have been who the characters are based on. In understanding the religious, political, territorial and gender placement issues of the times, her world is easily accepted and imagined. The novel is heavily detailed, without becoming over saturated in erroneous detail (as much as I love The Lord of the Rings movies, Tolkien's habit of detailing every little thing drove me mad). The characters are all realistically flawed and driven by their own ambitions and fears, overlooking the magic of course. Occasionally, I was confused when the voice of a chapter switched from one character to another, but overall I was enthralled throughout.
I highly recommend this novel to a mature adult audience. The book is not child friendly, and some may argue that it is not appropriate for some young adult readers as well. Within the first twenty pages I came across the first fairly graphic sexual scene. That being said, I strongly feel that the sex and violence included are not added merely as lascivious tangents to captivate the audience, but are a reminder of the presumed times, and often are situations that reflect a character's motives for their later or former actions. Basically, the book demands a responsible audience to appreciate it for what it is. If you feel inclined to read it, and are capable of handling the subject matter, I think you will find it an enjoyable (and fairly addictive) read!
I just finished Rosalind Miles' Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country, the first of her trilogy of novels exploring Arthurian lore. I say "exploring" rather than "based on" because some of the viewpoints are so totally different than any I had ever taken into account from the story before.
Be forewarned, the book is NOT what I consider appropriate for children or even some teens, and my review may reflect that a little too accurately for some readers (although I promise I was as scholarly and subtle as I could be). Also, there is discussion of religion involved. I do not have any problems with Christians (I was raised one) or pagans and neither does the author (as noted in a section at the back of the novel). Religion, you will learn, is an important factor in the times and places of the novel and is included as accurately as possible. That's my disclaimer on that.
In the novel, you meet the same beloved (or hated) characters; Guenevere, Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot, Morgan, Mordred... but what I plan to discuss about this novel are the new-to-me themes that I never considered when listening to/watching/reading Arthurian lore in the past.
Miles explores the depths of the characters in a way that I had never come across in the vein of Arthurian lore before. Each character's back story is established and embellished based on their family situation, religious beliefs, and gender roles with a great amount of heart and soul. While the characters drive the plot, and the plot is hardly a complete mystery, Miles also focuses on the role of religion and gender in the story many know so well.
Guenevere was born Princess of the Summer Country, a region where the Goddess is still worshiped freely and the Mother-Rule is recognized. Here, the Queen seems to hold central power, and is encouraged to choose a new champion (read: lover) every seven years, a right known as "thigh-friendship" (yes, I giggled like the adult I am). She is answerable to no man, and is revered above all.
Meanwhile, Arthur's story of being born through the rape of Lady Igraine by Uther Pendragon remains the same, or so similar there is really no need to delve into the tale here. Merlin's price for giving Igraine to Uther through use of magic and deception is the boy who resulted from that union... Arthur. Arthur is thereby raised by a trusted lord as a foster son, heavily influenced by Merlin, and his religious affiliations acknowledge both the Goddess and the more recent influence in Briton of the Christians. Merlin intended Arthur to marry a Christian girl, for the sole purpose that Christianity is a religion that teaches that women are subordinate to their husbands and all men. Merlin had hoped that Arthur would be easily manipulated with a wife who lacked spirit, but of course Arthur picks Guenevere, a Queen of her own lands who was raised to remain unanswerable to men.
Merlin is tricky in and of himself. As in other Arthurian novels, it is difficult to decipher if Merlin is a man of "white" or "black" magic. He is at once good and evil; the reader's perception of him alters as he is scrutinized in the eyes of the various characters. In Guenevere's eyes, he has been related to her as an evil man her entire life. She sees him as a cackling, lustful, vile creature bent on using Arthur as a puppet to gain rule of the British Isles. Merlin was also born of the Pendragon line, another bastard like Arthur, and she believes Merlin to be using Arthur to make his revenge on fate. Arthur, meanwhile, has grown up revering Merlin as a wise man and a sort of father figure, and feels Merlin can do no wrong. He also prides himself on being Merlin's pet, and believes wholeheartedly in the fate Merlin has foreseen for him; becoming High King.
Morgan again is seen in more depth. Not the ugly child she is sometimes portrayed to be, Morgan was in fact a beautiful youth, but too young to marry when Uther discarded Igraine's children from her previous union. Morgan was sent to live in a Christian convent for twenty years. Here again is an example of the conflict of the two prominent religions and their views on women's rights. Morgan, originally a daughter of the land of the Goddess, was handed off to Christians, who taught her that her being a woman came with original sin. The Abbess beat her and scourged her soul of the Goddess, taught her needlepoint and servitude and guilt. Morgan was born Otherworldly, with a power that clung to her. Even in the convent she knew this, and in her own way, fostered the ideals of the Goddess and the Old Ways, even in this world of Christ. Her character is especially multifaceted, as it always is, because she expressed to the outside world a solemn, reverent and mousy woman of God. Inside, she honed her power like a spear and fed the revenge she desired for the mistreating of her parents, sister and self. As is generally known in the legend, her revenge is realized through seduction and incest with Arthur, bearing Mordred, the boy who would eventually end Arthur's reign.
Lancelot is unmarried in this novel, and seeks Guenevere out to be his Queen... as in, to become the head of her knights. Their mutual forbidden love story is like a flame, burning furiously but short lived. His character, however, is not as simple and hollow as "knight in shining armor". Lancelot battles his devotions to his duty, King, Queen, and heart in a human fashion, making his character less of a lecher or cookie-cutter knight and more realistic.
Nemue is also a character in the novel, albeit a smaller role than I had originally anticipated. She is a mistress of the Lady of the Lake and the Goddess herself on Avalon, catching Merlin's eye much to her chagrin. She plays an important role for Guenevere and Merlin, and I fully expect more to develop on her in the coming novels.
This novel is only the first in a series of three. While many of the high points of the legend are including in it's text (Arthur and Guenevere's meeting, wedding, first born... Morgan begetting Mordred... Arthur becoming King... Guenevere and Lancelot's love affair...) there are other milestones yet to appear. I anticipate that they will appear in the later two novels.
My only qualm is that most of the novel is written from the point of view of Guenevere, as is evident in the title, and I feel her character has the potential to be so much stronger than she is (and she gets a bit whiny and "woe is me", which irritated me to no end). I understand, of course, that all good characters have their flaws and that is what makes them multifaceted and human. It is merely that the character I would most like to get into the head of is Morgan. Then again, I have always felt this way.
Miles has put a lot of research into her Guenevere series, trying to create characters that are not only similar to those we know from the classic tale, but resembling who the people may have been who the characters are based on. In understanding the religious, political, territorial and gender placement issues of the times, her world is easily accepted and imagined. The novel is heavily detailed, without becoming over saturated in erroneous detail (as much as I love The Lord of the Rings movies, Tolkien's habit of detailing every little thing drove me mad). The characters are all realistically flawed and driven by their own ambitions and fears, overlooking the magic of course. Occasionally, I was confused when the voice of a chapter switched from one character to another, but overall I was enthralled throughout.
I highly recommend this novel to a mature adult audience. The book is not child friendly, and some may argue that it is not appropriate for some young adult readers as well. Within the first twenty pages I came across the first fairly graphic sexual scene. That being said, I strongly feel that the sex and violence included are not added merely as lascivious tangents to captivate the audience, but are a reminder of the presumed times, and often are situations that reflect a character's motives for their later or former actions. Basically, the book demands a responsible audience to appreciate it for what it is. If you feel inclined to read it, and are capable of handling the subject matter, I think you will find it an enjoyable (and fairly addictive) read!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Bookshelf Addition: Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Confession: I love YA Fiction. I live for the worlds authors create. And I work in an academic library. Ha.
I actually have read a couple books that I forgot to blog about, or perhaps I just was lazy, since the books I have read recently are anthology collections of short works of fiction originally published in literary magazines or by small independent publishing houses in collections of short fiction by various artists. How's that for a run on sentence? And Word isn't going to yell at me about it, because I use commas like a champ.
Anyway, I took a collective work of Charles de Lint to Indiana with me, as I was on the last of the stories and figured another hour would be all I needed to finish the work. Then I remembered I get terrible motion sickness if I read in the car, and as our actual visit was pretty jam packed, the book remained unread. Additionally, because I am a thinker, I brought along my new copy of Libba Bray's Rebel Angels, the second book of her Gemma Doyle series. I figured I would have PLENTY of time to read that as well, since the novels are gripping but fairly easy reads, and I only had that one short story left to finish the previous book.
So, that is the erroneous back story. I wound up reading nothing until I got home. I also have this awesome head cold, which usually leaves me moaning and lounging around in bed, reading for hours on end and demanding tea and water from my somehoe-still-in-love-with-me Bear. He puts up with a lot of abuse when I feel ill. Good man.
Tuesday I left work early because I was in a lot of pain and I felt like poo and nobody likes a librarian who coughs on them. I came home and made a beeline to the bedroom, where I wrapped up in a million blankets and cuddled a hot water bottle and decided now is the time to return to the realms. See, I had read the first novel of the series, A Great and Terrible Beauty, back in high school because I was enamored by the front cover. I believe Patchie currently has that book. I decided that even though I couldn't reread the previous novel, I remembered the important plot lines and could continue without much confusion. Fast forward to four in the morning, when Bear is asleep and the cats have calmed down... there I am, still wrapped up like a burritto, reading by the twinkle light headboard. It's amazing how reading about a completely different world than your own can make your troubles seem so far away.
So, on to the review. Which is supposed to be the whole point of this post.
Let's start with a little information from the previous novel, A Great and Terrible Beauty, shall we? Gemma Doyle lives in India with her parents and her brother Tom, until her mother and the Indian man Amar who is always with her as a sort of bodyguard, are mysteriously murdered at the bazaar. Gemma learns of her mother's fate in a vision, in which a large otherworldly creature descends upon her mother after devouring Amar. Arriving at her mother's side as she dies, she is given her mother's beloved half moon amulet as protection. Devastated, her father moves the family back to London, where Gemma's grandmother still resides. Gemma is sent to Spence Academy, a finishing school for English girls. There, she meets Ann, her roommate and a scholarship student, sent to school by a wealthy cousin who hopes to later employ her as a governess to her own children. Ann is a little doughy, orphaned, and has constant sniffles, which, in conjunction with her scholarship status, makes her a bit of a social pariah. Gemma also meets Felicity, daughter or a well-known Admiral, head strong, blonde with grey eyes like steel and the need to win at everything. Felicity's best friend Pippa rounds out the group of friends. Pippa is beautiful with black hair and violet eyes, the epitome of Victorian idealistic beauty, with a romantic streak that overshadows everything else in her eyes. The girls find the diary of a certain Mary Dowd, which discusses her adventures with a Sarah Rees-Toome. In these adventures, the girls gain access to another world full of magic, referred to as the realms, and discover they hold the power of an ancient society of priestesses known as the Order. Over time, Sarah begins to lose her magic and binds herself to the evil creatures of the Winterlands in desperation, murdering a small Gypsy girl as a sacrifice to grant her power. Mary tries to stop her as well as the then-headmistress of Spence, but they knock over a candle in the struggle, burning down a wing of the school. All are presumed dead, but Gemma soon discovers her mother was Mary Dowd, and Sarah has become their arch nemesis, Circe. Gemma, Felicity, Pippa and Ann create their own Order and begin to explore the realms, as the magic Mary Dowd once possessed is in Gemma's blood. The girls are aided by a member of the Rakshana, the league of men bound to protect members of the Order, named Kartik. By the end of the novel, the girls have defeated Circe's huntsman, but Pippa gives up her mortal life to live in the realms with a knight she created for herself. In the real world, her body is buried and the other girls return home until the next school year.
Okay, now onto the recent novel, Rebel Angels. Back at Spence, Gemma, Felicity and Ann yearn to return to the realms. They are uncertain as to how they will be now, since Gemma destroyed the ancient ruins that housed the realms magic in her battle with Circe's demon. Ultimately, they finally return to find Pippa still there. This was a bit confusing because Pippa was supposed to have crossed over with her knight when she gave up her mortal life... remaining in the realms could corrupt her spirit and send her to the beasties of the Winterlands. Kartik turns up on a mission from the Rakshana and tells Gemma that she must find the sacred temple in the realms and bind the magic "to the Eastern Star", or the magic will be available for all the realms creatures to use to their own ends... and more importantly, Circe could seize the magic and use it to unleash horrible things into the real world. Gemma begins her journey into the realms, trying to locate the temple. Pippa, who has had time in the realms to learn more of their secrets than the other girls, acts as a guide, even though Gemma has been warned not to trust anyone or anything that resides in the realms. The girls have no luck and eventually leave school for the Christmas holidays. At this point in the novel, there is much excitement over balls, courting, operas, and other rights of passage for Victorian girls in England. The trio meet up as often as they can to enter the realms and continue their journey without much luck. Finally, Gemma learns of a Miss Nell Hawkins, an inmate at the asylum her brother Tom works at, who believes she belongs to the Order and is being hunted by Circe and angry spirits. Under the guise of charity, Gemma seeks out Nell and tells her she believes her stories. She begs Nell for any information of the temple. Nell rips the half moon amulet from Gemma's neck and bangs it up, then holds it like a compass and tells Gemma to find the true path. Later, Nell recites a cryptic poem, loaded with riddles about the realms that Gemma must decipher. Meanwhile, Gemma meets a young man named Simon with whom she is interested, and must figure out her emotions between Simon and Kartik... A mysterious new teacher at Spence hints at a true identity more sinister than an art teacher, one that the girls fear and are determined to discover... An old friend and teacher stumbles back into their lives, and proves to be either an ally or a foe... And Pippa demonstrates the same sweet nature as always with a deep hidden feral love or carnage...
I don't want to give it all away, and there is definitely more happening than I went over in the reviews. I recommend this series for people who enjoy YA Fiction, Fantasy, and fiction set in the Victorian era. It's also wonderful for late middle school through high school readers. There are scenes in which the girls go to church, if you are wary about that sort of thing, but there isn't really any agenda with that... it's there because it was a part of the times. There is magic also, but it is never the solve all to life's problems. I know some people have issues with that, but it is an important part of the plot... and no, you won't close the book as a super Wiccan or anything. :)
Have you read any books you recommend lately?
As always, click on an image to see the original URL on Flickr! :)
I actually have read a couple books that I forgot to blog about, or perhaps I just was lazy, since the books I have read recently are anthology collections of short works of fiction originally published in literary magazines or by small independent publishing houses in collections of short fiction by various artists. How's that for a run on sentence? And Word isn't going to yell at me about it, because I use commas like a champ.
Anyway, I took a collective work of Charles de Lint to Indiana with me, as I was on the last of the stories and figured another hour would be all I needed to finish the work. Then I remembered I get terrible motion sickness if I read in the car, and as our actual visit was pretty jam packed, the book remained unread. Additionally, because I am a thinker, I brought along my new copy of Libba Bray's Rebel Angels, the second book of her Gemma Doyle series. I figured I would have PLENTY of time to read that as well, since the novels are gripping but fairly easy reads, and I only had that one short story left to finish the previous book.
So, that is the erroneous back story. I wound up reading nothing until I got home. I also have this awesome head cold, which usually leaves me moaning and lounging around in bed, reading for hours on end and demanding tea and water from my somehoe-still-in-love-with-me Bear. He puts up with a lot of abuse when I feel ill. Good man.
Tuesday I left work early because I was in a lot of pain and I felt like poo and nobody likes a librarian who coughs on them. I came home and made a beeline to the bedroom, where I wrapped up in a million blankets and cuddled a hot water bottle and decided now is the time to return to the realms. See, I had read the first novel of the series, A Great and Terrible Beauty, back in high school because I was enamored by the front cover. I believe Patchie currently has that book. I decided that even though I couldn't reread the previous novel, I remembered the important plot lines and could continue without much confusion. Fast forward to four in the morning, when Bear is asleep and the cats have calmed down... there I am, still wrapped up like a burritto, reading by the twinkle light headboard. It's amazing how reading about a completely different world than your own can make your troubles seem so far away.
So, on to the review. Which is supposed to be the whole point of this post.
Let's start with a little information from the previous novel, A Great and Terrible Beauty, shall we? Gemma Doyle lives in India with her parents and her brother Tom, until her mother and the Indian man Amar who is always with her as a sort of bodyguard, are mysteriously murdered at the bazaar. Gemma learns of her mother's fate in a vision, in which a large otherworldly creature descends upon her mother after devouring Amar. Arriving at her mother's side as she dies, she is given her mother's beloved half moon amulet as protection. Devastated, her father moves the family back to London, where Gemma's grandmother still resides. Gemma is sent to Spence Academy, a finishing school for English girls. There, she meets Ann, her roommate and a scholarship student, sent to school by a wealthy cousin who hopes to later employ her as a governess to her own children. Ann is a little doughy, orphaned, and has constant sniffles, which, in conjunction with her scholarship status, makes her a bit of a social pariah. Gemma also meets Felicity, daughter or a well-known Admiral, head strong, blonde with grey eyes like steel and the need to win at everything. Felicity's best friend Pippa rounds out the group of friends. Pippa is beautiful with black hair and violet eyes, the epitome of Victorian idealistic beauty, with a romantic streak that overshadows everything else in her eyes. The girls find the diary of a certain Mary Dowd, which discusses her adventures with a Sarah Rees-Toome. In these adventures, the girls gain access to another world full of magic, referred to as the realms, and discover they hold the power of an ancient society of priestesses known as the Order. Over time, Sarah begins to lose her magic and binds herself to the evil creatures of the Winterlands in desperation, murdering a small Gypsy girl as a sacrifice to grant her power. Mary tries to stop her as well as the then-headmistress of Spence, but they knock over a candle in the struggle, burning down a wing of the school. All are presumed dead, but Gemma soon discovers her mother was Mary Dowd, and Sarah has become their arch nemesis, Circe. Gemma, Felicity, Pippa and Ann create their own Order and begin to explore the realms, as the magic Mary Dowd once possessed is in Gemma's blood. The girls are aided by a member of the Rakshana, the league of men bound to protect members of the Order, named Kartik. By the end of the novel, the girls have defeated Circe's huntsman, but Pippa gives up her mortal life to live in the realms with a knight she created for herself. In the real world, her body is buried and the other girls return home until the next school year.
Okay, now onto the recent novel, Rebel Angels. Back at Spence, Gemma, Felicity and Ann yearn to return to the realms. They are uncertain as to how they will be now, since Gemma destroyed the ancient ruins that housed the realms magic in her battle with Circe's demon. Ultimately, they finally return to find Pippa still there. This was a bit confusing because Pippa was supposed to have crossed over with her knight when she gave up her mortal life... remaining in the realms could corrupt her spirit and send her to the beasties of the Winterlands. Kartik turns up on a mission from the Rakshana and tells Gemma that she must find the sacred temple in the realms and bind the magic "to the Eastern Star", or the magic will be available for all the realms creatures to use to their own ends... and more importantly, Circe could seize the magic and use it to unleash horrible things into the real world. Gemma begins her journey into the realms, trying to locate the temple. Pippa, who has had time in the realms to learn more of their secrets than the other girls, acts as a guide, even though Gemma has been warned not to trust anyone or anything that resides in the realms. The girls have no luck and eventually leave school for the Christmas holidays. At this point in the novel, there is much excitement over balls, courting, operas, and other rights of passage for Victorian girls in England. The trio meet up as often as they can to enter the realms and continue their journey without much luck. Finally, Gemma learns of a Miss Nell Hawkins, an inmate at the asylum her brother Tom works at, who believes she belongs to the Order and is being hunted by Circe and angry spirits. Under the guise of charity, Gemma seeks out Nell and tells her she believes her stories. She begs Nell for any information of the temple. Nell rips the half moon amulet from Gemma's neck and bangs it up, then holds it like a compass and tells Gemma to find the true path. Later, Nell recites a cryptic poem, loaded with riddles about the realms that Gemma must decipher. Meanwhile, Gemma meets a young man named Simon with whom she is interested, and must figure out her emotions between Simon and Kartik... A mysterious new teacher at Spence hints at a true identity more sinister than an art teacher, one that the girls fear and are determined to discover... An old friend and teacher stumbles back into their lives, and proves to be either an ally or a foe... And Pippa demonstrates the same sweet nature as always with a deep hidden feral love or carnage...
I don't want to give it all away, and there is definitely more happening than I went over in the reviews. I recommend this series for people who enjoy YA Fiction, Fantasy, and fiction set in the Victorian era. It's also wonderful for late middle school through high school readers. There are scenes in which the girls go to church, if you are wary about that sort of thing, but there isn't really any agenda with that... it's there because it was a part of the times. There is magic also, but it is never the solve all to life's problems. I know some people have issues with that, but it is an important part of the plot... and no, you won't close the book as a super Wiccan or anything. :)
Have you read any books you recommend lately?
As always, click on an image to see the original URL on Flickr! :)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thunderstorm Tuesday
Holy moly are we getting rained out this season! Already we had a power outage at work, and now I've developed a new fear of sink holes suddenly manifesting under my car on the highway! AHHH!
Anyway, I finished The Lovely Bones on Saturday and I've been thinking a lot about this library feature on the blog. I was so excited to figure it out, and get books on the page... I realized I should refrain doing that until I actually post a synopsis! haha
So, here's my bit on the book. I recommend NOT reading it immediately after suffering the loss of someone close to you, especially if they're young. Even though they were hopefully not murder victims, you may find yourself thinking "is that where they are? In some inbetween where they can't quite let go of the world but are no longer in it?" And it's sad.
Otherwise, it's a tremendous read. On my last post, I got a comment about the pacing of the book being slow, but I think this is on purpose. Susie, being dead, has nothing left to her but time, so since the novel is from her perspective, the narrative follows multiple characters at once and slowly weaves around as the years unfold. She can follow everyone from her Heaven at once, which can be a little confusing or frustrating, especially when her murderer is able to escape and you know exactly where the detective was and why he missed the signs.
If you are like me, and first saw the movie, there are definitely differences between the two you should be aware of. As in most book-to-movie scenarios, there are a lot more characters in the book. In the film, three of the novel's characters are rolled into one movie character. Most of this is piddly little detail things that you'll notice as you read, and if you are a visual thinker like I am, all three of these characters will wear the same actor's face who portrayed the three-in-one character in the movie. The book is not nearly as wildly whimsical as the film, which of course went for the visual wow factor. That's not to say the book is lacking in imagination, because it has that in abundance. It's just a different visual and feel. Mostly, the order of events is completely different between the two. Things that didn't happen till the end of the movie happen in the first few pages of the book. Again, I chalk that up to suspense for the film, and the cinematic order of lead-in/climax/conclusion. The novel doesn't follow that neat arc of importance of events we all studied in school and have learned to expect in literature.
Personally, I like both the novel and film equally, for totally different reasons. The novel had a lot more insight and realism, such as sex and sexual motive, which was omitted but alluded to in the film. The film carried more whimsy and surrealism, which gained it a broader audience in terms of the subject matter. Both are works of art and can stand alone in their own mediums.
I highly recommend reading this novel, and look forward to hearing any other thoughts on it! As usual, the images were found on Flickr and link back to their original sources.
Have a wonderful Tuesday (even if you find yourself in as overcast a day as we've had)! Tomorrow I have a wedding video post for you! xo
Anyway, I finished The Lovely Bones on Saturday and I've been thinking a lot about this library feature on the blog. I was so excited to figure it out, and get books on the page... I realized I should refrain doing that until I actually post a synopsis! haha
So, here's my bit on the book. I recommend NOT reading it immediately after suffering the loss of someone close to you, especially if they're young. Even though they were hopefully not murder victims, you may find yourself thinking "is that where they are? In some inbetween where they can't quite let go of the world but are no longer in it?" And it's sad.
Otherwise, it's a tremendous read. On my last post, I got a comment about the pacing of the book being slow, but I think this is on purpose. Susie, being dead, has nothing left to her but time, so since the novel is from her perspective, the narrative follows multiple characters at once and slowly weaves around as the years unfold. She can follow everyone from her Heaven at once, which can be a little confusing or frustrating, especially when her murderer is able to escape and you know exactly where the detective was and why he missed the signs.
If you are like me, and first saw the movie, there are definitely differences between the two you should be aware of. As in most book-to-movie scenarios, there are a lot more characters in the book. In the film, three of the novel's characters are rolled into one movie character. Most of this is piddly little detail things that you'll notice as you read, and if you are a visual thinker like I am, all three of these characters will wear the same actor's face who portrayed the three-in-one character in the movie. The book is not nearly as wildly whimsical as the film, which of course went for the visual wow factor. That's not to say the book is lacking in imagination, because it has that in abundance. It's just a different visual and feel. Mostly, the order of events is completely different between the two. Things that didn't happen till the end of the movie happen in the first few pages of the book. Again, I chalk that up to suspense for the film, and the cinematic order of lead-in/climax/conclusion. The novel doesn't follow that neat arc of importance of events we all studied in school and have learned to expect in literature.
Personally, I like both the novel and film equally, for totally different reasons. The novel had a lot more insight and realism, such as sex and sexual motive, which was omitted but alluded to in the film. The film carried more whimsy and surrealism, which gained it a broader audience in terms of the subject matter. Both are works of art and can stand alone in their own mediums.
I highly recommend reading this novel, and look forward to hearing any other thoughts on it! As usual, the images were found on Flickr and link back to their original sources.
Have a wonderful Tuesday (even if you find yourself in as overcast a day as we've had)! Tomorrow I have a wedding video post for you! xo
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Pssst... Updates!
I forgot to mention, but you probably already noticed, that the blog has some new tweaks to it! I also added a new page on the bar above, called My Library. If you go there, you can see all the books I've read or am currently reading. Clicking on any of them links you back to where I blogged about them! Neato!
I got the idea from this page on Food Coma. I loved it so much, I wanted to see if I could do something similar. I am not sure if we are going about it the same way, but it works the same way, which makes me super happy!
I got the idea from this page on Food Coma. I loved it so much, I wanted to see if I could do something similar. I am not sure if we are going about it the same way, but it works the same way, which makes me super happy!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
New Read...
Hello! Last night after work I curled up in bed, turned on the twinkle light "headboard" and finished reading Dracula. I don't think I mentioned before that I have the beautiful new Penguin Classics art edition?!?! Bear had a pour at 4am, so I actually saw him off to work before I went to sleep. Then I was still wired and the house smelled like coffee... and I find it is difficult to go to sleep when you smell glorious coffee. I've been caffeine free for a few weeks now, so I knew even a sip would have me bouncing off the walls, so I tried to ignore it. Instead, I went to the bookshelf and took down Dracula's Guest, a curated anthology of Victorian vampire stories. This is actually a misnomer, since some of the stories are before, while others after, Queen Victoria's reign. Each story is introduced by the editor and curator, with a small introduction about the time the story was written, a short introduction to the author and his/her importance in literary history, and how the story fits in to the scope of the curated collection. It was interesting, but I only read one story when I decided I needed to save some Vampire Lore for October. I don't want to extinguish my arsenal of horror novels long before Halloween even gets here! The forward, however, left me with a deeper understanding of the species and eating habits of the Vampire Bat, as well as burial habits spanning from the 1600's to the turn of the 20th century. So there's that.
So after sleeping for about 6 hours, I again went to the bookshelf and replaced Dracula's Guest for the time being, opting instead to read The Lovely Bones. Of course, this is still not a very happy book, but it does take me out from the 1800's, in which most of the literature I've been reading is placed (and written) and offers a bit of diversity, while still offering that spooky factor that I currently crave. I own and love the film version of the story, but so far, the novel has a much more chilling and bracing reality to it. Granted, it is told from the perspective of Susie Salmon, who immediately acknowledges that she is deceased, but somehow, a ghost story told by a ghost about her own murder is more haunting than any other. I am very excited for things to calm down in the library so I can get to reading...
I want to apologize to you all for being so nerdy lately, unless you are enjoying my nerdiness, in which case, you're welcome. haha
Have a wonderful Wednesday! xo
So after sleeping for about 6 hours, I again went to the bookshelf and replaced Dracula's Guest for the time being, opting instead to read The Lovely Bones. Of course, this is still not a very happy book, but it does take me out from the 1800's, in which most of the literature I've been reading is placed (and written) and offers a bit of diversity, while still offering that spooky factor that I currently crave. I own and love the film version of the story, but so far, the novel has a much more chilling and bracing reality to it. Granted, it is told from the perspective of Susie Salmon, who immediately acknowledges that she is deceased, but somehow, a ghost story told by a ghost about her own murder is more haunting than any other. I am very excited for things to calm down in the library so I can get to reading...
I want to apologize to you all for being so nerdy lately, unless you are enjoying my nerdiness, in which case, you're welcome. haha
Have a wonderful Wednesday! xo
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
My Favorite Things...
Yesterday I wrote about the trials I have personally encountered in reading through many classic literary works. I am pleased to report that I have in fact completed reading Pride and Prejudice, and am still sufficiently shocked at my sustained interest in the work. As usual, the conclusion to the novel was not nearly as satisfactory to my sensibilities as the conclusion in the inspired film. I like closure, a facet that many classic writers fail to impart in their works.
Anyway, today I want to try to reconcile myself with classic literature enthusiasts, by stating that, while the original sources of these stories often fails to stir a sense of felicity in me, the films inspired by them often completely captivate me. This, I suppose, is a fact much indebted to my predisposition as a photographer to be drawn to all things visibly pleasing, and also hails to my background as an actress. I would be lying if I did not admit to my desire of one day portraying a heroine in some classic or another. Which, if I am to continue to be ironic in my writing of this post, I would have to mark down to my pride.
See? I totally get the humor and terminology of classic literature. It's just not always my taste.
Anyway, I wanted to enumerate some of my favorite films inspired by classic literature. Even if you are not an avid classics reader (which I have to say I may be becoming one myself, as my current read is Bram Stoker's Dracula), the wonderful stories and characters may not be lost on you. I particularly curated this collection based on cinematographic qualities almost entirely surrounding a few key points: direction of photography, faithfulness to the period in set and costuming, and superb acting ability of the cast. A film is not one worth watching, in my opinion, unless it has the full ability to immerse you in the circumstances and emotional implications of the plot.
Here is my list of must-see classic literature inspired films:
1. Pride and Prejudice, of course! I love everyone's performance in this work, and the cinematography is brilliant. Kiera Knightley is brilliant, as, of course, are Donald Sutherland and Brenda Blethyn. Even if Matthew McFaddyen blinks a lot, which he does, he plays a wonderfully insensitive and later emotional Darcy. The score enhances the action and there is so much subtext in the camera's view of people in conversations that implies rank as well as emotional connections to the current topic. Definitely a great romance film.
2. Bram Stoker's Dracula. I am in love with this film as well! If only Keanu Reeves were not intent on ruining the film with his pitiful acting chops... but it is made up for in the brilliant performance of Gary Oldman. Winona Ryder is pretty well suited for the part, even though she is often similar in any character and has a certain manner of speech that sometimes pulls me from the story. The ingenuity of the cinematography is something I cannot overlook... the shadows that seem to have a mind of their own, the carriage ride with Dracula's eyes appearing over the landscape... all these things were done in camera using old school methods, and that is enough for me to put it towards the top of the list!
3. Sense and Sensibility. I am particularly partial to Kate Winslet as an actress, and equally so with Alan Rickman. I am usually not drawn to Hugh Grant as an actor, but I think he does his role justice, especially since he plays opposite Emma Thompson. The cast is a pretty terrific group of people, and the sets and costumes attentive to the era. While I am not as crazy about this film as the aforementioned, I think it was done credibly to the text of the original novel, with a lightness that allows a modern viewer to more willingly accept the story.
4. Little Women. Again, I have issues with Ryder's speech and believing her to be sincere, but I do love this film! Of course, Susan Sarandon is wonderful! The detail is amazing, the story is heartwarming. Not much more left to desire, when you consider the interesting choice of angles and smooth camera operation... it's another winner.
5. Jane Eyre. Okay, so this one I haven't seen all the way through yet, but I quite like Mia Wasikowska and from the bit that I've managed to download from iTunes so far I find very intriguing. The cinematography is, again, full of promise of innuendo. I love the lighting, the costumes and sets are very true to date. I am excited for it to finish downloading so I can watch it all!
Do you have any other favorite classic lit based films? I just picked five that I like, although I am sure there are more!
Anyway, today I want to try to reconcile myself with classic literature enthusiasts, by stating that, while the original sources of these stories often fails to stir a sense of felicity in me, the films inspired by them often completely captivate me. This, I suppose, is a fact much indebted to my predisposition as a photographer to be drawn to all things visibly pleasing, and also hails to my background as an actress. I would be lying if I did not admit to my desire of one day portraying a heroine in some classic or another. Which, if I am to continue to be ironic in my writing of this post, I would have to mark down to my pride.
See? I totally get the humor and terminology of classic literature. It's just not always my taste.
Anyway, I wanted to enumerate some of my favorite films inspired by classic literature. Even if you are not an avid classics reader (which I have to say I may be becoming one myself, as my current read is Bram Stoker's Dracula), the wonderful stories and characters may not be lost on you. I particularly curated this collection based on cinematographic qualities almost entirely surrounding a few key points: direction of photography, faithfulness to the period in set and costuming, and superb acting ability of the cast. A film is not one worth watching, in my opinion, unless it has the full ability to immerse you in the circumstances and emotional implications of the plot.
Here is my list of must-see classic literature inspired films:
1. Pride and Prejudice, of course! I love everyone's performance in this work, and the cinematography is brilliant. Kiera Knightley is brilliant, as, of course, are Donald Sutherland and Brenda Blethyn. Even if Matthew McFaddyen blinks a lot, which he does, he plays a wonderfully insensitive and later emotional Darcy. The score enhances the action and there is so much subtext in the camera's view of people in conversations that implies rank as well as emotional connections to the current topic. Definitely a great romance film.
2. Bram Stoker's Dracula. I am in love with this film as well! If only Keanu Reeves were not intent on ruining the film with his pitiful acting chops... but it is made up for in the brilliant performance of Gary Oldman. Winona Ryder is pretty well suited for the part, even though she is often similar in any character and has a certain manner of speech that sometimes pulls me from the story. The ingenuity of the cinematography is something I cannot overlook... the shadows that seem to have a mind of their own, the carriage ride with Dracula's eyes appearing over the landscape... all these things were done in camera using old school methods, and that is enough for me to put it towards the top of the list!
3. Sense and Sensibility. I am particularly partial to Kate Winslet as an actress, and equally so with Alan Rickman. I am usually not drawn to Hugh Grant as an actor, but I think he does his role justice, especially since he plays opposite Emma Thompson. The cast is a pretty terrific group of people, and the sets and costumes attentive to the era. While I am not as crazy about this film as the aforementioned, I think it was done credibly to the text of the original novel, with a lightness that allows a modern viewer to more willingly accept the story.
4. Little Women. Again, I have issues with Ryder's speech and believing her to be sincere, but I do love this film! Of course, Susan Sarandon is wonderful! The detail is amazing, the story is heartwarming. Not much more left to desire, when you consider the interesting choice of angles and smooth camera operation... it's another winner.
5. Jane Eyre. Okay, so this one I haven't seen all the way through yet, but I quite like Mia Wasikowska and from the bit that I've managed to download from iTunes so far I find very intriguing. The cinematography is, again, full of promise of innuendo. I love the lighting, the costumes and sets are very true to date. I am excited for it to finish downloading so I can watch it all!
Do you have any other favorite classic lit based films? I just picked five that I like, although I am sure there are more!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Literature Love!
Lately, Bear and I have been getting back into our "reading dates", which are long periods of time spent in the same room not talking to one another, reading our separate books. Recently I wrote about how Border's is going out of business, and our subsequent score on new reading materials. Well, we've been wasting no time in getting our nerd on!
I finished another Charles de Lint novel, The Onion Girl, first. It was all about the trials of this character Jilly Coppercorn, who is a recurring character in his Newford series. I had read in circles around her, never figuring out exactly WHAT happened to her, but finding allusions to it in several other books. It was driving me crazy! I was SO HAPPY to finally put that mystery to rest!
Then, because of my current infatuation with the Focus Features film version of Pride and Prejudice, I opened the box set of all Jane Austen's works I bought. I am now reading the novel. I usually have a particular distaste of "classic literature", with the exception of Kafka's Metamorphosis, I always had a problem reading them through. I hate stumbling upon "-------shire" or, "said Lord -----------" censorships. I tend to fill in the blanks myself with "Dashshire" and "said Lord Dashing", just to keep from going insane with all the loss of context!
The odd thing is, I own a shelf full of classics. I have read a few, because occasionally I feel that to be truly academic, one must occasionally peruse the works of great authors, but I can't say I ever enjoyed them. Bronte's Jane Eyre infuriated me as it simultaneously bored me to tears (although Focus Features is making a new film, apparently!). Alcott's Little Women was never as engrossing as I thought it ought to be. Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer were not nearly as gripping as I remembered the stories being. All in all, I found classic literature to be overwhelmingly disappointing. Through all the flowery language I struggled to find purchase on the actual plot, and found myself slipping into confusion of detail. So many words are no longer in the modern vocabulary, so I had a particular struggle in ascertaining meaning from the many lengthy paragraphs I had read. And to be honest, halfway through a stanza it was not uncommon for my mind to have wandered somewhere else, thus the meaning of the pages I had "read" was completely lost on me, and I could not recall any of the particulars I should have made note of.
Ironically, I write in a style similar to many of the very authors I complain of. I love the challenge of vocabulary, and amuse myself by using uncommon terms in my daily conversations. There is no reason for my strong distaste in classical literature, when all these things are considered.
Anyway, I have been completely engrossed with Pride and Prejudice, and am nearly finished reading it already! I picked it up Saturday night around 9pm, and read until almost 6am. All day Sunday I alternated between reading, and watching the movie while folding laundry and cleaning the house (or listening to the soundtrack... yes, I am a geek). Tonight, when things die down at work, I will be back to reading again.
What book have you picked up recently and discovered, much to your surprise, you liked?
Monday, July 25, 2011
Etsy Monday: What I Read this Weekend
It's that time again, the beginning of a new week. This past weekend was a good one; I took some head shots for the Local Theatre's upcoming production, had a newborn baby session with a lovely client family, went to the Local Tavern for some beers and karaoke, went swimming at midnight at a friend's house, and spent Sunday relaxing with Bear and reading our new books.
We have only one bookstore where I live, and it happens to be a chain Border's store. Of course, everyone who wanted to buy books had to go there, since the Barnes & Noble closed down over a decade ago and the only other book store is a small hole-in-the-wall used paperback shack that has no real organization method besides genre... not even alphabetized by author or title! Naturally, since my Bear built me custom bookshelves to house all my literary wealth, old journals (I've kept books on my life since age six, so there's a whole shelf of them), and my own attempts at fiction writing, the great powers saw fit to shut down Border's. Now, I know I can purchase books online and have them shipped to my doorstep. I know I can buy books online and download them to my computer. Neither option gives me a place to escape to and peruse shelves of diversions I have yet to explore. I can't go to Amazon.com and pick up a book, feel the binding, smell the pages and ink that hold the promise of adventure.
Part of the magic in bookstores is the kinetic experience. Feeling and smelling and seeing and hearing and connecting to the literary world. The internet is great, but it lacks the reality and connectedness I crave. Especially with books.
You will never see me with a digital reader. I can't find the same comfort with a tablet as I can with a paperback. I can't correct grammar mistakes when I come across them, because I am that nerd who corrects those things in her books. I can't bring a mechanical object into my bathtub to enjoy a story while soaking and drinking something delicious, listening to composers whose music I feel enhances the mood of the story. And heaven forbid I fall asleep and roll over on a Kindle or it drops to the floor. Because at night the one sure way to fall asleep for me is to occupy my brain with the trials and turbulence of some other reality. Not that my reality is bad. It's just easier for me to doze off when I am distanced from all the things directly related to ME.
Anyway, off the tangent, Bear and I often have "reading dates". These are times when we sit there together and read our respective books. We don't talk a lot, sometimes we hold hands, and we slide into our own little worlds, constructed in the imagination of the author, inhabited by us. We sometimes take a breather and discuss the goings on in our own stories and any revelations we may have had, and emerge again under the spell of great literature. These are some of my favorite "dates", and we never physically leave the couch.
This past weekend, Bear went to Border's and bought on sale almost every title they had under Charles de Lint's pen for me. I chose to read The Mystery of Grace first, the most recent release I had been dying to read since it was first announced that the book was forthcoming. It was fabulous and I couldn't put it down. Granted, the novel is only about 270 pages long, so I picked it up Sunday afternoon and finished it before leaving for work this morning.
The story revolves around Altagracia "Grace" Quintero, a tattooed part Mexican part Italian female mechanic with a love of Ford Motor Company and hot rods that is only rivaled to her love of her recently deceased Abuelo. Grace is dealing with this recent loss, an incredible blow to her entire outlook on life, that leaves her stumbling back to her old smoking habit for comfort. This small addiction's resurgence leads her to the local grocery on the corner, a block away from the historical, if not odd, transplanted building in which she rents an apartment. At this grocery, intending to feed her addiction and spend a quiet night in, Grace learns of her new fate...
The story begins with Grace spending an intimate evening with a new aquaintance, John. They met one night at the Halloween Witches' Ball and left together; inexplicably smitten. Neither of them has ever fallen so fast and so completely, nor shared so much personal information with a stranger so comfortably. This confidence they made in each other seemed so genuine, which is why John can't quite figure out why she disappeared from his apartment without a word... had she even been there? Halloween in the desert town was a time of sugar skulls and votive candles, and the anniversary of John's brother's death; a loss he blames himself for. Had he imagined Grace as a side effect to his yearly attack of grief?
Grace wakes up in her apartment, and all is the same. Following a horrible nightmare about the grocery down the block, feeling the impact... but she was home. Safe. Except there was a person in her bedroom who she didn't know. And when the woman speaks, nothing she says makes sense. Grace wanders the quiet street; all the buildings look the same, the air is fresh and still. Her Fairlane is missing.
John waits for Grace outside the grocery on a late May evening, leaning up on a hot rod. He knows she will be there. Grace opens the door to the street and stares at John, disbelief mixed with relief expressed on her face... but being here is dangerous for her, and going back may be even more perilous still...
I can't give away the plot, really, because then what good is reading the book to find out? Charles de Lint is my all-time favorite author, and his stories are absolutely riveting. Magic and reality fit seamlessly together to weave a convincing world, not unlike ours. The line between this world that we all accept and another world we don't understand is so fine in places and at certain times, that we rub elbows with things we don't often accept as real. And sometimes when you think you've seen a face or a figure out of the corner of your eye, you discover that you really did. If you're like me at all, you will find yourself constantly questioning the world after reading one of De Lint's novels. His stories are so convincing, his characters are so human, that you can't help but feel that, if only when the pages lay open before you, the world he creates is an actual place. You have only to suspend your disbelief to be there, too.
Happy Monday! Has anyone else read a really wonderful book lately?
We have only one bookstore where I live, and it happens to be a chain Border's store. Of course, everyone who wanted to buy books had to go there, since the Barnes & Noble closed down over a decade ago and the only other book store is a small hole-in-the-wall used paperback shack that has no real organization method besides genre... not even alphabetized by author or title! Naturally, since my Bear built me custom bookshelves to house all my literary wealth, old journals (I've kept books on my life since age six, so there's a whole shelf of them), and my own attempts at fiction writing, the great powers saw fit to shut down Border's. Now, I know I can purchase books online and have them shipped to my doorstep. I know I can buy books online and download them to my computer. Neither option gives me a place to escape to and peruse shelves of diversions I have yet to explore. I can't go to Amazon.com and pick up a book, feel the binding, smell the pages and ink that hold the promise of adventure.
Part of the magic in bookstores is the kinetic experience. Feeling and smelling and seeing and hearing and connecting to the literary world. The internet is great, but it lacks the reality and connectedness I crave. Especially with books.
You will never see me with a digital reader. I can't find the same comfort with a tablet as I can with a paperback. I can't correct grammar mistakes when I come across them, because I am that nerd who corrects those things in her books. I can't bring a mechanical object into my bathtub to enjoy a story while soaking and drinking something delicious, listening to composers whose music I feel enhances the mood of the story. And heaven forbid I fall asleep and roll over on a Kindle or it drops to the floor. Because at night the one sure way to fall asleep for me is to occupy my brain with the trials and turbulence of some other reality. Not that my reality is bad. It's just easier for me to doze off when I am distanced from all the things directly related to ME.
Anyway, off the tangent, Bear and I often have "reading dates". These are times when we sit there together and read our respective books. We don't talk a lot, sometimes we hold hands, and we slide into our own little worlds, constructed in the imagination of the author, inhabited by us. We sometimes take a breather and discuss the goings on in our own stories and any revelations we may have had, and emerge again under the spell of great literature. These are some of my favorite "dates", and we never physically leave the couch.
This past weekend, Bear went to Border's and bought on sale almost every title they had under Charles de Lint's pen for me. I chose to read The Mystery of Grace first, the most recent release I had been dying to read since it was first announced that the book was forthcoming. It was fabulous and I couldn't put it down. Granted, the novel is only about 270 pages long, so I picked it up Sunday afternoon and finished it before leaving for work this morning.
The story revolves around Altagracia "Grace" Quintero, a tattooed part Mexican part Italian female mechanic with a love of Ford Motor Company and hot rods that is only rivaled to her love of her recently deceased Abuelo. Grace is dealing with this recent loss, an incredible blow to her entire outlook on life, that leaves her stumbling back to her old smoking habit for comfort. This small addiction's resurgence leads her to the local grocery on the corner, a block away from the historical, if not odd, transplanted building in which she rents an apartment. At this grocery, intending to feed her addiction and spend a quiet night in, Grace learns of her new fate...
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| via: caterangel |
The story begins with Grace spending an intimate evening with a new aquaintance, John. They met one night at the Halloween Witches' Ball and left together; inexplicably smitten. Neither of them has ever fallen so fast and so completely, nor shared so much personal information with a stranger so comfortably. This confidence they made in each other seemed so genuine, which is why John can't quite figure out why she disappeared from his apartment without a word... had she even been there? Halloween in the desert town was a time of sugar skulls and votive candles, and the anniversary of John's brother's death; a loss he blames himself for. Had he imagined Grace as a side effect to his yearly attack of grief?
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| via: PnsNNedis |
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| via: JakeLieberman |
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| via: AprilMayPhotography |
I can't give away the plot, really, because then what good is reading the book to find out? Charles de Lint is my all-time favorite author, and his stories are absolutely riveting. Magic and reality fit seamlessly together to weave a convincing world, not unlike ours. The line between this world that we all accept and another world we don't understand is so fine in places and at certain times, that we rub elbows with things we don't often accept as real. And sometimes when you think you've seen a face or a figure out of the corner of your eye, you discover that you really did. If you're like me at all, you will find yourself constantly questioning the world after reading one of De Lint's novels. His stories are so convincing, his characters are so human, that you can't help but feel that, if only when the pages lay open before you, the world he creates is an actual place. You have only to suspend your disbelief to be there, too.
Happy Monday! Has anyone else read a really wonderful book lately?
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Wedding Wednesday: Our Wedding Inspiration
In an effort to kick-start my own planning process again, I am going to dedicate today's Wedding Wednesday to inspirations for our own upcoming wedding. Of course, it's hard to really get the ball rolling for us here because we are in the midst of preparing for Bear's sister's wedding, which will take place at our home in June! The upside to this is I am learning a lot about the things I should do and should avoid doing while planning my own wedding...
Anyway, I am focusing on our initial inspiration for colors, music, venue (which I have to write out an official letter for and see if we can actually get the location), etc.
Our color palate thus far is comprised of muted versions of blue and yellow, with highlights of muted reds and greens. This is the inverse color scheme for the film "Amelie", which my Bear introduced me to and quickly became one of my all-time favorite films!
I hope to capture some of the whimsy and innocence of the film as well, down to the photobooth theme! I also am taking some inspiration from "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", in that I want to create a storyboard of our relationship in retrograde in images for our guests to explore. This will be more prevalent in the reception, rather than the ceremony itself.
I am also taking inspiration from literature. Bear and I read often, usually in the evenings after dinner but before bed. We refer to these as our "date nights in". Part of the reason I am so crazy for him is because he loves literature as much as I do! He's the first guy I dated that read for pleasure, and the first guy I ever met who reads more than I do.
The general idea I am going for is timeless love stories that focus on learning about someone through a journey (or series of journeys), and learning about yourself along the way. I'm also a huge fan of the aesthetics of these films, so that helps. The literature we will incorporate will follow the same theme.
Overall, our wedding will say to our guests: "this is our story, here is a recap of the introduction and first couple of chapters, and thank you for helping us write a wonderful opening to the next section of the book..."
Anyone else out there getting married soon? What are your inspirations? Or if you are married already, what were your inspirations? Or heck, if you want to get married and are one of those people who daydreams about the Big Day, what are YOUR inspirations? I'm interested in all of the above: fantasy weddings, future weddings, past weddings. I am also up for any advice from anyone who's been through this whole planning process before!
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Wednesday! I plan on going to a Farmer's Market with Cupcake! Maybe I'll find some of the vintage things I want for the wedding...
Anyway, I am focusing on our initial inspiration for colors, music, venue (which I have to write out an official letter for and see if we can actually get the location), etc.
Our color palate thus far is comprised of muted versions of blue and yellow, with highlights of muted reds and greens. This is the inverse color scheme for the film "Amelie", which my Bear introduced me to and quickly became one of my all-time favorite films!
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| All Images Copyright: Claude Ossard Productions and other Production affiliates |
I hope to capture some of the whimsy and innocence of the film as well, down to the photobooth theme! I also am taking some inspiration from "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", in that I want to create a storyboard of our relationship in retrograde in images for our guests to explore. This will be more prevalent in the reception, rather than the ceremony itself.
 |
| All Images Copyright: Focus Features and other Production affiliates |
I am also taking inspiration from literature. Bear and I read often, usually in the evenings after dinner but before bed. We refer to these as our "date nights in". Part of the reason I am so crazy for him is because he loves literature as much as I do! He's the first guy I dated that read for pleasure, and the first guy I ever met who reads more than I do.
The general idea I am going for is timeless love stories that focus on learning about someone through a journey (or series of journeys), and learning about yourself along the way. I'm also a huge fan of the aesthetics of these films, so that helps. The literature we will incorporate will follow the same theme.
Overall, our wedding will say to our guests: "this is our story, here is a recap of the introduction and first couple of chapters, and thank you for helping us write a wonderful opening to the next section of the book..."
Anyone else out there getting married soon? What are your inspirations? Or if you are married already, what were your inspirations? Or heck, if you want to get married and are one of those people who daydreams about the Big Day, what are YOUR inspirations? I'm interested in all of the above: fantasy weddings, future weddings, past weddings. I am also up for any advice from anyone who's been through this whole planning process before!
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Wednesday! I plan on going to a Farmer's Market with Cupcake! Maybe I'll find some of the vintage things I want for the wedding...
Monday, April 18, 2011
Etsy Monday: Game of Thrones!
For anyone who was not aware, Game of Thrones premiered last night on HBO! My Bear introduced me to the George R. R. Martin series, A Song of Ice and Fire, when we we began dating. I was a bit apprehensive at first, because there is definitely a lack of respect toward women (usually pawns, swapped out to appease the lust of men, but many female characters are strong, independent women) and a moral societal structure that simultaneously infuriated, baffled, and intrigued me. Politics play a key role, particularly in the first novel, for which the HBO series is named. I was really excited to see the characters come to life, particularly Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and Arya Stark. The pilot did not disappoint (I watched it over and over to try and pick out small details I may have missed the first time...). I can't wait until the next episode, and found out the next book in the series is due to hit bookstores on Tuesday, July 12, 2011!!! I haven't read ALL the books we have yet (the series is pretty long already, but all the characters and plots are so intricate... we can't figure out how the various tales will all come together for a wrap up in the series), but Bear has, so he will jump for joy at this news!
Anyways, todays Etsy Monday is all about Game of Thrones. If you have HBO, I highly recommend the series. If not, I give you permission to spend more time at the houses of your friends that do. I do not suggest creeping outside your neighbors window with a bag of popcorn trying to view their TV set while they watch the series, though. They may mistake you for a White Walker and attack... or simply call for law enforcement (nobody likes a creeper).
The first book, and as far as I can tell so far, the series revolves around the House of Stark. The Starks live in Winterfell in the northern most reaches of the land within The Wall, which divides the Kingdoms from the surrounding lands inhabited by wildlings and horrific creatures (the Others!). The House of Stark's sigil is the Dire Wolf, a creature that lives further north beyond the wall.
There are seven Kingdoms in the land, each plays an important role in the series. They are represented by several Houses: the House of Targaryen which once held the main seat in Kings Landing, the House of Greyjoy, the House of Baratheon who currently holds Kings Landing, the House of Tyrell, the House of Arryn related by marriage to the House of Stark, and the House of Lannister related by marriage to the House of Baratheon.
The Iron Throne was won by Robert Baratheon from the Targaryen House, descended from Aegon the Conqueror. The sigil of the Targaryen House is a dragon, the last living of the species were important in their house securing the throne at the beginning of their long reign. No living dragons have been seen since, and the two remaining Targaryens, Daenerys and her brother, flee across the narrow sea to Essos, to rally forces to assist them in winning back the crown. Daenerys is married to the Lord of the "savage" Dothrakis and gifted three dragon eggs at the wedding, which have turned to stone over the years they had lain dormant.
The House of Stark is comprised of several members, headed by Eddard and Catherine Stark, and their children: Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon. Eddard's bastard son, Jon Snow, also resides with the family. In Winterfell, "Snow" is the surname given to bastards of high birth. The House motto is "Winter is Coming", even though the Stark children were born during a long summer and have never endured a long winter. Unlike our planet, the seasons in Westeros are not definable by any timetable, and may last several years.
The Wall that secures Westeros from the wild woods is guarded by men all in black, known as the brothers of the Night's Watch. These men were once a proud group, but as the community became comfortable with the lack of perceived threat beyond the Wall declined to convicted criminals and other "unsavory" characters. The woods beyond hold small colonies of people free of the influence from Kings Landing, referred to as wildlings, as well as horrific creatures (again, White Walkers and the Others... eep!).
The closest time frame I can equate the series to is mideval: lots of tapestries, jousts, tournaments, beheadings, impalments and the like. The series is so absorbing, and HBO has done a wonderful job thus far in bringing texture, color, and richness to a world beyond our own! The costumes, props and set decorations really allow the viewer to believe in the different surroundings and characters. It's pretty amazing, some of those sets!
If you get HBO, be sure to watch this series! If not, I am sure you can use Netflix or maybe even hulu.com to see the episodes! (You can also get a feel for what their lives may have been like by visiting your local Renaissance Festival! Can't wait for MDRF!)
In personal news, this past weekend was busy for me and my Bear. His sister is getting married at the end of June, and her bachelorette party and bridal shower were this weekend. I have tons of photos, and will share some from the latter event. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I won't post the bachelorette ones. I took photos at her behest, and will get them to her alone. Then she can do with them as she will. I don't want to be responsible for anyone's reputation (although the party was actually really really tame; we went to a local Irish Pub, had a few rounds, and sang along with the band while eating delicious food)!
Happy Monday! Anyone have a great TV series or book series you want to share? I would love to hear of them!
Anyways, todays Etsy Monday is all about Game of Thrones. If you have HBO, I highly recommend the series. If not, I give you permission to spend more time at the houses of your friends that do. I do not suggest creeping outside your neighbors window with a bag of popcorn trying to view their TV set while they watch the series, though. They may mistake you for a White Walker and attack... or simply call for law enforcement (nobody likes a creeper).
The first book, and as far as I can tell so far, the series revolves around the House of Stark. The Starks live in Winterfell in the northern most reaches of the land within The Wall, which divides the Kingdoms from the surrounding lands inhabited by wildlings and horrific creatures (the Others!). The House of Stark's sigil is the Dire Wolf, a creature that lives further north beyond the wall.
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| via: cutitup |
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| via: pegbeard |
There are seven Kingdoms in the land, each plays an important role in the series. They are represented by several Houses: the House of Targaryen which once held the main seat in Kings Landing, the House of Greyjoy, the House of Baratheon who currently holds Kings Landing, the House of Tyrell, the House of Arryn related by marriage to the House of Stark, and the House of Lannister related by marriage to the House of Baratheon.
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| via: buniquebeads |
Each House has their own sigil and political stance in the land called Westeros, and with the onset of political turmoil, each plots to seize and control the coveted Iron Throne set in Kings Landing.
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| via: uncommonwhimsy |
The Iron Throne was won by Robert Baratheon from the Targaryen House, descended from Aegon the Conqueror. The sigil of the Targaryen House is a dragon, the last living of the species were important in their house securing the throne at the beginning of their long reign. No living dragons have been seen since, and the two remaining Targaryens, Daenerys and her brother, flee across the narrow sea to Essos, to rally forces to assist them in winning back the crown. Daenerys is married to the Lord of the "savage" Dothrakis and gifted three dragon eggs at the wedding, which have turned to stone over the years they had lain dormant.
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| via: andracassidy |
The House of Stark is comprised of several members, headed by Eddard and Catherine Stark, and their children: Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon. Eddard's bastard son, Jon Snow, also resides with the family. In Winterfell, "Snow" is the surname given to bastards of high birth. The House motto is "Winter is Coming", even though the Stark children were born during a long summer and have never endured a long winter. Unlike our planet, the seasons in Westeros are not definable by any timetable, and may last several years.
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| via: foxwise |
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| via: midevalnerd |
The Wall that secures Westeros from the wild woods is guarded by men all in black, known as the brothers of the Night's Watch. These men were once a proud group, but as the community became comfortable with the lack of perceived threat beyond the Wall declined to convicted criminals and other "unsavory" characters. The woods beyond hold small colonies of people free of the influence from Kings Landing, referred to as wildlings, as well as horrific creatures (again, White Walkers and the Others... eep!).
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| via: thisyearsgirl |
The closest time frame I can equate the series to is mideval: lots of tapestries, jousts, tournaments, beheadings, impalments and the like. The series is so absorbing, and HBO has done a wonderful job thus far in bringing texture, color, and richness to a world beyond our own! The costumes, props and set decorations really allow the viewer to believe in the different surroundings and characters. It's pretty amazing, some of those sets!
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| via: thecomrade |
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| via: jackhandmake |
In personal news, this past weekend was busy for me and my Bear. His sister is getting married at the end of June, and her bachelorette party and bridal shower were this weekend. I have tons of photos, and will share some from the latter event. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I won't post the bachelorette ones. I took photos at her behest, and will get them to her alone. Then she can do with them as she will. I don't want to be responsible for anyone's reputation (although the party was actually really really tame; we went to a local Irish Pub, had a few rounds, and sang along with the band while eating delicious food)!
Happy Monday! Anyone have a great TV series or book series you want to share? I would love to hear of them!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Subtle Changes...
Or drastic ones? I revamped some features on my blog. Firstly, the background. It's now a picture of some sort of fabric I took with my iPhone once using the lomo app. It's visually interesting and colorful without being as jarring as the orange background already available via blogger. I also got rid of the navigation bar at the top of the screen. It was driving me nuts aesthetically.
Secondly, I added links to my other accounts on Tumblr, Twitter, and Flickr (on the right sidebar). I am posting my 365 Grateful project to Tumblr as I take the photos (via my trusty iPhone), if you feel like tracking daily instead of waiting till Fridays when I will be posting the images here. I don't use my Flickr as much as I used to, but I intend on changing that!
Thirdly, I moved the buttons to many blogs that I follow to their own page "Blogs I Love". I felt my sidebar was getting too cluttered. Does anyone know of a way to move my list of blogs I follow via GFC/Blogger to the page instead of as a click-and-drop widget available under the design option? I'm not a very good coder...yet.
It's been pretty rainy here, but tomorrow is supposed to be sunny! This makes me happy because, well... my sunroof on my car is jammed slightly open, so every time I park my car I have to stretch a sheet of plastic from the passenger door to the drivers, and close the doors on it to keep it in place. Not only is it pretty cheaptastic, all the pollen sticks to it and gets to sit on the passenger side of my car as I drive from point A to B. I am allergic to this pollen, as well as the subsequent mold collecting in my car from any moisture that gets in, so I am hoping to get someone to fix it tomorrow. I also have to change the motor in the passenger side window (which is currently dead and the window is held up by a bolt wedged under the glass inside the door... wow, my car is a POS!). Hopefully, the rain will hold off until my garage-less car is better prepared to handle it!
In the meantime, here are some goodies on the interwebs my dears!
This relaxing "bathtub tea"... what a brilliant idea! I am all about making this. If only I had a beautiful old claw foot tub to relax in, so I could soak up to my cheekbones in warm water (I find modern tubs are disappointingly shallow, unless of course you can afford a lovely spa tub...)!
There is an AMAZING giveaway going on over at One Pearl Button right now! OPB has been an active blog for 4 years now! That's a huge commitment! I am secretly hoping that I will win it, but I seem to have no luck in giveaways. If you want to enter, click on the link under the photo and follow the instructions! And good luck... I guess... :)
I am a HUGE literature nerd, so I am taking this moment to share what I am currently reading: Memory & Dream by Charles de Lint. Charles is my absolute favorite author of all time, and has been since high school, when I picked up The Blue Girl in 2004, the year it was released. I have since read about fifteen of his novels. No, that's not right. I have DEVOURED them. I even have Bear hooked!
I purchased this novel from Borders to help cope with my own depression and grief associated with losing someone I love, since the novel is about that... and magic.
The story follows an artist named Isabelle, Izzy for short, who studied under the reclusive but brilliant prestigious artist Vincent Rushkin. Rushkin passed on his technique to painting images with soul to her, bringing magic and wonder in Izzy's life, as well as confusion and great responsibility. Izzy's best friend and roommate in her college years, Kathy, is a brilliant writer and Izzy's biggest fan. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes, and Izzy returns to her childhood home far from Butler U., her memories, and the paintings she loved to create. She changes her style dramatically from realistic surrealism to abstract studies of shape and color, the only kind of paintings she produces twenty years later. A close friend of Izzy's and Kathy's from college, Alan, reaches out to Izzy in her solitude, asking her to illustrate some of Kathy's writings he wishes to publish, in her old style, the one Rushkin helped her to realize. Izzy is faced with the promise she once made to her friend, the return to the city that holds all her memories and demons, and the possibility of seeing Rushkin again, with whom she parted on less than amicable terms. But mostly, she is faced with the terrible possibility of the outcome of unleashing the magic of her brush again, and the reciprocations that could entail...
Needless to say, I am enthralled. I am ALWAYS enthralled with his works. You can learn more about CdL by visiting the WordWood online (a site originated in the novel Spirits in the Wires, nonetheless! I was so excited when I tried looking up the link for fun and discovered it was a real site made by super fans like me!).
Anyway, I highly recommend checking out his works. If you aren't into the fantasy genre already, try checking a book of his out from your public library first. I find even those who aren't diehard fantasy nerds fall under his spell, but it never hurts to spend time at your library! If you ARE a fantasy geek like me, you can go buy one of his works. You probably won't regret it!
Have a wonderful Thursday. Is anyone else reading something wonderful or have a brilliant author to rave about? I'd love to know!
Secondly, I added links to my other accounts on Tumblr, Twitter, and Flickr (on the right sidebar). I am posting my 365 Grateful project to Tumblr as I take the photos (via my trusty iPhone), if you feel like tracking daily instead of waiting till Fridays when I will be posting the images here. I don't use my Flickr as much as I used to, but I intend on changing that!
 |
| The original designs, before cropping them down and making them smaller buttons. |
Thirdly, I moved the buttons to many blogs that I follow to their own page "Blogs I Love". I felt my sidebar was getting too cluttered. Does anyone know of a way to move my list of blogs I follow via GFC/Blogger to the page instead of as a click-and-drop widget available under the design option? I'm not a very good coder...yet.
It's been pretty rainy here, but tomorrow is supposed to be sunny! This makes me happy because, well... my sunroof on my car is jammed slightly open, so every time I park my car I have to stretch a sheet of plastic from the passenger door to the drivers, and close the doors on it to keep it in place. Not only is it pretty cheaptastic, all the pollen sticks to it and gets to sit on the passenger side of my car as I drive from point A to B. I am allergic to this pollen, as well as the subsequent mold collecting in my car from any moisture that gets in, so I am hoping to get someone to fix it tomorrow. I also have to change the motor in the passenger side window (which is currently dead and the window is held up by a bolt wedged under the glass inside the door... wow, my car is a POS!). Hopefully, the rain will hold off until my garage-less car is better prepared to handle it!
In the meantime, here are some goodies on the interwebs my dears!
This relaxing "bathtub tea"... what a brilliant idea! I am all about making this. If only I had a beautiful old claw foot tub to relax in, so I could soak up to my cheekbones in warm water (I find modern tubs are disappointingly shallow, unless of course you can afford a lovely spa tub...)!
 |
| via: radmegan (in words & pictures) |
There is an AMAZING giveaway going on over at One Pearl Button right now! OPB has been an active blog for 4 years now! That's a huge commitment! I am secretly hoping that I will win it, but I seem to have no luck in giveaways. If you want to enter, click on the link under the photo and follow the instructions! And good luck... I guess... :)
 |
| via: OnePearlButton |
I am a HUGE literature nerd, so I am taking this moment to share what I am currently reading: Memory & Dream by Charles de Lint. Charles is my absolute favorite author of all time, and has been since high school, when I picked up The Blue Girl in 2004, the year it was released. I have since read about fifteen of his novels. No, that's not right. I have DEVOURED them. I even have Bear hooked!
 |
| via: the CdL cover gallery |
I purchased this novel from Borders to help cope with my own depression and grief associated with losing someone I love, since the novel is about that... and magic.
The story follows an artist named Isabelle, Izzy for short, who studied under the reclusive but brilliant prestigious artist Vincent Rushkin. Rushkin passed on his technique to painting images with soul to her, bringing magic and wonder in Izzy's life, as well as confusion and great responsibility. Izzy's best friend and roommate in her college years, Kathy, is a brilliant writer and Izzy's biggest fan. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes, and Izzy returns to her childhood home far from Butler U., her memories, and the paintings she loved to create. She changes her style dramatically from realistic surrealism to abstract studies of shape and color, the only kind of paintings she produces twenty years later. A close friend of Izzy's and Kathy's from college, Alan, reaches out to Izzy in her solitude, asking her to illustrate some of Kathy's writings he wishes to publish, in her old style, the one Rushkin helped her to realize. Izzy is faced with the promise she once made to her friend, the return to the city that holds all her memories and demons, and the possibility of seeing Rushkin again, with whom she parted on less than amicable terms. But mostly, she is faced with the terrible possibility of the outcome of unleashing the magic of her brush again, and the reciprocations that could entail...
Needless to say, I am enthralled. I am ALWAYS enthralled with his works. You can learn more about CdL by visiting the WordWood online (a site originated in the novel Spirits in the Wires, nonetheless! I was so excited when I tried looking up the link for fun and discovered it was a real site made by super fans like me!).
Anyway, I highly recommend checking out his works. If you aren't into the fantasy genre already, try checking a book of his out from your public library first. I find even those who aren't diehard fantasy nerds fall under his spell, but it never hurts to spend time at your library! If you ARE a fantasy geek like me, you can go buy one of his works. You probably won't regret it!
Have a wonderful Thursday. Is anyone else reading something wonderful or have a brilliant author to rave about? I'd love to know!
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