tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33800069249045430752024-02-18T22:10:20.992-08:00Seriously SillyAn very infrequent, very silly series of posts about my life. Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-57238016698608255412015-02-05T21:31:00.000-08:002015-02-05T21:31:57.492-08:00A Fairly New Fandom (Semi-Guest Post starring Emery)<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today I finally got hold of my dear Emery for a chat about a certain Detective. No, it’s not Sherlock. *gasp* He’s actually Irish. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And dead. He is technically dead. (Wait so was Sherlock). </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We basically are asking a bunch of questions and answering them. That’s not weird at all.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Emery is in this lovely plum-colour :D</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and I am in black. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Like Valkryie</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) Or very dark grey.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="524px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bl8vLrJlol0KpsRcM-8thEnEcbOcakFmIaJnw7o82Sg7NgSEOnQcFFWuImToRIeM_NTkyMmuOnWzjUvdfvQa_6pk0ey4fcjkhYe24ZMA5h11labuQXcNuv8egv32628qI9w" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="354px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">note: I own none of the pictures/art in this post</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What/who is Skulduggery Pleasant, for all the poor souls who have never heard?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AMAZING AWESOMENESS WITH ATTITUDE. Okay, okay, Skulduggery Pleasant (with one l) is a dead detective. Who is a skeleton. Held together with his own intellect. (Catie finds this very attractive).</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes she does</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. He is an elemental… which can lead us into another topic…. The magic disciplines. It is very rare to switch the discipline once it is learned, (almost like changing a college career). There is adept and elemental. Elemental is </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">manipulating</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the four elements: water, air, fire, and earth. Adept comes in many forms and is basically everything else. For example Tanith Low can walk on walls, and unlock/lock any door. China Sorrows uses symbols to enhance fighting, to heal, etc. How does one get their magic? (This is one of my favorite parts) The names… Each person has three names, their given name (the one their parents give them), their taken name (the one that protects them from manipulation from other sorcerers), and finally their true name. This is where a mage gets their power. For example, Derek Landy is the author’s given name. His taken name is probably somewhere in the books series (he wrote himself in but won’t tell who it is), and his true name is EVIL. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wise words. Ever noticed how Vile spells evil when you rearrange the letters? I feel a new theory coming on...anyway. Skulduggery Pleasant is the title character of a nine-book series for young adults by Derek Landy, the Evil One, blah blah blah, and is made of of bones, sass, and impeccably tailored suits. As Emery said, he is held together by pure willpower (or magic, whatever), which I find insanely, er, interesting. Okay. I have a tiny crush on him</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #5b0f00; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Catie, that is the biggest exaggeration I have ever heard. He is your soulmate) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s completely normal, right? He drives about Ireland in his Bentley R-Type Continental, solving crimes, punching people, and saving the world from--er, with, Valkyrie Cain, his companion/assistant/annoyance. It’s great fun. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="194px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fEOsFFCnshZOHi-NcpCx4rnHV0NIIX_d_zWEwXwirTYyBE7CQHrebRm0sHRUW-SXzxTBpjwDJyM-jm3un0PXvWnuSEnbDjoTlcQ8Jd-TJIddGStBVv1pKTnVcIw5kX6WCpg" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="259px;" /></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-af080476-5d5b-05f9-4d92-a64d2073cdba" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Favourite character? </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This really isn’t a question because anyone you ask will always say Skulduggery himself is the best character automatically. He really is amazing (don’t tell him I said that his ego is huge). You realize how much you are really attached to him (and the series) in book 3 (The Faceless Ones). Oh, Skulduggery also drives a really nice car (or a bright yellow one when the bently is in the shop).</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, now, his ego isn’t bigger than anyone else’s, he just isn’t afraid to talk about it. He is </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">confident</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. And pretty darn funny. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Favourite minor characters?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">anith Low is amazing. She makes me want to be fit so I can fight and be awesome like her. She has always been my second favourite. And Fletcher Renn is great too. If any of you have read Hunger Games, he is a Finnick kind of character, at first you hate him, and then he is your favourite. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to compare Fletcher to Galinda. He grows on ya. I think their personalities are similar, and they have about the same amount of hair--Fletcher’s just sticks up more. And let’s not forget Kenspeckle and Clarabelle. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #5b0f00; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HOW COULD I FORGET HIM!! (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #5b0f00; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SPOILER</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #5b0f00; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: maybe bc he is dead? LANDY!) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="254px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tMIM07XTGwgqW4WnFzfgrtKlZQTDnexAMji1EQepdt-dj8QKc9FiRMFGMjxhQw8N5bnWm06yvNka-pmcsTXmEzJigjgwfdgjKofKxGQq-KeZwwQEYgWK1kaBF8sgsSVtao4" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="543px;" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And Val’s dad and mum. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What are your intentions towards my daughter then? I hope just because you don't think you're going to be holding her hand or anything. Just because her knees are visible does not mean she is the kind of girl to hold the hand of a strange-haired boy on their first date" ~Desmond Edgley </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And China. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, just... China. She is one of a kind. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="227px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Bmldb4uMXq7asTI501lTaBc80RW-OPw9Psd9y4UiTNvgcqmMwSlHbObcQ_ILhvQZ_SLGeMhCx_nBQK-ujvT6mj1v2Ra2VQkWjOooxIOgYJFcMNS_dEuMRzy2lKqDuvGVlvc" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="500px;" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let’s talk about Stephanie/Valkyrie. Why is she so awesome (no spoilers about the end of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dark Days</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and beyond)?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She has a convincing reflection. She is a great fighter. It is fun to watch her character growth throughout the series. She is very independent, and is Skulduggery’s partner. ⅔ of her is a psychopath. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like Val because she is a bit different from any character I’ve ever read. She’s an INTP, for one thing, which is rare. She is likable, which is even rarer. She has flaws that are neither artificial nor off-putting. I do get angry with her though. She’s not some overdrawn feminist-in-your-face brat, nor is she just along for the ride--nor has she suffered any tragic loss that defines and cripples who she is. Both of her parents are alive (and intelligent, moreover). She loves them. She gets affectionately annoyed with them. She adores her baby sister. She makes bad choices and good choices and stupid choices. She’s a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">person</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, albeit a very sassy one--an actual, real, literary person, not just a bundle of insecurities or blond hair or independence filling the protagonist role.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another pit authors often fall into is depending on a hobby/interest or physical features to define a character. Not so with Valkyrie. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #5b0f00; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Very well put. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Favourite Villain?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Favourite in the sense of wow-so-awesome-but-so-awful would be Lord Vile. Otherwise, Vaurien Scapegrace, the Killer Supreme. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Killer Supreme, the Zombie King, give it up for Vaurien Scapegrace (bk 2)! He is not a proper villain,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(I think he might object to that)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (I almost put he would be very offended by that statement) but he is really funny. And in Kingdom of the Wicked, he references Doctor Who. Scariest villain for me was Tesseract, because he was the only person who could kill Skulduggery. But the Faceless Ones are freaky too. And their followers are even more so. I also like Billy-Ray Sanguine. He is an american assassin who can burrow through walls. (I also hate him with an unadulterated loathing due to an event in book 5, Mortal Coil, you will know when you read it). </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Favourite discipline?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teleportation is probably my favorite. It is the most useful for a lazy, ordinary person like me. But if you were in a fight, the only thing teleportation helps to do is flee. Elemental is great in saving your life. Like if you get hurled off a cliff into the ocean you can just use the water to buoy yourself up. Or (as a last measure) you can use earth to turn yourself </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Impact; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*SPOILERS for book 1!*</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">into a statue (Ghastly, bk1).</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Impact; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*End of spoilers*</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> There are so many avenues of adepts. I can’t talk about them all (though I may try).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teleportation obviously. Elemental seems like the most well-rounded. Symbols are useful.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I think I would love to have wall-walking. Can you imagine the look on people’s faces when you just go and sit on the ceiling? I bet you could be an excellent dancer, since you could shift your center of gravity around, which would enable all sorts of ‘impossible’ feats. Hmm... </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="543px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5a7KSMXlhVncs2gQfQofz2s6HOoHybBWHOWJWhkuGsuY6quNCHZS3OH9v5eHJn4FH6L6LCuB9MrfcXXCj8lgve3GDnM3016P0INufHTFo27x8WBqHd6fcCuD4Fk5SD8Ncg0" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="477px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What’s the best book (or the best scene(s) from the books thus far)?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kingdom of the Wicked</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and, though I hate to say it, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mortal Coil.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The scene in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Death Bringer </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with Val at the airport is one of my favourites. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mortal Coil is heart wrenching. Just… OKAY MOVING ON BEFORE THE TEARS START. *whimpers in the background “Gainith!”* Why is it you are so deeply attached to the books that have destroyed your heart? Anyway, Gosh! They are all so good! I am thinking I really like The Death Bringer (because of the Darquesse scene toward the end) and Kingdom of the Wicked. I am not the kind of person who rereads books, but when i finish these my first thought is to turn back to page one. The first two are more setting it up for the rest of the series, after that they get better. Much better. So don’t give up. Another great feature is that these are technically kids books (they are found in the “x” section at the library). The reading level is for a twelve-year-old </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Note: these may be a bit too intense for sensitive 12-year olds like myself. Was. Think N.D. Wilson level of scary)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, so they are quick reads; very easy on the eye. If you aren’t accostomed to fight scenes (like I was), at first it is difficult to read them, but the trick is to read it fast. It flows that way, and I enjoy them more now. [most of that probably should have gone under the last question]</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anything that bothers you about the series? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t like how Val learns necromancy (bk4). Even if it makes her battles even more epic, I wish she would just keep to elemental. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yeah. Necromancy in general bothers me. However, SP doesn’t violate my fantasy rules, which are 1) it has to be good 2) any powers characters have that are viewed as non-evil should stem from natural, special ability and 3) the fantasy world has to be clearly defined (aka a completely different scenario from this reality--no actual, biblical magic/witchcraft/alteration of events. Bryan Davis toes the line here). Anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another thing I dislike is his habit of killing/maiming people ruthlessly. Just...why? Some of the action scenes can get a bit graphic and they make me feel a bit queasy. Actually, in my view there’s a teeny bit too much fighting/action. I tend to get a bit bored and wind up skimming--which I rarely do--during fight scenes. Unless they contain Tanith. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #5b0f00; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YESH. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes I step away from the story and look at what it contains--zombies, vampires, walking, sassing skeletons--and I wonder if I’m actually reading this. From an objective, simplistic point of view it sounds so different from anything I’d be--or want to be--reading. But I promise you, the monsters and the magic and even the plots are not the point. The point is the characters. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #5b0f00; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes. The characters absolutely make the books. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They’re some of the best I’ve ever read, in this genre or any other. The rest is just framework and canvas. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="385px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OUkHNSILfd0BJIuyD97Oov7VS56BJZjer4d_Z49sNqznnv_d3anU7iDSaTV7zetwx2_MmBlOU6nJZGgAAIKfs712AdLNE2eumtAZq70lqaE4XZ7aqF3Lwi_1OSisrG21kuQ" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="446px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are you going to do to Derek Landy if you get your hands on him? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ooooo! I like this question! Well first I am going to thank him. Then strangle him. Then hug him. Then bawl on his shoulder. Also (if I have time), I want to ask him how he can emotionally kill his characters. When I write, I am very attached to my characters. They are my babies! And then to just *WHAM* and they’re dead… I don’t know how he does it. And he does it a few times. Especially when he doesn't kill the character but destroys them (think Peeta in Mockingjay). </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My plan is very similar to that of Inigo Montoya’s. Just kidding. I will shake his hand and then make him write what I want him to write--with some weapon or other--and then I will torture him like he did Skulduggery that year. Note: I haven’t read the last two books. If he kills Certain Characters I may skip the torture and just give him a violent yet poetically just end.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Best quotes? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doors are for people with no imagination.”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The sparrow flies south for the winter.”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I try never to underestimate my opponents, no matter how stupid their beards.”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And yet, most twelve-year-olds don’t believe in octopus people.” ~SP in KotW </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">((I reread the first book and found it!))</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’re not retreating. We are advancing in reverse.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="931px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/dWNXP_RjYUdOLw7gPz9S2bQnIlPsMxCg8n0Mnll2M0o2l2WK9OJqlMlTbQaRWNnlBr49RgrJNs81eL8pKlwmC2ju5EioXo5yGxFHxdJft9vcDnX06i2Cp8fixeFP_nELTWI" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="515px;" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also see our </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/emmy22299/skulduggery-pleasant/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pinterest board</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for more extensive quotations.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you think you’ve found a SP fan? Here are some ways to tell:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walk up to them and say, “the sparrow flies south for the winter.” If they duck, bravo! you’ve found one. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Ask them if they show off. If they say, “No. I merely demonstrate my abilities at opportune times,” you’ve found one. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Ask them if they have any rainbow dust. If they don’t think you’ve been watching My Little Pony, you may have found one. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Walk up to them and say “Kenspeckle.” if they smile, frown sadly and/or sob, you’ve found one. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~If your supposed fan is wearing a skull, ask if that’s the original or if it was stolen by goblin things while they were asleep. Ask if the cheekbones were higher. If they chuckle understandingly, you’ve found one. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Ask them if they like Gordon Edgley’s books. Say, excitedly, that you never met him, but one of his short stories was based on something that happened to you. This may be met with more crying or a knowing smile, depending on how far along the reader is. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Walk up to the suspect and say “Darquesse vs. Vile.” If their eyes light up and they get a fiendish/slightly guilty look on their face, you’ve found one. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Sneak up behind them, wearing sunglasses, and, in a Texan accent, say “Have you seen my darned straight-razor? that **** girl took it from me.” If they whip around in terror, you may have found one. Or you may just have a really bad Texan accent. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Walk up to them and say “Ganith.” this is slightly evil. Very evil. If they cry, you found one. You may also have a bloody nose. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #5b0f00; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That is the only one I thought of. You can also tell which book they are on by this phrase. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We know that Landy is evil, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="168px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/x_f8QjjJCDYisnHzIEgWH1T6nDroVDT-FkrEoZkkfIYazk4BjxUxsPpiT_YuJ85r5qQ_KHp_gzTnoecqYYdX1NDZxMEAazdp2eDQ6U1s8I_vqsiBe5HmaU_E6XSg7xrT7o4" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="300px;" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">but there are things we like about him too. Such as...</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I love how he puts all the different magic disciplines all in one book. You have vampires, warlocks, crazy gods, elementals, necromancy, etc. You name it, it is most probably in there.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I also love the characters. To be honest, that is my favourite part of this series. His characters are flippin’ amazing. They feel so real. Another thing is that it isn’t just another Harry Potter or Percy Jackson type series. It is its own individual thing. I have never seen anything like the story of a sarcastic, skeleton detective. It is balanced with both teenagers and adults. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TANGENT WARNING</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">might I add, competent adults. Well, most of them. Okay. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of them)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Name one)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Skulduggery would say that he is very competent.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HE says that, but I quote him himself, “I have been known to be irresponsible, and it is entirely possible that is is happening again.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanith. I win. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nope! I use the first book, “Did you find anything?” “We thought it was a foot print but it turned out to be, uh, more floor.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Desmond Edgley? Never mind. “The most important thing to remember when holding a baby is not to drop it...to pick it up by the scruff of the neck...to pick it up by the ears?”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All right. You win. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">END OF TANGENT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His writing style takes some getting used to, but it’s unique. For example, I had a headache and Lu was reading a section of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Playing with Fire</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to me, and she stopped and said “he uses their names</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a lot.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” I told her to read it in an Irish accent. Bam! Problem solved. His pattern/word rhythm may seem a bit odd, but you just have to get used to it. Another thing that took some getting used to is how dark, almost morbid-feeling aspects of the book can be. But I attribute that to its being Irish too. I mean, have you ever heard traditional Irish stories? They’re dark. And possibly depressing. Landy definitely taps into that, but I really enjoy it now. It’s simultaneously dark and very lighthearted. I can’t describe it properly. Read the books. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like Emery said, his characters are the best part--they’re simultaneously real and fantastic. What comes out of their mouths is a close second. I joke that “I tried copying down every clever quote from that SP book. The bad news, it took a long time. Good news, I have a new copy of the book.” SP ties with Sherlock for witty dialogue.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="344px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bJ2vjLanlhby3B1Wjy4k6AIoZ1xFGuQa_n7bVhtNnO1e_8CQW9WhOKTXUJxFWWre05tiPqyNM6fn0MMJtP_R1gRhXa0IDnBZ9JCFb_kLVMyBxGIDwxXRKhn8hmJxELpeBJk" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="624px;" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And did I mention the fandom references? there are tons of fandom references. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OH MY GOSH ARE THERE! I don’t think I see half of them, I am so immersed in the book. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I won’t spoil, but so far I’ve caught allusions to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Princess Bride, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doctor Who, Sherlock, monty python’s ‘the parrot sketch,’ and LotR. There are a few others as well that I don’t feel like remembering right now. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any advice for would-be minions? Where can I find these books?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The books in order:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scepter of the Ancients </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(or just </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skulduggery Pleasant)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Playing with Fire</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Faceless Ones</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dark Days</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mortal Coil</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Death Bringer</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The End of the World (not a proper novel--a miniature one)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kingdom of the Wicked</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Maleficent Seven (stand-alone novel with Tanith)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Last Stand of Dead Men</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Armageddon Outta Here!* (also not a proper novel)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Dying of the Light</span></div>
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*we think</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(End of the World goes between Death Bringer and KotW. And Armageddon Outta Here is b</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #980000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> decide whether you love them or not until you’ve read at least through three or four.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The plots in the first few are a bit on the weak side, and things just generally get awesomer in the fourth book. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also, don’t forget it all like I did. Because there are so many references to the first books, and I forgot what happened. I also forgot who Remus Crux was, he is the detective nobody likes. So keeping tabs may help. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sound advice. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check the library. They may have the first few. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Usually up to three. Unless you live in England. Lucky you. *angry snorting noises* THE PAIN. I had to wait three months for Kingdom of the Wicked! THREE MONTHS BETWEEN BOOKS. NO WONDER I CAN”T REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED. Grr.)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> There, there, dear. We console ourselves as best we can. Then, if you get desperate for the later ones, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dark Days</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (4)--</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Last Stand of Dead Men</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (8) are on Youtube in audiobook form. Keep in mind that you may just want to bite the proverbial bullet and buy them if you like them </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Eventually you will. Save the hassle and buy them all now.)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, since the later ones have to be bought on amazon through individual sellers in the UK, they take a while to get here. Also, audiobook is a singularly frustrating way to read--it takes too long and you can’t shake the Irish accent for weeks afterwards. The plus side of the audio is a)Skulduggery’s voice--gah. b) you learn how to pronounce names and c) it’s free & instant. Your choice. You could theoretically ask to borrow mine, I suppose...if you want to be refused. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="281px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f46DvsFQC-OMk_IFD62g25vIfD0CmCyzx3y2NzgWPqK0YjjXxxfg6tmd2Z_HnvWbQ4H3tImpU7qqk6X3HaI4rsgr1lthk3UBHQq-5DXDIVKrN_mRhUlzPcXcCIFv9iz68Io" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="500px;" /></span></div>
<span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From left to right: Tanith, Skulduggery, China, Ghastly, Fletcher, and Valkyrie. </span>Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-22485867117639582192015-02-04T19:46:00.000-08:002015-02-04T19:46:26.245-08:00The Promised Movie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear friends, fans, phans, theatre people, and other fabulous people (or chickens),</div>
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Allow me to show you a picture. <img src="http://ms00.mask9.com/mt0x0001/10016/image/201203/haff/movie-un-monstre-a-paris-3d-still-mask9.jpg" /></div>
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I can hear your gasps now--what is this phenomenon? Surely they are not making <i>Phantom of the Opera</i> into--of all things--an animated movie? </div>
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Alas, the answer is no. For better or worse, we're stuck with Karimloo as the best Phantom for now. Oh well. Yet I still beg your attention for this great little film. <i>Un Monstre à Paris</i> is one of the best non-Barbie, non-Disney animated films I've ever seen. Which actually isn't that many. I guess that makes this one even more valuable, right? </div>
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A Monster in Paris, to use the English title, is a French animated movie from 2011, with Vanessa Paradis and Matthieu Chedid (Sean Lennon in English) voicing the roles of Lucille and Francoeur, respectively. It is seriously underrated. I heard of it from a Youtube playlist, of all places. This is ridiculous. I should have had people clamoring from all sides for me to see this musical/movie. Since a sad lack of popularity seems to be its fate, I believe perhaps a brief summary is in order.</div>
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A musical genius is shunned and mocked and hunted in society through no fault of his own in 1910.</div>
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<img height="212" src="http://i.imgur.com/M1sLE.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="400" /></div>
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He finds his way into the dressing room of a young singer with brown curly hair who wears a lot of white. She is often referred to as an 'angel.' At first she is frightened of him, but when she hears his beautiful voice she overcomes her fear and grows to have affection for him, even singing with him on stage (he wears a white mask to hide himself). </div>
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<a href="http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/24500000/Francoeur-In-Disguised-a-monster-in-paris-24595189-800-786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/24500000/Francoeur-In-Disguised-a-monster-in-paris-24595189-800-786.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile a young man named Raoul is trying to renew his childhood friendship with the singer, though he is interested in a bit more than friendship at this point.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.flayrah.com/sites/default/files/u/dronon/monstre2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raoul and his infamous straw coat</td></tr>
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<img src="https://tickets.phoenix.org.uk/visinternetticketing/images/movies/Monster%20in%20Paris.jpg" /></div>
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Lucille is kept busy hiding her genius alternately from the bumbling proprietor and prominent guests of the cabaret, Mme. Carlotta, and two gentlemen, one tall and one short. </div>
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<img height="224" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQLltKQvvdHJnHPah9KgVuUxcGuWfpbRRcz256nzUSSXJrpTu6UBw" width="400" /></div>
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Eventually a citywide hunt for the 'monster' begins, and he disappears seemingly without a trace (actually there's more, but you'll have to watch it for that). </div>
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I don't know about you, but I've never heard anything quite like that before.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">...</span> </div>
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So maybe it borrows liberally and unashamedly from Leroux's novel, but this lovely film relies on more than stealing from Gaston Leroux and Andrew Lloyd Webber--it's got plenty of fun elements of its own, in *both* languages. </div>
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First of all, I would like to draw your attention to the songs. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z-NbQvhzKM">"La Seine"</a> is the most prominent (I suspect because it gets stuck in everyone's head the most). As noted, it's catchy and fun. I don't care for the English version so much--I have a hard time telling Lucille and Fracoeur's voices apart, but both versions are still lovely. If you look up a translation of the French words, Fracoeur's verse is actually addressed to Lucille. I found this adorable. There are a few other songs, but the title song "A Monster in Paris"--Francoeur's heartbroken solo song--is the one that stands out the most. As a musical theatre fan, I love movie musicals. Ones that don't have to be previewed/edited are even better. As a sensible person and a six year old at heart, I appreciate the fact that there aren't *too* many songs. This movie has the movie/music balance just about right. </div>
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Another awesome element to this movie is that it is a French film. I'm a studious student of French. I need French stuff. My sister is a French student. She needs French stuff. My other siblings are bored. They need French stuff (all right, maybe we did watch it in English. Whatever). The fact remains, however, that it's a great opportunity to study another language/culture through a familiar, non-boring medium. My younger brother has picked up part of the chorus of "La Seine" ("Je ne sais, ne sais, ne sais pas pourquoi") from hearing the song in French and English. I often use those phrases in conversation, and he was able to pick up and apply a bit of a language that he isn't officially learning yet. Yay for multilingual experiences. </div>
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The biggest reason this movie is so great, though, is that it's just plain fun. Sure, it contains elements from a dark-ish story, but it still stays mostly lighthearted and doesn't take itself too seriously. The characters are great</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emile and Maud, the adorable subplot that I forgot to mention</td></tr>
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--how can you not love a guy who names his delivery truck Catherine?</div>
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<img height="300" src="http://content.internetvideoarchive.com/content/photos/8290/452252_014.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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--and while the story's often funny, it has its 'feelsy' moments too. Lucille is the queen of sass. Emile and Maud are absolutely adorably awkward. And Francoeur...well. Let's just say you have never been as attached to a flea, nor are you ever likely to again. I like Francoeur. Francoeur is cool. </div>
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Plus, there's actually a happy ending, which is more than I can say for the source material. </div>
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While it is a kids' movie, I think a paraphrase of Lewis is suitable here--if you won't watch a movie when you're all grown up and in high school, you shouldn't watch it when you're ten. Which basically means that big kids can do little things too.Or something. </div>
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In short, this is a great little film. It's not <i>Frozen</i>, and it's not <i>Phantom</i>, but it combines elements of both into an hour and thirty minutes of enjoyment. To quote AVPM, it's 'totally awesome.' </div>
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Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go seek out Lucille cosplays. I know they're out there somewhere... </div>
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(I am not allowed to use deliberative oratory in the review for class, but no one said anything about here. Guys, this movie needs attention. Go watch it. Make your siblings watch it. Spread the madness!)</div>
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-18395866413076190532015-01-27T12:35:00.000-08:002015-01-27T12:35:02.079-08:00I'm Baaaaaack...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Did you miss me?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXqhSKmZDjhg3yrXiLskZ2awGyKgFHwPAcIxv1KvciYD-xOZao6q3gGmr1b4F2PITabuDIBpdCWaSSqx0fDR9MDuKLMkl1uqIFiwgwrL9jIUU74Vq0dtX3TEOJVs4AEQ3z66oxPPR4fY/s1600/look+of+surprise.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXqhSKmZDjhg3yrXiLskZ2awGyKgFHwPAcIxv1KvciYD-xOZao6q3gGmr1b4F2PITabuDIBpdCWaSSqx0fDR9MDuKLMkl1uqIFiwgwrL9jIUU74Vq0dtX3TEOJVs4AEQ3z66oxPPR4fY/s1600/look+of+surprise.gif" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes! Catie is not dead! She was just mostly dead for a while. Exam week, Christmas, New Year's stuff, homework, birthday parties, the lot, can be rather taxing on one's posting. But I'm back. </div>
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I believe I should start posting in earnest (hehe Jess. I hear you squealing) this weekend, possibly earlier, possible later. </div>
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See, we're doing a movie review in Rhetoric, so I thought <i>why not go ahead and use it on here?</i> </div>
We'll see what sorts of fandomy things will join it. In the meantime, just sit back, relax, and...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWajNmWPGH-gbRXz5lAX_UEQ7q2Y-4m_5PElCoy1nPModZnMBJKPYbjYXrwYTXtMlk2TpUiNgM8zmoHDCrgbvtJPUkeUc91pq3W70A2TTP0eTYQT4cZQC1d5htzj2ANJPiGpJ7OZ59E8/s1600/NARF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWajNmWPGH-gbRXz5lAX_UEQ7q2Y-4m_5PElCoy1nPModZnMBJKPYbjYXrwYTXtMlk2TpUiNgM8zmoHDCrgbvtJPUkeUc91pq3W70A2TTP0eTYQT4cZQC1d5htzj2ANJPiGpJ7OZ59E8/s1600/NARF.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-18506734624795462562014-11-05T14:35:00.005-08:002014-11-05T15:16:01.686-08:00When is it Okay to Fangirl? ...I thought that, just for fun, I would compile a brief list of when (and when not) to fangirl. I find it a tricky business myself, but I hope this helps.<br />
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<b>When to Fangirl...</b><br />
~~at home during the day when you see something exciting.<br />
<i>Tom Hiddleston is coming to Shreveport? *cue squeals*</i><br />
<i>Your wonderful Australian friend is coming to visit? *cue squeals* </i><br />
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exception: when an important family member is napping or suffering from a headache. The high-frequency noises can cause significant irriatation and/or pain. In this case it is wise to place a cushion, a hand, or some other muffling device over the mouth to prevent sound escaping. If this course of action is ignored, a sibling may volunteer to oblige you.<br />
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~~when with friends<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/49/2e/ff/492eff52939c052ee56b60b855eea1dd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/49/2e/ff/492eff52939c052ee56b60b855eea1dd.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
Fangirling, like any other sport, is more fun in a group. If the area permits, fangirl away.<br />
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exception: when the majority of the group in no way share the fandom being fangirled over--especially if they're not fans because of family or conscience-related restrictions. That's just rude. <br />
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~~Online<br />
Obviously, it's all right, or I wouldn't be here.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">or something like that...</td></tr>
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seriously though, you can't exactly smash your face on the keyboard in 'real' life. And sometimes that's the only way to express yourself adequately.<br />
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I especially condone the tactful taking over of Tumblr posts...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtV57kxPz8eyakAltkl10tgzv2MJ1d8a-dqQGYGLo5nruEh0MwXRkdJ_NjlhFiyo-xHuYSOnQsU1C1CFBBY-btKu9JvVfXZA4xDAKnoQKN8M0XIVZuIgxanUBEBdfPHt5UrpQIIhvgy0/s1600/tumblr+hack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtV57kxPz8eyakAltkl10tgzv2MJ1d8a-dqQGYGLo5nruEh0MwXRkdJ_NjlhFiyo-xHuYSOnQsU1C1CFBBY-btKu9JvVfXZA4xDAKnoQKN8M0XIVZuIgxanUBEBdfPHt5UrpQIIhvgy0/s1600/tumblr+hack.png" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b7/10/2f/b7102f0cbd59c9c4e280e76e6663f142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b7/10/2f/b7102f0cbd59c9c4e280e76e6663f142.jpg" height="400" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'just Sherly things' are a particular favorite.</td></tr>
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~~When you meet Charles Dickens<br />
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<a href="http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdihiwInTp1qcwhkeo5_r1_250.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdihiwInTp1qcwhkeo5_r1_250.gif" /></a></div>
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~~In public<br />
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You love your fandoms; why be ashamed of them?<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7c/9b/f3/7c9bf35d206ce2860610ffd2b4706157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7c/9b/f3/7c9bf35d206ce2860610ffd2b4706157.jpg" height="311" width="320" /></a></div>
exception: in very tight spaces, such as automobiles. Or anywhere your screaming might carry, really.</div>
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exception 2: when your social skills have not developed past the point of creepiness (this mainly applies to attempts to make contact with a fellow fan).<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/8e/9a/65/8e9a65ecdc2d317ca3541e4726cf86be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/8e/9a/65/8e9a65ecdc2d317ca3541e4726cf86be.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
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exception 3: when mental fangirling causes awkward facial expressions.</div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/18/b0/aa/18b0aa8c1d4318f4fbb0938cbfe14456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/18/b0/aa/18b0aa8c1d4318f4fbb0938cbfe14456.jpg" height="400" width="258" /></a></div>
<b>When it's NOT okay...</b><br />
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<a href="http://38.media.tumblr.com/1a67655eebfdf32bc3d5f5d7b0cc7657/tumblr_nch110fVZv1rzotx3o4_250.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://38.media.tumblr.com/1a67655eebfdf32bc3d5f5d7b0cc7657/tumblr_nch110fVZv1rzotx3o4_250.gif" /></a></div>
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~At Random Moments when Someone is Speaking to You: </div>
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I know, I know--it's hard. I personally have a sort of mental pinterest board that I scroll through when I'm bored (no pun intended--just this once). I'll suddenly come across something funny and fandom-related, and just burst out laughing, no matter the time, the place, or who I'm supposed to be listening to. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxiet8CAgB1r2v3wdo1_r3_250.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxiet8CAgB1r2v3wdo1_r3_250.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">did I also mention it is okay to use as many Sherlock gifs on your own blog post as you want? 'cause it is.</td></tr>
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...it can get awkward. If anyone has a remedy for this (besides actually listening), I'd be grateful.</div>
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~Weddings and funerals. Just don't. <br />
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<a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/caffienekitty/pic/009ys2gg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://pics.livejournal.com/caffienekitty/pic/009ys2gg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
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~In the theatre.</div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/16/69/3e/16693eed52212a992673002b1639dc5d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/16/69/3e/16693eed52212a992673002b1639dc5d.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unless you do it very quietly. This is another hard one.</div>
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~When you see a favorite character's look-alike in public. This is the most difficult. Once in Destin we saw--and were forced to interact with--someone who looked EXACTLY LIKE MR. TILNEY. </div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/08/9d/a5/089da50f752295a56a652a42033c5eed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/08/9d/a5/089da50f752295a56a652a42033c5eed.jpg" /></a></div>
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A very tricky situation to keep under control--we nearly lost it when he did the smirk. Keep calm and carry on, I suppose...</div>
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Well, there you have it--a quick guide to the appropriate place to express your appreciation for your fandoms. This is by no means exhaustive, so if you have any more, let me know. </div>
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This also applies to fanboys, just to clear up any confusion. </div>
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Do you have any tips on controlling fandom-related outbursts when forced from your lair? </div>
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-73176407814891673702014-11-04T20:25:00.002-08:002014-11-05T08:17:58.063-08:00"Oh look! It's tomorrow!"...that's what happened when I started this post, and it's also the reason you didn't get any post today. Or yesterday. Whatever.<br />
Time and timing aside, here is the next in the Four Fandoms in Progress. Your clues were, <b><span style="color: #20124d;">Musical. Girl. Misunderstood. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5xCEjJNIoL038CIl-kwqN9t4GS4FIwEwEDoOzgdSvjwZa5ILsdeUPaQive7W0B5Kc8zFJQOds43561ufeajqGSOPUnFWedolcbFXyUMydxsPYIcYVXeEOhoHJJQtBG-YClDMIszehY4/s1600/LesMisEponineRain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5xCEjJNIoL038CIl-kwqN9t4GS4FIwEwEDoOzgdSvjwZa5ILsdeUPaQive7W0B5Kc8zFJQOds43561ufeajqGSOPUnFWedolcbFXyUMydxsPYIcYVXeEOhoHJJQtBG-YClDMIszehY4/s1600/LesMisEponineRain.png" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a random picture of Eponine to prevent spoilers in people's feeds</td></tr>
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</span></b><br />
...which totally doesn't cover every hit musical ever.<br />
All right, here's a better clue: it rhymes with Cricket. Kind of.<br />
Guessing game's over!<br />
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<a href="http://www.californiamusicaltheatre.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/New-Wicked-Logo-5x5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.californiamusicaltheatre.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/New-Wicked-Logo-5x5.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a> </div>
When I first heard of <i>Wicked</i>, I must confess I rolled my eyes, as I usually do with misunderstood villain-type plots. I just don't care for them, and they're usually quite far-fetched, if not just <i>wrong</i>. I've never been a huge fan of <i>The Wizard of Oz, </i>to my knowledge (though I read a few of the sequels and enjoyed them), and a musical spin-off explaining why Dorothy was really the villain seemed a bit unnecessary.<br />
Ha. hahaha.<br />
I'm still no expert on Wicked--I've never seen it live, I don't own anything related to it, and I don't really have an extensive knowledge of every Elphaba ever. But I have watched the entire play, thanks to a bootleg video on Youtube, and my fellow family members keep singing some of the songs ceaselessly. That's a good sign, right?<br />
I was concerned about the magic at first (see my concerns about HP) but 1. Elphie obviously has a natural talent for magic, which I'm fine with, and 2. This is Oz, not Earth. So, with my conscience satisfied, and with the recommendation of several of my closest friends, and my math teacher, of all people, I set about checking it out (la! A rhyme!).<br />
Let me say this: my mother will probably never like this musical. Here's why--there's no movie or concert recording that she can watch. There's no way for her to see/understand the whole thing (I think we all agree that needs to be fixed ASAP). The other reason is the style of the music--it's that Broadway belting style that grates on her nerves so badly. It does take some getting used to, and Idina does make my spine do a weird little dance (and not in a good way) with some of her vocal manipulations. Oh, and did I mention that it's Popu-lar (see previous post about my family's attitude towards hype)?But I can live with that. However, mother dear, if you can't, I completely understand. And I apologize for all those times you have awakened from slumber with "I'm flying HIGH, DEFYYYYING GRAVITY!" already. Those times are probably not over, alas.<br />
So, some random bits...<br />
~~like I said, I haven't seen clips of every cast ever (yet), but my favorites right now (and possibly forever) are these gals: <br />
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~~I also like Alli Mauzey's Galinda, even though she is frighteningly giddy sometimes...<br />
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~~speaking of Galindas, I also like what I've heard of Annalene Beechey<br />
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~~I adore the costumes in this musical, particularly--you guessed it--G(a)linda's. <a href="http://oftrimsandfrillsandfurbelows.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-costumes-of-wicked-galindas-costumes.html">Here </a>is a couple of lovely posts about the costumes. The Popular gown and the Bubble gown are particularly lovely.<br />
I even attempted to replicate the spirit of the "Popular" gown for Halloween. It was all very last-minute and the sweater, alas, was necessary because of the chill in the air. And my curls are unfortunately not visible.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with my dear friend Gabbi, who used to have a lovely Elphie braid but chopped it off before I was interested in this crazy thing. *sigh*</td></tr>
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And what is this strange thing I find on the internet?<br />
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<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/RainbowJude/MusicalCyberspace/wicked01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/RainbowJude/MusicalCyberspace/wicked01.jpg" height="337" width="400" /></a></div>
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...could this possibly be a BLUE 'Popular' gown? I need one. </div>
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~~I love that it's a musical about two girls. Not two boys and a girl, not two girls and a boy*, not two girls and two boys, <i>two girls</i>. And they sing together. It is ridiculously hard to find fun duets for female voices! Usually one of the singers is forced into playing tenor or baritone, which can be mighty straining and unfit for public performance. I had such high hopes for <i>Frozen</i>, but it did kind of let me down in that regard. Wicked, on the other hand, has "What is This Feeling?" and "For Good," one funny, the other serious. I LOVE IT.</div>
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*I know, I know, there's Fiyero. But frankly I found him to be the weak spot in the whole thing (unless played by Aaron Tveit). Please don't shoot me.</div>
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~~I just really like the story--it's a great look at everything from the power of the media to loyalty and hypocrisy to how (not) to deal with roommates. </div>
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And with that, I am (hopefully) off to watch an installment of the next featured fandom. Here's a hint: unlike the previous one, it doesn't rhyme with Cricket. Happy guessing!</div>
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Have any of you lucky ducks seen Wicked? How did you meet this musical? Are you a fan of Fiyero? </div>
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-10215609558949266792014-11-02T22:00:00.003-08:002014-11-02T22:04:50.687-08:004 Fandoms in Progress, part 1I thought it was high time I gave a brief overview to some fandoms I've been 'working on.' By working on I mean checking out, watching, reading, listening to, etc.--as opposed to have watched, have listened to, have seen live, have gotten the tee shirt,* etc. This post has turned out to be much longer than I anticipated, and so I am stretching it into multiple posting opportunities. Yippee.<br />
So, without further fuss...<br />
1. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Harry Potter</b></span><br />
Ah, yes, the controversial one. Woo-hoo. As I was (well, am) growing up I rarely heard this series spoken of in anything more flattering than sarcasm, a metaphor for going with the flow and doing stupid things. Part of this is my family's general aversion to anything with a lot of hype (Mum's INTP and Dad's ENFJ with a very slight feeling preference. We tend to view humanity as a whole as being less-than-bright, and ergo anything that humanity in general likes must not be terribly intelligent. Faultless reasoning, no?). Of course, I have inherited a lot of this contrariness, and when you're contrary to what's contrary to most people, you get a double negative, ~~, which means you get a positive. Thank you, logic.<br />
So, one day, I decided I would give HP a shot. It helped that our goodwill has a neat policy on paperback purchases--buy one for $.25, or buy five for a dollar. Dear Harry's first volume helped my miserly little self avoid paying five cents more per book. I've gotten much worse books to make that noble 5 before...<br />
The proverbial elephant (not Gavroche's, alas) in the room with Harry Potter, at least in my circles, is the 'witchcraft.' I don't have time or inclination to go into my justifications here, but let me say that I don't think what Hogwarts teaches in any way resembles what twisted man might try to do to gain demonic power. It's an inherent, inherited ability.Witchcraft is a bit of a misnomer here. I'm not saying I'm completely fine with all of it, or that I want my younger siblings running around waving wands and screaming spells (since when do I like it if they're running around, screaming, or waving anything?); I'm just saying that thus far, I see nothing shocking or 'polluting' going on thus far.<br />
And if I read one more 'Christian' article on why Harry Potter is demonic and is going to eat the children who read it, I may just explode.<br />
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^ and if you want something amusing, watch this. ^</div>
Now that the elephant has been shot, let's talk about the fun bits in no particular order!<br />
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~~I love J.K. Rowling's writing style--it reminds me of Roald Dahl and Rick Riordan (I'm aware that she came first, blah blah blah, but I read Percy Jackson years before I read HP.). She has all the charm** of the former, the engaging tone of the latter, and the hilarity of both. Very nice indeed.<br />
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~~And may I add that I had no idea the whole thing would be so very...British. I knew it was British, of course, but not that British. I love it. Most of that sort of fiction that I read is very, very American. <br />
~~The Weasleys--I love them. I have had it from multiple sources that our house is somehow reminiscent of the Weasleys' home. I can't quite figure it out--we only have two redheads (quite enough if you ask me) and we certainly don't have troublemakers. Ahem. Maybe it's the gnome problem. Pesky creatures. But seriously, what's not to love about a family of redheads with lots of chickens and no money?<br />
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~~Hermione--I feel for that poor girl. During the first part of <i>Prisoner of Azkaban</i> she reminded me of the year I tried to take VPSA classes and CC at the same time. It was an amazing but incredibly exhausting term and I don't recommend it to anyone without a Time Lord or equivalent.<br />
I think Hermione had been my favorite character so far--perhaps she ties with Ron?<br />
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~~Hogwarts. I told Mom, 'It's like VPSA for wizards!' Except...you actually get to *meet* people. But now is not the time to start pouting about the EOTYG again.<br />
It can't get more fun (?) than a giant old school in a giant old castle filled with giant old secrets and lots of curious young wizards. Unless there were a library. Oh wait. There is. :D<br />
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~~In general, this whole experimental exploration has just been loads of fun, and I am excited to continue. Alas, I only grabbed through book three from my dear uncle's collection, and the library doesn't have book four. So here I am, just (oh so calmly) twiddling my thumbs and waiting around for a random trip to Mississippi or the library to actually get the book I want. I'm thinking the former is more likely. I NEED ME BOOK, PEOPLES!<br />
Let's just hope I survive to finish it. And who knows? Someday I may even watch a movie adaptation. Or eight. You might actually get some pictures someday. But right now, I'm just lurking around the Internet avoiding spoilers. Or trying to.<br />
And I haven't even put a toe into the real fandom yet. It's so big, it's kind of intimidating--this thing is only a few months younger than I am. My sister and I have already had one public fan sighting. She was wearing a Gryffindor shirt, but we were too timid to speak to her. I feel like I'm on the brink of something huge, something exciting.<br />
I need that fourth book. <br />
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So, what's your opinion on the popular wizard? Is it worth the price of obsession?<br />
And if any of you experienced fans are reading, what do you call yourselves? Potterheads?<br />
And has anyone run across a MBTI chart for HP that they think is accurate? Or do you just happen to have an opinion on the types of the characters? I'd love to hear it.<br />
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*actually not entirely true because I don't wear T-shirts. Oh well.<br />
**charm...I think it's charm. Not sure what else to call it.<br />
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And be sure to stick around for part 2! In the style of Gatiss and Moffat, here's three one-word clues: <b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Musical. Girl. Misunderstood.</span></b></div>
That's not ambiguous at all...Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-39479729166966818722014-11-01T10:15:00.000-07:002014-11-01T10:15:38.782-07:00Did You Miss Me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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..ha. I bet you all thought I had given up on this crazy thing, didn't you?</div>
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Well, it never said there had to be 30 posts for 30 days in a row!* </div>
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*</div>
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because in fact it was supposed to be 31 posts 30 days in a row. Details.<br />
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Anyway, I decided that I would simply divide my 30-ish posts into the first week of each month (it took me about three weeks into October to decide this). So, this week, expect your feed to be graced with a post each day (hopefully) and then you have to wait three weeks.<br />
Or what if I turned the three weeks into years and ended with a cliffhanger? That might be fun.<br />
Thankfully I'm not Moffat.<br />
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So, since I don't actually have a topic for this post other than to announce my return (Shut up, John! I don't want everyone to know I'm still alive! Promise you won't tell anyone?"), I need your help. Is there anything/anyone/anyfandom in particular you would like me to write about? I can't guarantee your wish will be granted, but I can try if you will! After all...<br />
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-56384691131734523932014-10-07T13:26:00.001-07:002014-10-09T06:00:34.173-07:00You need people of Intelligence on this sort of Janeite...Tag...Thing<span style="background-color: white;">...since I am feeling particularly uncreative today, and dear Evie tagged me quite some time ago, here is an almost unheard-of event. Catherine is doing a tag.</span><br />
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sorry about the weird highlighting; it does that when I paste stuff. :\</span></b><br />
<b style="line-height: 1.4;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~~Thank and link back to the person who tagged you.</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;"><a href="http://ramblingsfromaustralia.blogspot.com/">Check!</a> Thank you, Miss--er, Mrs. Brandon. Be sure to check out her lovely blog. </span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~~Tell how you were introduced to Jane Austen and share one fun fact about your Janeite life (this fun fact can be anywhere from "I stayed up all night reading <i>Emma</i>," to "I visited Chawton and met Anna Chancellor.").</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~~Answer the tagger's questions.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Skipping the last two steps because I am lazy...</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Fun fact: I have stayed up all night several times sewing Regency gowns, usually while watching some JA adaptation.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">I was introduced to Jane by...wait for it...wait for it...</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">The 2005 Fake P&P. </b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">Not by watching it of course; Mum got it through Netflix for whatever reason and was watching it with Dad. I was curious about it and was told that the book was on her Kindle. So I read it.</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">...and this was pretty much my reaction.</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">~~How many JA books do you own?</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.4;">I own a 'master copy' (leatherbound, Barnes and Noble--Christmas gift) of seven of her novels (the big six +Lady S</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">u</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">s</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">a</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">n</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">), which I adore, and I have at least one paperback copy of all her six big novels (I have an extra <i>Persuasion</i> if anyone wants one). I have an </span><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">additional copy of <i>Persuasion (I</i>'ve got enough to stock a small bookclub, apparentl<i>y) </i>and P&P in hardback. I pick them up at Goodwill whenever I can. Mery gave me <i>The Novels of Jane Austen in One Sitting</i>,</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;"> and I have a teeny decorative version of P&P on a necklace. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; line-height: 1.4;">I'm not obsessed at all.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">~What Austen character do you think you're most like?</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.4;">I've taken different tests and come up with everything from Elinor to Elizabeth to Mary Bennet. In social situations I feel like Darcy--a bit snobby and even more awkward. It didn't say 'heroine,' just </span><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">character</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">!</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">~Have you read the <i>Juvenilia</i>?</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Quite a bit. Not all, though. I love her plays!</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">~Favorite movie/TV adaptation of an Austen novel?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><b><a href="http://pandp95forever.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white;">P&P '95 Forever Club</a></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">I'm a member. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">I also love S&S '95, <i>Emma</i> '09 and NA '07 (though we skip a few bits in that one).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">What is your favourite Jane Austen minor couple?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Erm...Jane and Bingley.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Would you rather spend a weekend with Mr Wickham or Mr Willoughby ?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Spend a weekend with? I assume in company. Erm, Willoughby. He seems to be the more entertaining one. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><b>You've been invited to a ball; what is your first reaction?</b> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">EEEEEEK! and second, "I seriously need my dress trimmed out afresh."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="color: #4c1130; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><b style="background-color: white;">If you could choose a Jane Austen home to live in what would you choose? Netherfield? Pemberley?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Certainly Pemberley. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="color: #4c1130; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><b style="background-color: white;">Brandon or Ferrars?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Brandon--he's so patient and honest, without being overbearing. I love Edward, but shame on him for deceiving Elinor, however accidental it might have been.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><b>Knightley or Captain Wentworth</b>?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">How dare you? Knightley, indeed! Mr. Knightley is wonderful and all others 'cept Percy pale before him.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">Well, that was fun! Feel free to consider yourselves tagged, or go on with your day. Hopefully there will be something longer tomorrow. :)</span><br />
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<br />Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-55660400991435924382014-10-06T11:00:00.000-07:002014-10-06T12:33:41.230-07:00A Question: With Which Miserableness to Start?As most of you know or have guessed, I am a Les Mizzy. It began back in 2012 when I read the entire book* in our week of pre-Christmas break from CC and Veritas (don't try to do both at the same time. It doesn't work). My family did not see much of me. My introduction to the musical, which I love as much as the book, came a bit later. And now it's in the top 10 quoted things at my house. Anytime anyone asks anything about a sign of any sort, at least four voices chime in ''To rally the people, to CALL them to arms! TO BRING THEM IN LIIIIINE!"<br />
Anyway.<br />
I have a question for all my fellow miserables. If you're trying to introduce someone to the musical who is <i>mildly</i> interested, what means would you choose? <br />
The 2012 film (which I have not seen yet)? I would think it might be a bit graphic and scare people away. And--how can I put this nicely--I have the soundtrack and the singing is not the best I've heard. But it does tell the whole story.<br />
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The 10th anniversary concert is my favorite overall cast (I mean, Colm Wilkinson as Valjean. Phillip Quast as Javert. How can you argue with that?) but Fantine's wig is terrifying and it (the concert, not the wig) leaves out huge chunks of the plot. *Huge* chunks.<br />
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And then there's this:</div>
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I do love the 25th concert, HOWEVER (and this is a big however), there's one teeny tiny gaping hole. It has a great cast, great costumes, even a decent set, but it also has this.</div>
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The Jonas. It's not that he wasn't a good Marius, it wasn't that he wasn't as good as Michael Ball, it's that he was a BAD Marius and couldn't handle the singing and couldn't handle the acting and couldn't even handle (hold) Samantha Barks's Eponine when she was DYING and...yeah. I don't want to think about it too much. *shudder*<br />
But the rest of the cast is great (Karimloo, people!) and it includes a whole lot more of the recitative bits than the 10th. So does the Jonas factor o'ershadow the rest as to make it unusable for introductions?<br />
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I've heard it suggested that someone read the book or listen to the 1988 recording all the way through. That sounds great, but they both require quite a bit more than the two or three hours that my hypothetical semi-interested person is willing to apply themselves to.<br />
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So, which one would you choose? Or do you have another idea? <br />
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*well, almost the entire book. After Hugo duped me into reading 200+ pages of Waterloo and the convent, I grew more careful. I skipped the sewers and Parisian slang.<br />
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-70023178622929438262014-10-05T16:22:00.000-07:002014-10-05T16:22:34.471-07:00How to Protect Your Conscience While Fangirling...between you and me, why can't people <i>think</i>?<br />
As implied in my<a href="http://whatcatiedid.blogspot.com/2014/10/can-intjs-fangirl.html"> INTJ fangirl post</a>, I was reluctant to enter the fandom life because, to quote the Parrot Sketch, is seemed 'Silly, silly silly!" I saw (romantically) obsessive posts about characters/celebrities and these people popped into my head...<br />
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...and then those who weren't having crushes all over the place were moaning about how they were born in the wrong era/world/whatever and wished a time lord would pop out of nowhere and save them from their meaningless existence.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">To be entirely, embarrassingly honest, I went through some of this a while back with the Percy Jackson books. Shhh!</span><div>
I have such a hard time controlling my tendency to fall into escapism, because, as this picture so eloquently puts it,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Life becomes misery while I pine away after fictional characters and worlds. It's like an eternal pity-party. I really didn't want to go through that again. Ever. So when I started becoming more active on the internet, I decided I would try to stay away from exaggerated media-related mania of all sorts. I would read the books, and that was all.</div>
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It didn't work. </div>
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Since I discovered some fellow fans who did not seem quite as silly as the others, I decided to check it out cautiously.</div>
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I didn't--and don't, want to consume my media like some people consume soda--pop the lid and guzzle mindlessly. For one thing, it makes you burp. For another, you're drinking high fructose corn syrup and don't even realise it! Here are a few guidelines I've made and try to keep for myself to prevent falling into empty-headed ridiculosity.* I've even categorized them. </div>
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<b>Real People</b></div>
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~~Don't look up actors' personal lives. You will probably learn way more than you wanted to know and feel melancholy and despairing of humanity the rest of the day. Or week.</div>
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~~This is a long one...</div>
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Differentiate between what people can do and who they are. Someone's talent/beauty/personality is a gift--what matters about him/her as a person is what he decides to do with it. </div>
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Let's say that you're looking at a portrait. This one will do.</div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d2/4d/3c/d24d3ce726049455ce1e1447370d98a5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d2/4d/3c/d24d3ce726049455ce1e1447370d98a5.jpg" height="400" width="345" /></a></div>
You can admire it on different levels.<br />
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You could look at it and think 'that's pretty'--admiring the appearance of the subject.</div>
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You could look at it and think 'how did she hold that pose so long? I would get so uncomfortable"--admiring the skill/ability of the subject </div>
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You could look at it and think, 'that's a really interesting outfit and background'--admiring the set and content</div>
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You could look at it and think, 'oh wow. Those ruffles are great--how do they look so perfect? gah, I wish I could paint hair like that'--admiring the skill of presentation. </div>
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At this point, unless you are an art expert or Sherlock Holmes, you don't know anything about the subject or painter. You're just enjoying the art for what it is, and not who created it.</div>
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I try to watch movies/shows the same way. All kinds of people have been given talent in so many areas, and they don't need to be 'good people' to have and use talent correctly. Don't get me wrong; it's doubly awesome when a good person is a good artist, or vice versa. But all too often people confuse the two. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/4f/14/a7/4f14a7d44a41144be19b2c79406cdb1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/4f/14/a7/4f14a7d44a41144be19b2c79406cdb1a.jpg" height="320" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trying to avoid this...</td></tr>
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I can fangirl about James Barbour's voice all day without for a moment implying anything other than that he has an amazing, well-trained voice. That doesn't mean I think he's nice, or clever, or a role model. I can blabber on about what a wonderful actor Tom Hiddleston is without sacrificing my romantic ideals to him. I can pin as many pictures of JJ Feild as I like without thinking him to be an exemplary human being. I might just like his ears. And his smirk. Or the fact that he looks like Tom Hiddleston. Moving on...</div>
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You get the picture. I may jokingly swoon a lot, but I really do try to keep admiration of celebrities in check. Separation of the talent from the person works really well. Wholehearted admiration, from what I've seen, turns into unhealthy infatuation very quickly. And then you get stuff like this...</div>
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<b>Stories</b><br />
~~Analyze everything. When you like something, find out why.<br />
When you sort out the pros and cons, you appreciate the good and true in the story, but you also recognize any false arguments the book/show may be pressing on you. Eat the meat and spit out the bones.<br />
Different people have different safe tolerance levels. I can separate the humanistic messages Les Mis might try to send me and concentrate on other themes (grace vs. justice, redemption, charity, etc.), or enjoy <i>Sherlock</i>, despite the language or twisted worldviews, while a friend or family member may not be ready yet--or ever.<br />
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You don't have to embrace <i>everything </i>to love a book or show--we should treat our media like we treat people (only we have more power of selection with media). When we really like someone, we acknowledge their faults and forgive them. Some people are good to be around because they inspire us to grow and learn and love. Some people we shouldn't hang around because they're a bad influence. It's a tricky business. So filter everything you take in. Think about it, compare it with other things--Bible stories, other books, movies, historical events, whatever, talk about it, discuss it.<br />
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Only after I have things sorted out in my brain do I switch on the emotions and allow myself to fangirl. But when that happens, you had better look out.<br />
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It's like checking your sleeping bag for scorpions before climbing in.<br />
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In addition, you'll be able to explain yourself to others a lot more easily. Often I feel like I can't tell people I like certain things without them being shocked and horrified.<br />
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I can just hear "Oh, you're one of <i>those</i>..." running through their heads.<br />
So, keep a disclaimer on hand.<br />
Imaginary person 1: "Yes, I love<i> Doctor Who.</i>"<br />
Imaginary person 2:*awkward misjudgey silence* <i>oh my gosh she's one of those brainless fans who slurp up all that evolutionary agenda without a moment's thought.</i><br />
Imaginary person 1: "...I love how they explore sacrifice and love, and the historical episodes are really interesting. There are a few bits I don't agree with, but overall I think it's a great show. Have you ever seen any?"<br />
Imaginary person 2: <i>Hmm. This person has some good points</i>. <i>Maybe the show isn't as bad as I thought. </i>"No, which doctor should I start with?"<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/47/02/49/470249c3b2c35d2397c2c228abb3e193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/47/02/49/470249c3b2c35d2397c2c228abb3e193.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Not that actual conversations work like that, unfortunately, but it's still a good idea to have some idea in case anyone has questions, no?<br />
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<b>Problems with Escapism</b><br />
Ah, the biggie. It took me months, but I finally (thanks mostly to Omnibus) understood why the idea of belonging to my fantasy worlds appealed to me so much. It's linked to this idea:<br />
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~~When you find yourself wishing to be part of an epic, remember that you are. I'm not going to delve too deeply into this, but the Bible is seriously the most exciting fantasy story ever written, with the best Hero and the best minor characters. Only it's not fantasy; it's real. All the others, at some level, are just imitating. It's the only book whose 'fandom,' if you will, actually gets to live in its world and participate in the adventure. I personally find that a bit mind-blowing.<br />
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If you've made it this far, congratulations!<br />
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Do any of you have any tips for thriving in the clutches of fandom?<br />
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*yes, this is a word. I made it up. You have my permission to use it as much as you like.<br />
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-29239648652079888612014-10-04T19:52:00.002-07:002014-10-05T16:04:23.239-07:00Obscure Fandom DaySince I'm pretty dead from being in town all day, I thought a short post was in order.<br />
Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you a book that I'm not even sure has a fandom!<br />
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<a href="http://storydaddotorg.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/the-hidden-hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://storydaddotorg.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/the-hidden-hand.jpg" height="640" width="450" /></a></div>
Some dear friends were kind enough to insist that we read this book; I'm sure glad they did. It's quite an intimidating-looking thing--not Les Mis heavy, but still pretty thick. In the beginning of the book whoever wrote the foreword said he took three days of steady reading to finish it.<br />
So of course I said "Challenge accepted" and read it in two.<br />
<i>The Hidden Hand </i>is fast-paced (for 1859), intense (yet still oddly lighthearted) and generally just fun. It's also American--see? I can read non-British things, if only on occasion. It's full of mysteries, abductions, broken hearts, grumpy old men, evil, mustache-twirling blackguards, Black Donald (I like him too much), and sass. Lots and lots of sass--mainly from Capitola, who is basically the opposite of a mild-mannered blonde Victorian heroine. She cracks me up.<br />
I found it to be completely satisfactory in its ending--it has sad parts, but it neither sacrifices its characters to complete tragedy nor falls into the stereotypical happy ending trap. There are a lot of Christian themes woven in, not tacked on, which was impressive. <br />
Its main fault is too many exclamation points! All the time! But we must forgive it its little quirks. We can't all be Jane Austen.<br />
So if you've never read this book and are looking for something fun but not *too* fluffy, give it a try. Jess and I are working on a dreamcast project, because there needs to be a movie for this thing. Once you read it, send one of us a note and we'll add you to the Pinterest board!<br />
I hope I'm wrong about this book not having a fandom--now's your chance to prove me wrong.<br />
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-21854607427634910192014-10-03T21:22:00.000-07:002014-10-05T21:03:17.782-07:00Can INTJs Fangirl?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ihd-wallpapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Grumpy_cat_quotes_no-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ihd-wallpapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Grumpy_cat_quotes_no-5.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There you have it.</td></tr>
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Actually, that's not true. As most of you know, I am an INTJ, which is hardly the fangirliest type--we have a general reputation of being sarcastic loners with no emotions whose only purpose is to take over the world.</div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/90/48/3a/90483aeb0bbed194d4df90ba86043044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/90/48/3a/90483aeb0bbed194d4df90ba86043044.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gee. Fun.<br />
So, a few weeks ago, just out of curiosity, I did a Google search on the fangirling capabilities of the INTJ type. As I was typing, I found some interesting suggestions...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7ppSnP7GvBbcp236nCXh0xw_N0liiQbbXgfC_W_ETRUgHXQtjfxMT4WzAgXmjvjCIRQE8RXrwFzcckWfqORZy4eI8EdycrPbWZVk7W2U6_0tEG9hyzR2ZGbMdKSr6oScPvZMRkB4QiU/s1600/can+intjs....png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7ppSnP7GvBbcp236nCXh0xw_N0liiQbbXgfC_W_ETRUgHXQtjfxMT4WzAgXmjvjCIRQE8RXrwFzcckWfqORZy4eI8EdycrPbWZVk7W2U6_0tEG9hyzR2ZGbMdKSr6oScPvZMRkB4QiU/s1600/can+intjs....png" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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...hmm.</div>
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Another search proved even more interesting...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxBHsB3ADk8gCcxrX4LQi-kuKp1JxrDUElOLikV7htiBPqpNH6RMfOJDcxqqirdQzXaPQ0qeOJCHPuwWsAgZY827VeioWkp2UR7ncLY0T779AFncR5E7a5uY6QG5lxR8bf46Sqibd-kc/s1600/do+intjs....png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxBHsB3ADk8gCcxrX4LQi-kuKp1JxrDUElOLikV7htiBPqpNH6RMfOJDcxqqirdQzXaPQ0qeOJCHPuwWsAgZY827VeioWkp2UR7ncLY0T779AFncR5E7a5uY6QG5lxR8bf46Sqibd-kc/s1600/do+intjs....png" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
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...apparently people have doubts as to our having feelings, or hearts, at all...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinH05pMbH-nKBJlETYa-y0J8SUUkWV-WGiidsoyFvtJUB6Vh-W7kYrEwLMt6fWg5Xj3aLo9Idk5y9gS4mRZO59p2UOBlr-yZGJTPS5foasV3UdTN8wrluKaQFD2qCvxdi389iPukEhADo/s1600/I+have+been+reliably+informed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinH05pMbH-nKBJlETYa-y0J8SUUkWV-WGiidsoyFvtJUB6Vh-W7kYrEwLMt6fWg5Xj3aLo9Idk5y9gS4mRZO59p2UOBlr-yZGJTPS5foasV3UdTN8wrluKaQFD2qCvxdi389iPukEhADo/s1600/I+have+been+reliably+informed.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I've been reliably informed that I don't have one."</td></tr>
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...but we all know that's not quite true. </div>
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True, INTJs are not 'emotional.' If someone asks how we are feeling, we might respond with a moment of reflection and 'fine,' because we literally don't feel anything at the moment--a perfectly normal state of being for us. When we're talking, we probably say something like "I think that that is not a good idea" where others would say 'I feel like that's not a good idea." Emotion is not a go-to state. And that's all right. An INTJ (or this one, at least) is 'happy' when her brain is occupied, usually on some hypothetical scenario or some long, twisty train of thought (usually philosophical, in my case). We think. We judge. It's what we DO.* We don't normally feel sad--frustrated is a better word. If something's wrong, we try to fix it, or at least figure out how it could be fixed, or what made it go wrong in the first place. We aren't easily manipulated by <i>pathos</i> arguments.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7e/2e/db/7e2edb02d83a152ee4ad7354ae9b8a59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7e/2e/db/7e2edb02d83a152ee4ad7354ae9b8a59.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This doesn't happen a lot to me, luckily. But I understand.</td></tr>
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That doesn't leave much room for this, does it?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVAE0IHpTdlhaZ3VEhDMEh3aRRg8TUKmQ851pd8bQe-AvBDIZ2AJ50ypOg9goIu2LMqUIUypf5dTLC7Eq4VbbXv_obhPkYPNdEPC-PfM3K8f_1YknPjx6w_tHcmnVjcTVtbsCB8U2Pfs/s1600/fangirling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVAE0IHpTdlhaZ3VEhDMEh3aRRg8TUKmQ851pd8bQe-AvBDIZ2AJ50ypOg9goIu2LMqUIUypf5dTLC7Eq4VbbXv_obhPkYPNdEPC-PfM3K8f_1YknPjx6w_tHcmnVjcTVtbsCB8U2Pfs/s1600/fangirling.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a gif of fangirling. Thanks, Pinterest.</td></tr>
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Most INTJs probably feel--er, think, that fangirls/fanboys are completely ridiculous (to be fair, a good quantity are). They are disgusted by their gushing and blind adoration of flawed things. For an INTJ to fangirl, she thinks she would have to turn her brain off. And thinking is everything. </div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3b/7a/5c/3b7a5c07cd9875348fb51e9f5aa37b2d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3b/7a/5c/3b7a5c07cd9875348fb51e9f5aa37b2d.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However,</span> the world does not and was not made to make perfect sense. It's messy. It's illogical. It's beautiful. A purely rationalistic viewpoint misses out on some of the best things this crazy life has to offer (read <i>Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl</i> for more information). There's nothing wrong with correctly moderated emotions. In fact, there's a lot right with them. </div>
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This may sound ridiculous, but fangirling can actually be a sort of emotional exercise for the INTJ. When she enjoys something and exerts herself to show it, she is opening herself to others, making herself vulnerable--one of the most difficult things for an INTJ to do. When she talks to fellow fans, she's learning how to communicate better and even tolerate others' crazy feelings. </div>
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When she obsesses over stories, she's not just gulping them down; she's analyzing every bit and her J (judging) is working like crazy. She's learning how to care about others, learning how people act and why they do what they do. </div>
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And if a story makes her cry (which happens rarely), her understanding of pain and sorrow will become firsthand, without actually having to go through tragedy--when something breaks through the outer shell and touches an INTJ's heart, it usually leaves quite a mark. She'll learn how to deal with it. Maybe she'll even learn how to deal with people experiencing it. Catharsis, of sorts.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6c8prcYBHv6XO2qSjNiHEOcKtSQ5MyPDfI81R8BHgULsFfQQ95Zk_LnE0QPn3PnVbSLT3rmzfxKiT6Ank7yaxaFSqWOh9IyoP12Gnn__bGctvkvRLbgK5PsSWtif5AxeFOm4t-ax_-g0/s1600/brain+crying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6c8prcYBHv6XO2qSjNiHEOcKtSQ5MyPDfI81R8BHgULsFfQQ95Zk_LnE0QPn3PnVbSLT3rmzfxKiT6Ank7yaxaFSqWOh9IyoP12Gnn__bGctvkvRLbgK5PsSWtif5AxeFOm4t-ax_-g0/s1600/brain+crying.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the Brain has his moments. </td></tr>
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So living in a fandom is quite beneficial to the INTJ, if she's careful.</div>
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As to the question of the capability of INTJs to fangirl, the answer is yes. However, there may be more going on than one would realise. </div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/88/7b/01/887b01f9b36970bfcfa7cd062a26b7de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/88/7b/01/887b01f9b36970bfcfa7cd062a26b7de.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
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~~An INTJ is likely to deliberately imitate the fangirls around her, because her emotions don't translate themselves well. She has to learn how to identify them and act accordingly. So, if you see an INTJ write 'SQUUUEEE!' in truth that was probably not her immediate reaction. </div>
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~~the real reaction probably went like this: (after seeing an exciting announcement)</div>
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1. She reads the article</div>
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2. She verifies it by research from other sources</div>
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3. Her brain processes the implications of what she just read.</div>
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4. Here is where emotion starts to enter the picture. She feels a tickling in the pit of her stomach, and as she ate nothing to disrupt her digestion that day she assumes that it is excitement. She has read descriptions of such. <i>Hmm. I think I am excited. I should alert my friends.</i></div>
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<i>5. Hmm...I *am* excited. What do people say when they are excited? Ah yes. </i></div>
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6.. She composes an appropriate response and sends it...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/ff/ed/e0/ffede0301d8198228e657fba6e30cdc8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://s-media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/ff/ed/e0/ffede0301d8198228e657fba6e30cdc8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SQUUUEEEEEEEE!</td></tr>
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...although her actual response was nothing like the image she projects. She's not actually faking; she's simply trying to translate.</div>
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Well, there you have it, a quick guide to you INTJ fangirl. I hope this was helpful. And hopefully you also no longer doubt my credibility to post on the topic of fandoms, just because I have the personality type of Nietzsche or a not-short French dictator.** </div>
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For further insight, remember that these are thought (at least by me) to be INTJs too...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSlGNJW0sxjBlrv7FHA0m-dO6ocHw0Ij5V0r2yW62kNEf7I9eBA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSlGNJW0sxjBlrv7FHA0m-dO6ocHw0Ij5V0r2yW62kNEf7I9eBA" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Darcy models my average INTJ fangirl/boy face. Lizzy taught Darcy about feelings and as a result he grew into the ideal of every Janeite today!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVnGOdGF6bfbqgLNFq-iznt7lEToGGAacJAJieJQC_s01-UINxVfyV7bscZexPn2aL5DzIa5HQ0w5tFP54O2mp9MbKZNPoFb6MDMy1_qAbH2H7MuZ37vOdjFSuPsPbrspJziWsfgXecs/s1600/you+had+a+row+with+a+chip+and+pin+machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVnGOdGF6bfbqgLNFq-iznt7lEToGGAacJAJieJQC_s01-UINxVfyV7bscZexPn2aL5DzIa5HQ0w5tFP54O2mp9MbKZNPoFb6MDMy1_qAbH2H7MuZ37vOdjFSuPsPbrspJziWsfgXecs/s1600/you+had+a+row+with+a+chip+and+pin+machine.jpg" height="390" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm only on episode 3 right now, but I'm loving seeing how Sherlock has changed since he became friends with John. He's still got a long way to go.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdnvideo.dolimg.com/cdn_assets/6d7454cea6644379adc7e529c5790a28078a2823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://cdnvideo.dolimg.com/cdn_assets/6d7454cea6644379adc7e529c5790a28078a2823.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love how Elsa goes through emotional developement--from hiding to 'let it go' to love.</td></tr>
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Note: it has been pointed out to me that Elsa displays more INFJ-type qualities. I'm good with that, but I won't take her picture down because I like it. <br />
and, of course...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfsFwBH8SAq6c1f30vmTaZOajh9ZP6sy814BTfhT9wZ__f8AtBe_z3pwJMLjlgOdqb4ZKluA9BfNm516aS7RnKHVmBHqgyjBf-aysUVkjkx8zMQluywGic14bnBgSXGCXShJsEmhwBvc/s1600/jane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfsFwBH8SAq6c1f30vmTaZOajh9ZP6sy814BTfhT9wZ__f8AtBe_z3pwJMLjlgOdqb4ZKluA9BfNm516aS7RnKHVmBHqgyjBf-aysUVkjkx8zMQluywGic14bnBgSXGCXShJsEmhwBvc/s1600/jane.jpg" height="400" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our dear Jane. </td></tr>
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*bonus points if you guess this paraphrase's original source. Family members and Emery exempt. </div>
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**if you thought of Horrible Histories and guessed Napoleon, you are awesome.</div>
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Disclaimer: I speak mainly from my own experience, thus the feminine pronouns.</div>
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If you are an INTJ and feel I have misrepresented our type, please leave a comment--you know I love a good 'discussion.' Come to think of it, leave a comment anyway, angry INTJ or no.</div>
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<a href="http://whatcatiedid.blogspot.com/2014/10/31er-30er-30ish-day-challenge.html" style="color: #7f6666;">Click here to see my other posts in this series</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://write31days.com/" style="color: #662244; text-decoration: none;">Click here to go back to 31 Days Home.</a></div>
Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-77008778976085555842014-10-03T15:24:00.000-07:002015-07-09T12:04:19.659-07:0031...er, 30...er, 30ish Day Challenge?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F0Bg8VfYLDK_0CNniDargsEctGcWKsWl2XsQOfvJ6liRzGbIzCI0RppwIOFD8mL4iViLqtNVS2kf2ZFrj9sNJyednj5ST-HDD_Z5huBCJh7qllu3nkNvGICUp8sQ4aZBGHlZMNpOEVY/s1600/fan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F0Bg8VfYLDK_0CNniDargsEctGcWKsWl2XsQOfvJ6liRzGbIzCI0RppwIOFD8mL4iViLqtNVS2kf2ZFrj9sNJyednj5ST-HDD_Z5huBCJh7qllu3nkNvGICUp8sQ4aZBGHlZMNpOEVY/s1600/fan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="background-color: #edf4ff; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">http://whatcatiedid.blogspot.com/2014/10/31er-30er-30ish-day-challenge.html</span></td></tr>
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<br />
How's that for an exciting start? Since I believe, apparently, in arriving fashionably late to events, I found no reason to make an exception for the 31 Days challenge.<br />
Apprehension and uncertainty had nothing to do with it, I assure you.<br />
<br />
So, without further fuss,<br />
<br />
Welcome to...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">30ish Days of Fandom Randomness! </span><br />
<br />
(clever title, no? I came up with it myself)<br />
<br />
...in which I shall attempt to post something every day for the rest of the month. The topic is my 'fandoms' which is short for 'fanatic domain,' (thank you Pinterest) or a domain of fans. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dCl9ep-PIa_-vdmkLXUVIuf5Hgo10rck8ZH-GJ44UeKLJ5-2JBkOsD63AEenXJaX1-uahXueYpFr9bc4bqzt1mX5UMBm8qgyg-3B6FN3mb4SGeeMAVBjIE74GsE97HO_Bkqa_MpCQCc/s1600/such-a-fan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dCl9ep-PIa_-vdmkLXUVIuf5Hgo10rck8ZH-GJ44UeKLJ5-2JBkOsD63AEenXJaX1-uahXueYpFr9bc4bqzt1mX5UMBm8qgyg-3B6FN3mb4SGeeMAVBjIE74GsE97HO_Bkqa_MpCQCc/s1600/such-a-fan.jpg" width="342" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1014958468"></span><span id="goog_1014958469"></span>People who inhabit fandoms are generally called <b>fans</b>; if one wishes to be gender-specific, <b>fanboys </b>or <b>fangirls</b>. The latter are most common and most prominent. I thought we might start with a few definitions to smooth the way for those of who who may be unfamiliar with the topic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMKNZOBeN9WifcYFbyVLo-yRxq4KkQNV9Qu1eHDW4GWIw3LvUHUlWdXFACaX5CdNE4HyEhROjgVqAixV_tXWb_CqDpi8BfFyhRo32L8LJ0-N2KdUQPpiyIBXXI9DijuMvrVZVH_s4dMg/s1600/a+few+terms.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMKNZOBeN9WifcYFbyVLo-yRxq4KkQNV9Qu1eHDW4GWIw3LvUHUlWdXFACaX5CdNE4HyEhROjgVqAixV_tXWb_CqDpi8BfFyhRo32L8LJ0-N2KdUQPpiyIBXXI9DijuMvrVZVH_s4dMg/s1600/a+few+terms.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><b>fangirl</b>--noun, 1. a female fan 2. one who fangirls</i><br />
<i><b>fangirl</b>--verb, 1. to feel excitement concerning a fandom 2. see 'whale noises' or 'pterodactyl screaming' 3. a seizure--symptoms: impossibly high-pitched whining noises and temporary paralysis of the upper body (with the exception of the hands, which often flap about wildly), combined with difficulty breathing.</i><br />
<i>Example: "I am fangirling so hard about the Dauphin rescue scene."</i><br />
<i>or </i><br />
<i>"SQUUUEEEEEE PERCY!"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>past tense: <b>fangirled</b>-- 1.to have been fangirling under the circumstances described above 2. a feeling of exhaustion caused by fangirling</i><br />
<i>Example: "I am all fangirled out after that Tinkerbell movie. OH HIDDLES!" </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>To fanboy</b> is also generally accepted as a verb but is less commonly used, due to the scarcity of the species.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>Feels</b>: noun, emotions, usually overpowering. Always used in plural form.</i><br />
<i>"Oooooh the FEELS!"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>Ship, shipping:</b> verb, to desire two characters to become romantically attached to each other.</i><br />
<i>Example: (in reference to a conversation between two characters that implies possible attraction) "I ship it!" </i><br />
<i>"I am shipping Sherlolly so hard right now." </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>Ship:</b> noun, a (real or imagined) couple. Often associated with nautical terminology. </i><br />
<i>Example: "My ship has sunk. Curse you, Moffat!" </i><br />
<i>"MY SHIP SAILED! SQUEEE!" </i><br />
<i><b>OTP</b>: a shipping acronym for "One true pairing," meaning the shipper's ideal or favorite couple. The 'one' can be misleading, as most fans have several OTPs </i><br />
<i><b>Shipping names</b>: one of the most confusing habits of the fandoms is the tendency to type seemingly unintelligible gibberish. "Knighthouse? What's that about?" </i><br />
<i>This is an example of a shipping name, which is developed by smashing together the names of the two parties of a ship for quicker reference. Simple, no?</i><br />
<i><b>Canon</b>: in accordance with the original inspiration or material. </i><br />
<i>"I really like the Canon references in "A Study in Pink." </i><br />
<i><b>Squee:</b> exclamation. Short for "I am squealing loudly like a stuck pig at the moment because I am excited." </i><br />
There are many more terms, of course, but that should prove sufficient for now.<br />
Over the next few weeks we will explore several different aspects of being in a fandom, a few of my fandoms, and fandom-produced stuff. Some possible topics:<br />
<b>Obscure Fandom Day, Old Fandom Day, Random Fandom Day, The Starving Fandom, Frightening Fangirls, How to keep Your Conscience Safe while Fangirling, Fanfiction: Yes or No? Liking with a Disclaimer, Can INTJs fangirl? When is it okay to Fangirl? Is there Life after Fangirling? (no)</b>, <b> </b>and that tricky game,<b> Faking Fandoms</b><br />
<br />
I hope you'll come along for the adventure as we delve deep into this fascinating world.<br />
"Do you wanna come with me? 'cause if you do, you're going to see all sorts of things. And it won't be quiet, it won't be safe, and it won't be calm. But I tell you what it will be. The trip of a lifetime."<br />
<br />
<br />
Leave a comment and tell me what you want me to write first (bonus points to you if you guess the quote. Not that points are worth anything)!<br />
<br />
Disclaimer: I do not own any photos that I did not take. If it looks like I didn't take them, then they're not mine.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://whatcatiedid.blogspot.com/2014/10/31er-30er-30ish-day-challenge.html">Click here to see my other posts in this series</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://write31days.com/">Click here to go back to 31 Days Home.</a></div>
Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-54628004004204653662014-03-06T14:22:00.000-08:002014-03-06T14:22:42.974-08:00Lu's Rapunzel-esque Braid...done on my birthday while watching the Barbie movie of the same name, the day after watching the Disney movie on the same heroine. Thus the background, or lack of background.<br />
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-45630485699315542102014-03-06T14:10:00.001-08:002014-03-06T14:13:30.118-08:00Random Pictures from Events I Have not Posted About, Part I--the sorta-kinda ball<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
....meaning, of course, that we were told that we could dress up for this dance, but not to worry about coming in costume.</div>
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Ha. </div>
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Haha.</div>
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Hahaha.</div>
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We read it something like this:</div>
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OMGSH.</div>
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A BALL! YAAAAAAY!</div>
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What are we going to wear?</div>
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Mother! My muslin needs new trim! And my ridicule is absolutely ridiculous!</div>
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I need new ribbon for shoe-roses...and ostrich feathers...</div>
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HOBBY LOBBY, HERE WE COME!</div>
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At least the boys' costumes are okay...</div>
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DAD'S WAISTCOAT IS TWO INCHES TOO SHORT!</div>
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WHERE IS BRENNAN'S QUIZZING-GLASS?</div>
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...while some people might respond to this reaction by wondering why we stress over something so simple and informal...</div>
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...we are too busy sewing each other into gowns to notice. Actually, we love having an event for which we must dress up, so we make the most out of it. If we have to make a mountain out of a molehill...well, we'll do it. Can't really tell the difference in LA, anyway. Don't have many mountains. It's not stress! It's fun. </div>
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Actually, curling Lu's entire head in paper is stressful. But that's not our fault. </div>
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Without further ado...</div>
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Left to right: Em, Jess, Bren, Lu, et moi, confident in our poshness.</div>
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Brennan and Dad...</div>
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Myself dancing the Ship's Cook (an wonderful dance from a wonderful miniseries) with <strike>Kristoff</strike> Grayson</div>
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Shoe-tying--one of my chief occupations of the evening. Apparently, I was the only one whose stays didn't prohibit her movements. Ergo, guess who gets to secure the footwear? Me, that's 'oo!</div>
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My parents, also posh</div>
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Lu and Em in full aristocratic snobbery.</div>
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Fun fact: Emery sewed the red ribbons on her gown crossed in back (they came undone) and crossed in front in memory of the victims of the Reign of Terror. The ribbons symbolized the captives' bonds, and her red choker stood for...yeah. *gulp* that. We based it off a fashion plate from the 1790s. She said she hoped someone would ask about them so she could explain in all the gory detail.<br />
Luckily for her, someone did. O.O</div>
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Gabe. Need more be said?</div>
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Gabbi and her mother. Aren't her sleeves nice and poufy? ;) </div>
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The Dark Side of ECD</div>
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Lu and Gab. I was responisble for Gabbi's tunic-drape-thingy (I am so eloquent!). It's a curtain panel than was cut for use in a pelisse, but the pelisse was completed without it. It was the perfect shape already--all I did was hem and stitch the shoulder and add a sash. I would have preferred the sash to be higher, but I thought it still turned out well. </div>
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Scottish!<br />
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Shoe ribbons in disarray!<br />
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And I leave you with this photograph, which perfectly portrays our stately grandeur and dignity.<br />
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-76682451908319565232014-02-04T14:25:00.000-08:002014-02-04T14:25:12.421-08:00Frozen, part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A LERT</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">CONCERNING CERTAIN SPOILERS</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE AHeAD</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">AND WHICh MAY THREATEN THE NAIVETE </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">OF THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THE FILM</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS LERT</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">I'm growing rather fond of my little spoiler alert. Thanks, N.D. Wilson.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">All right! Now I've dealt with the conspiracy, it's time for my thoughts on the film itself. Because you're all dying to know, right? WHAT DOES CATIE SAY? AM I GOING TO BE JUSTIFIED IN MY OPINION OF THIS FILM UNTIL CATIE GIVES HERS? (I always wonder why we bloggers think our opinions matter so much. anyway) AHEM.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be warned. Philosophical </span>nonsense<span style="font-family: inherit;"> ahead. Slippery ground, folks (You're not laughing. Get it? slippery? ice? eh).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">I love the characters. I like the music. The animation is lovely. However, what impressed me most was the plot. It's not epic*, and it's not too sweet. I prefer my tea without sugar, thank you. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;">I was concerned for the message of the movie when said dear friend performed <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moSFlvxnbgk">'Let It Go"</a> during a nightlong sing/talk/giggle party. She did an excellent job, by the way.Whether or not I threatened to drop an Omnibus textbook on her toe during the chorus will remain unsaid. It was exam week, for goodness's sake!** The song seemed to express a rather modern notion of retreating into oneself to find peace, happiness, whatever, and 'letting go' of societal (and often moral) restraints. "No right, no wrong, no rules for me. I'm free!"</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"> If that was all the movie had to say, it was worth an eye-roll, and that was it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">BUT IT WASN'T. I was shocked. Flabbergasted. And rather pleased. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">In my Omnibus class, we have been discussing (actually it consists mostly of the illustrious Mr. Sumpter lecturing while I yawn and burn my tongue while guzzling Earl Grey--7 that's a.m. for ya) the concept of the 'true self' and the 'false self.' The false self is our twisted nature, and our self-image--what we want others to see. In a word, hypocrisy. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">I have heard multiple thoughts on hypocrisy, from multiple sources. Pascal is my favorite. Most people agree that hypocrisy is not recommendable, but often the only solution offered is 'to just be yourself.'</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Hold on a minute. Not only did you just split an infinitive, but <i>what if I don't like myself?</i> What if my self is messed up? In <a href="http://bighouseinthelittlewoodsblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/youre-not-amazing-just-way-you-are.html">this post</a> the author made a rather uncomfortable point--we're twisted. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Thus, 'the real me' isn't likely to be someone very nice.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><i>Frozen</i> illustrated this wonderfully. Elsa tries to conceal her power her whole life, trying to be a 'good girl' all by herself. She shuts everyone out, because, as C.S. Lewis so eloquently said, </span><br />
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“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” </h1>
<span style="color: #073763;">I immediately thought of this quote when I saw Elsa's frozen room in "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?" </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://conmanatthemovies.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/elsa-frozen-trailer-elsa-hiding-in-room1-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://conmanatthemovies.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/elsa-frozen-trailer-elsa-hiding-in-room1-1.png" height="273" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"> She trying to keep her family, and herself, safe by keeping away from everyone. "Conceal; don't feel. Put on a show." Until Coronation Day finds her minus one glove. oops. Or perhaps, might we say, minus one cup of coffee, or night of sleep, or ____ (insert anything used to make one sociable). </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEwbhmWrvVA/UuW-IUYpxMI/AAAAAAAACeE/A39HWdd6Lbc/s1600/frozen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEwbhmWrvVA/UuW-IUYpxMI/AAAAAAAACeE/A39HWdd6Lbc/s1600/frozen.png" height="305" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nod to the similarity between Frozen and S& S</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #073763;">In "Let It Go," Elsa is rejecting her false self, her avatar.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">"The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">couldn't keep it in; Heaven knows I've tried....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">I don't care what they're going to say!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Let the storm rage on; the cold never bothered me, anyway."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">There is triumph in finally letting go of one's image, and it's a valuable experience...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">"It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">and the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">In class, Mr. Sumpter presented to us the 3 Ps of Power, Possessions, and Prestige. People are slaves to them to preserve their self-image--Mr. Merdle in <i>Little Dorrit,</i> for example. Or Gollum. Or Fanny Dashwood. Or any politician you can think of. Unfortunately, rejecting one's facade isn't enough. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">"No right, no wrong, no rules for me--I'm free!"</span></div>
<span style="color: #073763;">is not a valid conclusion. Most movies, however, would have stopped there, frozen in an individualistic ice castle of independence.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Frozen didn't. "Let It Go" is only one stage of Elsa's progression. But before I spend too much time on stage 3, let's go to everyone's favourite royal redhead...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131218162908/the-mystery-case-files/images/8/8c/Anna_Frozen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131218162908/the-mystery-case-files/images/8/8c/Anna_Frozen.jpg" height="320" width="298" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"> ...because, in her own way, Anna is doing exactly what Elsa did. Because her sister won't love her, she seeks companionship in other places. Elsa retreats further into herself, and Anna looks further and further away for satisfaction--first to her dolls, no doubt, the the pictures on the walls (la! another rhyme!), and finally, Mr. Willoughby. I mean Hans. It's the difference between the introvert and the extrovert--they have opposite reactions to the same problem. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">"For the first time in forever I won't be alone. I can't wait to meet everyone!" </span></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"> ...needless to say, Anna's method didn't work out either. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Back to Elsa. She isolates (get it? Ice-o-lates? I think the song made that one already) herself in her castle, thinking she's 'alone and free.' She seeks freedom within herself. In Omni we've been discussing the difference between Christian, Trinitarian freedom and unitarian, 'loner god' freedom. In the latter case the freedom is individualistic--I'm free to do what I want. I am independent. Liberty, equality, fraternity. Long live the rights of man (and woman).</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;">In Trinitarian freedom, I'm free to serve others; I'm free because I'm dependent. I'm a slave to love. The Christian God, in three Persons, is able to love Himself selflessly. I know. My brain just exploded, too. Mop it up and let's continue. But first I need some carrots (behind you there). They're good for my brain--what's left of it, anyway. Good for noses as well.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763;">What amazed me so much in Frozen was, they seemed to get it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">"I'm such a fool! I can't be free</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">no escape from the storm inside of me!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">I can't control the curse!" </span></div>
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Elsa finds her true self after she abandons her scheme of independence. Turns out that her selfish letting go was not any more real than her good girl facade. Elsa learns to love, and <i>then</i> she's able to conquer 'the storm,' and use her power for good. </div>
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"'I don't even know what true love is.'</div>
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'I do. That's when you put someone else's needs before your own.'" </div>
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Anna learns that true love isn't necessarily romantic--it's a decision, and she finally stops fantasising about Prince Charming. The sisters learn to love each other, and Elsa is finally free, but in a completely different way. </div>
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Being so similar in personality to a character as I am to Elsa is more uncomfortable than anything else I can think of, apart from theater seats. It's been embarrassing to me to see how often I behave just like her without even realising it. What if, say, Elsa had the power of writing, or rhetoric, or ___(insert talent), instead of ice? Words can hurt worse than any old icicle, and they can create personal flurries for people as well. </div>
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Me: (while reading a criticism of my work) "Oh look! I've been impaled." </div>
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Power is dangerous. Repressed power is dangerous and highly explosive. Self-centered power is even more dangerous. Power, used for true love*, is glorious.</div>
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That's what I saw in Frozen. Perhaps I'm being philosophically nonsensical, as usual, but I enjoy being that way. And I daresay it's better than frowning at everything, or just giggling at everything. Don't you think? </div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">*Odyssey-epic here</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">**and don't you think a Martin Luther version of that song should be composed? "Here I stand" and all that</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">* agape, unconditional love--found perfectly only in God</span></div>
Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-9804559201264110482014-02-04T08:44:00.000-08:002014-02-04T08:44:48.722-08:00*Waits to see how long she can go without posting about Frozen**discovers that it's not very long*<br />
I think my first words after viewing this lovely film were "At last! A Disney movie with some CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!" It seems to me that every other Disney princess film I've seen (which may or may not be all of them--Tangled, I'll get to you someday) the princess was perfect to begin with, or if she wasn't, she stayed that way. While I do enjoy characters like that--Snow White, Cinderella, Jane Bennet, Fanny Price, Cosette, Lucie Manette, (aha! La, a rhyme!)...Barbie...I do love an Emma Woodhouse, who starts out <i>likeable</i> (Right, Laurel?) and changes for the better. Lest I keep rambling in long, dull paragraphs, I suppose it's time for a spoiler alert. I'm not sure I've done a spoiler alert before, so bear with me.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A LERT</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">CONCERNING CERTAIN SPOILERS</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE AHEAD</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">AND WHICh MAY THREATEN THE NAIVETE </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">OF THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THE FILM</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS LERT</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">First, the CONSPIRACY.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHqo4Vb4zfLU0eNXgIdxOOvHUcsVihpH9gvcIY3nMvVgoEUGaiM9lBkvsZRYwxKY1lgAF2VdQjay_V4PLDNtB_4HV_cIaz2Bfgn15pX4HW1Zx1TpMfO727PH2vyIDuFacwQvrKWk1WSo/s1600/IMG_9841%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHqo4Vb4zfLU0eNXgIdxOOvHUcsVihpH9gvcIY3nMvVgoEUGaiM9lBkvsZRYwxKY1lgAF2VdQjay_V4PLDNtB_4HV_cIaz2Bfgn15pX4HW1Zx1TpMfO727PH2vyIDuFacwQvrKWk1WSo/s1600/IMG_9841%255B1%255D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
This is my dear friend Gabbi. This is her blog: http://livingright4him.blogspot.com<br />
(not that she posts oftener than I do--we are so similar. We're taking a stand for the rights of people everywhere...who...don't post often.) She and her family like Disney. That is something we Dunlaps don't really understand. She knows that. She also has a very good sense of humor.<br />
WHICH IS WHY SHE SOLD US TO DISNEY.<br />
There. I said it. My best friend has been selling secret information about us to some fluffy kid's corporation that is trying to take over the world, and THEY MADE A MOVIE OUT OF IT. WITHOUT MENTIONING US.<br />
How shocking. Here's the proof.<br />
Myself (the oldest) with my little-sister-who's-taller-than-me. Jess is an exemplary extrovert, while I am a tiny bit on the introverted side (INTJ, to be precise). When we were younger I was often reprimanded for locking myself in my room for long periods of time (books can be hard on relationships). Jess has a much higher range than I do. She is a soprano, and I am...not a soprano.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LfkKfnUDrwM/Uuks0PmfYwI/AAAAAAAAHIQ/JMw2wqwPH-4/w830-h553-no/124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LfkKfnUDrwM/Uuks0PmfYwI/AAAAAAAAHIQ/JMw2wqwPH-4/w830-h553-no/124.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a> </div>
And the two new princesses. YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP.<br />
They even got Jess's nose right. Humph.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs5vBmtGNxejl_dJtMrEEiKq9FgoHT0qrwTAWW5-h6kfOCUHqslYkXS334SFWDe2-0-UGHGUWrzEy9XfeeVdSeK3I0nbc7vqcNYbgAfpVq3l6vKylMlUBdlaoZwP3Ub7eOXh1rhNSiIk/s1600/Frozen-Elsa-And-Anna-640x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs5vBmtGNxejl_dJtMrEEiKq9FgoHT0qrwTAWW5-h6kfOCUHqslYkXS334SFWDe2-0-UGHGUWrzEy9XfeeVdSeK3I0nbc7vqcNYbgAfpVq3l6vKylMlUBdlaoZwP3Ub7eOXh1rhNSiIk/s1600/Frozen-Elsa-And-Anna-640x400.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Evidence part 2: We live in the swamp. the swampy swamp. the swampy hot swamp. we long for some place that is cooler. GABBI KNOWS THIS. It was ironic to put the princesses in a place so...eh, Frozen. Very clever, indeed. Bravo. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Evidence part 3: The king and queen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, minor evidence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://static3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131214144751/disney/images/1/18/King_and_Queen_of_Arendelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131214144751/disney/images/1/18/King_and_Queen_of_Arendelle.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTpzwMF52EuAMT2s8t5b57VXE1mYNeC3tNoEaL19qnefghMVxEqZLBeQUlbPsSdkEFbqfRILrU8IzdeK0gt-7RWYC6L6Oh88szyVV34o1k8XzalHsJwUBksHSvTsReinrErHIBZ9-d1A/s1600/the+ball!+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTpzwMF52EuAMT2s8t5b57VXE1mYNeC3tNoEaL19qnefghMVxEqZLBeQUlbPsSdkEFbqfRILrU8IzdeK0gt-7RWYC6L6Oh88szyVV34o1k8XzalHsJwUBksHSvTsReinrErHIBZ9-d1A/s1600/the+ball!+114.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But I had to include a picture of Dad in his top hat somewhere. No, I don't think a mustache would enhance the effect. Mustaches rarely do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Evidence part 4: KRISTOFF is a BLOND GRAYSON. I'm not kidding.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.cartoonbrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Frozen-Kristoff-580x415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.cartoonbrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Frozen-Kristoff-580x415.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4SyB4ZjhtM-rmt8M8Nunac7Fr4tCPlMegn4Vwlv-hZQJsMOu3zw06HvK0UrYQrZG0fISv3ln6WPZrbjdCFzENBxajjPgaZ2HHpqcw1XgKUONCq0yXiyWTqCgetcbAUSec-UphyphenhyphenO1DU0/s1600/IMG_5755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4SyB4ZjhtM-rmt8M8Nunac7Fr4tCPlMegn4Vwlv-hZQJsMOu3zw06HvK0UrYQrZG0fISv3ln6WPZrbjdCFzENBxajjPgaZ2HHpqcw1XgKUONCq0yXiyWTqCgetcbAUSec-UphyphenhyphenO1DU0/s1600/IMG_5755.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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and as that was the only picture of Grayson I could find, you'll just have to take my word for it.</div>
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FREAKY. That is, it would be, if not for our conspiracy. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And they totally stole Hans from Austen. And the ice monster from Barbie Nutcracker. It is NOT NICE to THROW PEOPLE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gabbi, next time see if you can get Lu and Bren into the movie, dear. :) Lainey is tired of being Ariel. She says the water hurts her eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">ANYWAY, if you want some not-so-silly thoughts on the movie, tune in for my next post. Or align your URL to my next post. Pay attention to your feed for my next post. Whatever.</span></div>
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-13510653061701725242014-01-29T07:41:00.001-08:002014-01-29T07:41:44.358-08:00100 Years Fashion Cycle, part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A series of most amusing realisations led me to these posts. 'Twould seem that, once a century for the past three centuries, the same general shape keeps popping into clothing, often in the same decades. I am giving general dates in decades; the idea is to see how silhouettes have changed (or not), not to get precise historical information. For that, you need Pinterest. All photos were selected from Google; I have no idea who took them; thus I give credit by warning that I'm not going to give credit.</div>
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Without further ado,</div>
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The 1750s </div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyu_KrPeSD2v-xRaFI0YlWR75vLaja_vQmkCW0lx6tn8PIbxfM9kE3t4UjcU6QyvDbCApinkbiAcZkecMKyT6nrdoLTQF0ILiyTVmCLXoCOv-hxSOMOqLPfjXq-f-jull3uTd08ZwGpA/s1600/P1020589-w.jpg" /></div>
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The 1850s</div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/6e/d0/e6/6ed0e66324ed8dde6d5d1105eea121e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1860's Beautiful Red Dress" border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/6e/d0/e6/6ed0e66324ed8dde6d5d1105eea121e3.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyu_KrPeSD2v-xRaFI0YlWR75vLaja_vQmkCW0lx6tn8PIbxfM9kE3t4UjcU6QyvDbCApinkbiAcZkecMKyT6nrdoLTQF0ILiyTVmCLXoCOv-hxSOMOqLPfjXq-f-jull3uTd08ZwGpA/s1600/P1020589-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br /><br /><br />The 1950s<br /><a href="http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/collections/craftdesign/costume/1950sdresses/graphics/coral_dress_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A coral pink halterneck dress with a lace overlay" border="0" height="640" src="http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/collections/craftdesign/costume/1950sdresses/graphics/coral_dress_large.jpg" width="533" /></a></div>
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If I have time, I might investigate the poofy hair trend next time. Also, watch out for bustles!</div>
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-11238467172991182292014-01-22T11:18:00.000-08:002014-01-22T15:38:50.759-08:00Catie's Yummy Rice Stuff...or, I I prefer to pronounce it, risotto. I first made this with America's test kitchen recipe (the variation with chicken, of course). I made it twice with that recipe, come to think of it, both times successfully, and then I abandoned the book (I am too much like my mother to follow a recipe for long).<br />
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*INSERT BEAUTIFUL VINTAGEY HEART-WARMING IMAGE OF RISOTTO HERE* </div>
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I think it looks nice, don't you?</div>
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Anyway, enough with my aspiring (expiring?) photography skills. I made this at Christmas for the lot of us (a most delightful occasion), and had the pleasure of hearing it called all manner of names, which will not be repeated here (ricotta! chicken and rice soup, indeed!). Since I made more than usual, and apparently was in too great a hurry (Anthony Andrews was saving the Dauphin, people! How could I concentrate? That's what comes of having TSP playing during food prep) to measure my liquid or my cooking times adequately, the rice turned out a bit crunchy in the center. *I* didn't mind--I was happy in my knowledge that Percy and Margot were reunited--but it led to some conversation with a very wise person after lunch.</div>
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Wise one: That was good, but nothing beats a good old [American] chicken and rice soup.</div>
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Me (in a huff): Well. Italians have been eating risotto probably longer than America has been in existence.</div>
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Wise one: It should have stayed in Italy, then</div>
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Me: Italian immigrants brought it to America--</div>
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Wise one: You know why they came over here?</div>
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Me: Sure.</div>
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Wise one: I'll tell you. They were tired of eating risotto!</div>
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Ha. hahaha. Joking aside, here's the 'recipe.' If you want something more useful, go to this link http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/ALMOST-HANDS-FREE-RISOTTO-WITH-PARMESAN-AND-HERBS-AMERICAS-TEST-KITCHEN-50122790</div>
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CATIE'S YUMMY RICE STUFF </div>
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5 cups of chicken broth, diluted with water as needed (sometimes we use homemade broth, which is way stronger than store-bought)</div>
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2 cups of rice--they recommend Arborio; I find it a bit pricey, so we buy huge bags of sushi rice. Great stuff to have on hand.</div>
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1 onion, chopped. This is what gets the family interested.</div>
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1 garlic clove, squashed and maneuvered into acceptable texture. I have omitted this before, without disastrous results. If the onion didn't get everyone interested, this will.</div>
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1 cup white wine. Gasps and horror. I usually just use extra broth; my attempt with a bit of wine vinegar and broth went awry because Mom stores regular vinegar in the bottle, and I didn't both asking. That was interesting.</div>
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A nice bit of butter--to cook the onion in, and add towards the end.</div>
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A nice bit of chicken. I always skip the browning stage recommended in the book because those horrible frozen chicken tenders we buy don't brown well. at all. Often, if we have any leftover shredded organic chicken, I use that. You know how much you like.</div>
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Some rather nice herbs--chives, parsley--whatever. Basil is particularly lovely. I've used mint too; it was not quite so popular, but I liked it.</div>
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Lemon juice, if you like</div>
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Quite a bit of Parmesan. I cheat and use 'green cheese,' that is, the stuff in the canister. I have also cheated and used a bit of mozerella, monterey, cheddar, pepper jack, etc., on those occasions when I discovered that my shaking the container would not result in any more parm coming out of the container. I never measure cheese or herbs, as I'm sure you've noticed--eyeballing is a useful skill here, even if it sounds gruesome. The more dairy the better, folks. Generally speaking.</div>
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1. If you are using brownable chicken, get out your rather large pot/pan/bathtub and brown your chicken. This is where you will cook the whole darn thing, so be careful in thy selection.</div>
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2. While you are burning the chicken, get out a smaller saucepan and unceremoniously dump your brothy ingredients into said vessel. Season it with salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash, whatever. Bring it to a boil, fast.</div>
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3. Remove chicken and place into brothy substance. Cook until it is no longer objectionable. If you used stupid frozen tenderloins you probably already boiled your chicken in trying to brown it. Remove when it's done, but while you're waiting,</div>
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4. Haphazardly throw your onion into the browning--making that blackening--pot, and stir it. Or call stir-happy relative. Thanks, Lu.</div>
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5. Wildly 'measure' your rice out, if you haven't already (shame on you!) and remember that you forgot the garlic. Furiously mince garlic and add to pot with now-browned onion. This is where everyone says, "wow! that's smelling great! whatcha cooking?" and you growl.</div>
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6. after 30 seconds of garlic bliss, dump in rice and hand spoon over to stir-happy relative. Thanks, Lu. </div>
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7. After peering suspiciously at the cooking rice grains, to see if they're translucent, add your 'wine' (*wink wink*). Once the rice is done absorbing that, pour in your most of your brothy stuff. You did take the chicken out already, didn't you?! Set a nice loud timer for 16 minutes, pop on the lid, and don't forget to turn the stove to low. Trust me. Go watch Percy being wonderful, perhaps sending in stir-happy relative twice during the cooking time. </div>
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8. Get up and tell family to clear and set table. If you don't do this now, with adequate urgency of tone, your food will be cold before you eat it. ugh.</div>
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9. Add about a cup of broth and stir. The recipe says to stir gently; I don't see how that's possible with this thick stuff. Get a cement mixer on the job, and add your cheese. Cover and let it stand--or sit-- off the heat for 5 minutes or so. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO CHECK ON THE TABLE-SETTING PROCEEDINGS. </div>
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10. Stir in your herbs, lemon juice, and butter. If it seems too thick, add some more broth. Announce that dinner is ready, and you don't intend to eat cold food. </div>
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Bravo. You have made risotto (and I made a rhyme--aha!). </div>
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Notes:</div>
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This stuff reheats very well indeed, with a bit of butter, in the microwave.</div>
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We've had it without the chicken, with some nice steaks. Yum.</div>
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I've been told that it can be frozen and used as a base for *cough* soups. </div>
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-51219830666442360062013-10-15T12:55:00.000-07:002013-10-16T20:04:14.213-07:00Just a Note...There's a Christmas concert a-brewin' 'round here. Last year, as many of you know, we three sisters (sounds like a song title to me) and Gabbi donned red formals, practiced (though not nearly enough), and performed some songs for a selected audience at one of the most prestigious venues in the country.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TGZoQBoAQcpuHbJUfYsedkIkeyj_T2TvwCDfqFJuALxd_aG3enl7vxxeeHshWkkgysd9t9y5lhKrelwJmMxkGQAti7R8oSbryT2z7WdScmTuVyeG7UpZijiiWX72bj5Lu0ehM3OlpdAG/s1600/Mery+mismas+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TGZoQBoAQcpuHbJUfYsedkIkeyj_T2TvwCDfqFJuALxd_aG3enl7vxxeeHshWkkgysd9t9y5lhKrelwJmMxkGQAti7R8oSbryT2z7WdScmTuVyeG7UpZijiiWX72bj5Lu0ehM3OlpdAG/s640/Mery+mismas+027.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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This year, we're a bit more ambitious. Our lovely piano teacher has agreed to record some music for us, and there's been rumor of a violin player. Needless to say, I'm a bit excited--so of course, I did the logical thing and put it on the internet. As we all know, thanks to Blimeycow, posting something online makes it official. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" 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" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He looks festive, doesn't he?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's the current song list:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ding-Dong Merrily on High</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mary's Boy Child</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hark the Herald Angels Sing/ Joy to the World</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Believe (not the TSP version. sorry, folks.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Silent Night</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Home and the Heartland</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Lord's Prayer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Carol of the Bells</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day/Lord of the Dance/Gaudete!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Walking in the Air</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Prayer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A Blessing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wexford Carol</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Adeste Fideles</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
O Holy Night<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOHygLW7k6ERdIK8V-PNP_ixYxizjS7yd&feature=edit_ok">Here</a> is the link to my Youtube playlist for it--had a hard time finding the right version for some of them, as I'm sure you'll notice.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh, and this year we're adding two more things:<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One is a fancy-shmancy name--Vanyalin. (It looks better in a cool Elvish font)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and the second is Emery. Thus, the concert this year might look more like this: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cRSVxX-ditykCRNIuKTLQpJEPepd65emm1gJIZI2m4Hd-jzwPeG2lgORmtnj35cNWPR_r6YWrI6hxvf_X2hFwVshqnIiSvbIeq5HUG2bYY8JpaiRRxbC2h4tIGEH2w_GhdjC6-Lrxq0/s1600/emery+and+Vanyalin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cRSVxX-ditykCRNIuKTLQpJEPepd65emm1gJIZI2m4Hd-jzwPeG2lgORmtnj35cNWPR_r6YWrI6hxvf_X2hFwVshqnIiSvbIeq5HUG2bYY8JpaiRRxbC2h4tIGEH2w_GhdjC6-Lrxq0/s640/emery+and+Vanyalin.png" width="572" /></a></div>
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Whaddya think? :)</div>
Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-17829491062470481112013-09-26T08:29:00.000-07:002013-09-26T08:43:06.061-07:00This is Where You Yell in French, or, "Storybook"<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">Warning: the following post contains a serious amount of what I call philosophical silliness, which is trying to discern too much meaning from something the culture produces. I do this a lot--kind of like those medieval theologians who go crazy with analogies, only I'm not as smart. Also, the original context for this song is not nice (nice: refined, lovely). If you're fine with PotO, you're probably okay with this (okay as in your filter levels are adequate to handle this). If not, ask your parents. :D How's that for a disclaimer? All right. Onward, ho!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">Like "Vivez!" when I first heard this song, I liked it very much. I recall a dear friend, upon listening for the first time, sighing, "I know exactly how she feels!" She was joking, of course, but perhaps with a grain of truth. Those of us who read too many novels (especially about dashing Englishmen who are alter-ego heroes), tend to find ourselves "Flying, sighing, 'where, where, where is my storybook ending?'" (C'mon, you know you like that line, even if you hate the rest of the song). In other words, we sometimes find ourselves falling prey to escapism, that is, desperately wishing we lived in another time, another world, or just another place. This is hardly healthy--and I think that this is what this song is about. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">Unfortunately, my initial positive impression of this song was marred when I read the plot of the musical--in this scene, Marguerite has tossed aside her trust in the Scarlet Pimpernel (this seems to run in the family!) and gone to Paris to try to save Armand. She sings this song in a not-so-nice venue, dressed as a not-so-nice 'lady' (thinking Les Mis song title kind of 'lady,' here), trying to get information from a bunch of soldiers about her brother.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">I know, I know. Ridiculous. This scene renders Marguerite as unlikeable as Armand-from-the-movie. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">Once I realised this, I started subconsciously redefining 'love' as it would be taken under the context (hardly Platonic, shall we say), and that kind of ruined the song. I tell you, English needs about ten more words than it has for 'love.' And French is even worse!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">However, I recently discovered that in the new versions of the show, this is one of the first numbers--Marguerite St. Just is singing it onstage in her play. Now, I'm not saying that all plays are lovely--see the scene above--but somehow the oh-so-elegant white poofy gowns (they must be white and poofy!) and the pretty set--the completely different context--seem to imply a different meaning to the word love.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="302" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSpe7ULc5CE5Ar30jdQQLSnJr8rQ4Ej1QEkcsduBlSc_WhNUDGo" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">of course, I imagined something a bit more like this...<br /><img src="http://pimpernelobsessed.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/storybook.jpg" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
than that ^</div>
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;"> Of course, this might apply: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It is wonderful how Virtue turns from dirty stockings; and how Vice, married to ribbons and a little gay attire, changes her name, as wedded ladies do, and becomes Romance." ---From Charles Dickens' Preface to Oliver Twist, printed in 1841</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">...</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but I don't think it does, here. Context is important. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Thus, </span><i style="line-height: 18px;">if</i><span style="line-height: 18px;"> the singer is acting inappropriately, the song is interpreted differently. On the other hand, if the singer is just (just, St. Just, get it? ouch) trying to bring herself back into the real world, then I think it's fine. Some of the lines are still a bit uncomfortable, though.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; line-height: 18px;">On the fourth hand (I'm starting to look like some Asian 'deity' with all these arms), I showed these lyrics to my mother and asked her what she thought they meant. Her answer was a grimace and, "Nothing. They're just nonsense. But I bet it has a pretty tune, and that's why it's in there." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; line-height: 18px;">She's right--the tune is very pretty, indeed. I like the music on the earlier version best, but the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=iD_PjSfXwPY">new one with the harp is pretty,</a> if it's not too slow. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Listen to me, I have beautiful dreams I can spin you,</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Dreams to linger within you</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Close your eyes and we'll ride my carousel</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">(I love how she introduces it--makes it almost like a frame narrative)<br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: magenta;">I'll sing you stories of lovers whose love used to fill me</span></span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(or, she's going to tell us about her favorite literary couples)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: magenta;">For the lovers who will be</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: magenta;">For, you see, love is one thing I do well</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;">(I don't know what exactly this is supposed to mean, so I usually change it to 'one thing I know well," which reminds me of Don Quixote reading all those romances and then going crazy)</span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Come, let's believe love can be just as sweet as it seems</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Let's live on dreams!</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">In my dreams, such beautiful lovers have found me</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Storybook lovers surround me</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Nothing is real, but I'm flying, sighing</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Where, where, where is my storybook ending?</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Why does my golden pretending</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Leave me with nothing to hold but my dreams? </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">(this is probably my favourite verse--sort of a, "You mean Mr. Darcy isn't real?! What?!" moment--only it's not fair because she's married to Sir Percy...)<br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Oh, is it only in dreams that we find our ideal love?</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Are there lovers with real love?</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">If you know how to feel love, show me how</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Ah, but my prince, if you can't be as sweet as you seem</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">I'd rather dream</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" />(this last line is, I think, the funniest)<br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Come and wake me!</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Come be the love I can hold now</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Storybook love leaves me cold now</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Show me the way to stop dreaming</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">There is only one perfect storybook ending</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">That is the end of pretending</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">That is the moment I say, love me now! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">(this verse shows her wanting to escape her escapism, which is admirable. I just wish it were a bit more general than just romantic love)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><span style="font-size: large;">And this is where you yell in French...</span><br /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Et sur mon manege, l'amour toujours est chantant</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">De mes reves, c'est le commencement</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Et j'espere une fin heureuse</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Mais la fin de l'histoire ne vient pas tres doucement</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Pour l'histoire, il faut faire semblant</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Certes je n'embrasse que mes reves</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Seuls mes reves!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">(If you, like me, can't pronounce the words, just think of all the French words you do know, and arrange them to fit the meter. Then, yell them loudly with a French accent. An attempt might look something like this:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">Bonjour, um, la chat, um, une deux trois...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">Les poissons, au revoir la la la</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">um, les miserables, Enjolras, Gavroche...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">um, Thenadier </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">sounds French</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">, um, une deux trois again, </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">Chauvelin is...evil..umm...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">les poissons...les poissons...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">...you get the idea)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Overall, I can't help liking this song. Unfortunately, it is yet another thing that I have to like with a disclaimer (I have a very extensive list of those). I don't think it's worse than "Music of the Night," when interpreted at its worst, and it's probably better philosophically than "Vivez!" </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Plus, it's fun to yell in French. </span></div>
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-65584330011797679242013-09-25T11:03:00.001-07:002013-09-25T11:04:20.145-07:00The Scarlet Pimpernel: The Story & the Songs, or the Really Really Long Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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~DISCLAIMER: until about a year ago I was under the delusion that all musicals were lovely, innocent, lighthearted, and generally child-friendly. Then I met Les Mis.If you have been in this happy, blissful state, I hate to break it to you, but most musicals are just like movies--some are happy, lovely stories, and others are dark, creepy, violent, or just inappropriate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://miss-dashwood.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Yet Another Period Drama Blog" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdTQvqqGyvU6QpXtU1YE6Owhbd4rdRajBPs9-5YyG3Jcg7N4DymbJP9fNWcviBlQbvz5Ul-MVD8lHdYNJ4ZB5rHOwRoDucm2U4gnarFrDawf8Q-8n_f_gpioqwuinulukNCvpH6lY8cc/s1600/musicals7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Eponine adds, "You got that right."</td></tr>
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Most fall somewhere in the middle, and TSP is one of these. I have never seen the entire musical, but I understand that there might be one or two scenes that are not Mary Poppinsish, that is to say, nice, in addition to a few words here and there that would have earned Bert a smack from the practically perfect nanny's umbrella. END OF DISCLAIMER~<br />
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All right. Now that the warnings are over, I think a brief plot summary is in order (based on the songs, on which my personal opinions will be following). I will mostly be working from the OBC album, with occasional references to the later versions. <a href="http://pimpernelobsessed.wordpress.com/theatrical-adaptations/the-scarlet-pimpernel-the-new-musical-adventure/the-scarlet-pimpernel-the-new-musical-adventure/">Here</a> is someone else's much better synopsis that I am using because I am lazy.<br />
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Act I:<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Overture: </span>Time for everyone to sit down and get excited. Luckily, rather short and epic*.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Madame Guillotine:</span> The (French) people are singing the song of angry men while they cut off aristos' heads. The Marquis de St. Cyr is not thrilled about this.**This number is very..effective. For some reason, everyone loves it--including myself--even though it's about, um, decapitation. As I said, it gets the point across.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DA...da da da da da...He's there, the phantom of the...guillotine...Wait, wrong musical.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple;">Believe</span>: Not <i>the</i> dumbest song on earth. It's so beautiful to listen to. I think I would like it better if it were in another language, so I wouldn't understand the (rather ridiculous) words. I mean, seriously, <i>As waves </i>lean<i> on the sea/ My love, come lean on me?? </i>I went to the beach last week and didn't see any waves leaning on the sea--and I looked very carefully. Crashing, yes, leaning, no. Well, the music's pretty!<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Vivez!</span>: I love the tune of this song. The words are very...ah, Romantic and French. Not happy-starry-eyed-sigh romantic, but like, well, the Romantics.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Prayer</span>: It took me forever to listen to this song. It's hardly fast-paced. I think it works well in the setting, but *ahem* there's that little issue with the plot.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Into the Fire</span>: Also know as The Percy Awesomeness Song. The best of the bunch.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Falcon in the Dive</span>: this is my favourite of Chauvelin's (two)songs--except for <i>That Word. </i>I wouldn't put it past him, but was that really necessary? This song makes Chauvelin seem like Javert, only meaner. Apart from the fact that the whole falcon simile is cool, I like the tongue-twisters in the beginning and in the last verse...<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">When I Look at You</span>: All right. I know it's sappy, but I love this song (apart from the warbling). It has pretty words, and expresses Marguerite's position pretty well.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">The Scarlet Pimpernel:</span> Oh dear. When I first heard this song, I couldn't make out half the lyrics, and thought it sounded funny. I made the mistake of listening too closely. Four letters--D-U-M-B.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Where's the Girl?</span>: I call it the "Music of the Night Wannabe." 'Nuf said. Fun fact: the beginning of the line <i>and I know she remembers how fearless she feels... </i>sounds just like <i>and I know if I'll only be true to this glorious quest...</i> from "The Impossible Dream." Have fun throwing M. Chambertin's romantic attempt awry by loudly changing songs at this point.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">When I Look at You (Reprise):</span> This song is titled "The Saddest Song Ever." I enjoyed letting forth pathetic-sounding romantic sobs during this song, until I discovered that if one stretches the old vocal cords one can sing along an octave higher, making it a duet!<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">The Creation of Man</span>: This song is hilarious. <i>If you're out to make a splash, cheri, do know your haberdashery! </i>Brilliant! The words are ridiculous, but they're supposed to be. I call it "The Dandy Song" Although later versions have That Coat in them...but we don't talk about those.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">The Riddle</span>: Reminiscent of "The Waltz of Treachery." Like Madame Guillotine, very effective. Am I the only one who thinks of Christine Daae on <i>feel the terror draw ever nearer/the more you stare in the mirror</i> ?<br />
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Act II<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">They Seek Him Here</span>: I'm glad to have a tune for The Poem. The other verses, I could do without (and is it just me or is future George IV too intelligent in the musical, making up all those rhymes? whatever happened to, "as it were crystal clear...my dear"?).<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Only Love</span>: I hate to say it, but I very firmly feel this song is not an asset to the musical. But I'd like to say a word on its behalf--"Only Love" makes me laugh. Not really. But between the weird melody and the, um, lyrics, I was glad to hear that this song was cut from the show. Sorry, Lainey. That doesn't keep me from warbling it in the shower, though.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">She Was There</span>: This is another song that took me a while to listen to all the way through. I'm glad I did, though, because it's really sweet.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Storybook</span>: I have mixed feelings about this song. I'll probably do a post on it later this week.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Where's the Girl Reprise: </span>Aka, "I See your True Colors Shining Through/and That's Why I Hate You so Now I'm Gonna Get You Executed...and Your Little Brother, Too." I believe that title may be longer than the actual song...<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Lullabye</span>: short, sad and sweet.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">You Are My Home</span>: Oh boy. First off, I can't stand Armand, so having him played by whoever that nasally guy was did not help. Second, there is no scene with Margot and Armand in prison inside that little paper thing over there that they call the book. The lyrics are not the most profound in the world. I do like, <i>I will not walk away from you/I will not let you go... </i>because I always yell to the singer (most often Lainey), "Sing like an ANGRY Frenchwoman!" I'm very easily amused.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Believe Reprise:</span> Cute. More leaning waves. I imagine Percy and Margot passed out after holding that ridiculously long note. <i>I doooooooooooo beliiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeve iiiiiinnnn yooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooouuuuu.... </i>you get the point.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Into the Fire Reprise</span>: Since the lead couple has passed out, the League and the Leaguettes lead us in a lovely reprise of the Percy Awesomeness Song. Percy recovers enough breath at the last second to sing:<br />
<i>Into Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeee...</i><br />
<img height="246" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSEs-SHiApOacDujhyfDBr128K1oJhp1Mzi6NMPXe6jBq_Gxqda" width="400" /><br />
...and all the Leaguettes smile and sing <i>Onward, ho!</i> before sighing happily and trying to revive poor Douglas Sills, who has fainted again. "What did 'e die of? Shortage o' bref?"<br />
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Overall a lovely listening experience.<br />
And, by the way, which do you think is the better Percy?<br />
This...<br />
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or this...<br />
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<img height="420" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ90gOLIJCjyrgHlbqdWyS6VC97bq2QtN53eWOCXIHo9tIbW7r9" width="640" /></div>
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Calm down, calm down. I'm just joking.</div>
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*see my earlier definition of this word. This week I shall use this word quite a bit, to mean rousing, exciting, or even just loud. Odysseus-like, not so much.<br />
**I will also use quite a bit of litote and understatement this week. You have been warned.Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-2658796322394886282013-09-23T14:46:00.000-07:002013-09-24T08:54:31.649-07:00Celebrate Musicals Week: Tag<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><br />
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I'm not sure how well I'll do on posting, as I'm pretty busy, but here goes nothin'.</span></center>
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<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><img alt="Yet Another Period Drama Blog" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5Vph6VhzRkgOumtjPu63Wl6sFetKSRH5rFQWM7pibWhCyHZf-bb6qD9t4GCFI0tZ8hPsA9H6FDhaZYRwWAwCaxrBDFMzFqNtzSQli8jfDoiCsyNhBmGleHkefE9SKVxg8DDBgvyfF4o/s1600/musicals8.jpg" /></span></center>
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<a href="http://miss-dashwood.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">Yet Another Period Drama Blog</a></center>
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<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">1. What musical did you pick to "spotlight" this week and why?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; line-height: 18px;">I finally, after running through the numerous (5) musicals that I am well acquainted with, I decided...that is, I have almost made up my mind...to do </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">The Scarlet Pimpernel</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">...mainly because Jess already took </span><i style="line-height: 18px;">Oliver!</i><span style="line-height: 18px;"> and everyone is doing Les Mis. And I hardly know anything about Mary Poppins (as far as the play/songs/other casts go--on the movie I am quite the established authority). I just recently discovered this musical, and am quite ready to dissect it--and here was a chance to do so where others might get something out of it (?). </span></span><br />
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6PqUInjku2VCEkR2jUeJsVmHlTOBu9D6daAje2Pa7s/qTrczR3azhQGWLYu8Dorlgy8c8jBx69Kq2id4v6vqsd4LdEijXwlhj42xcgAMficZyWPxHPTPFp7Jdg9DvbqSzWa6eZFZjIpRYmKnDCMFCcD/AFutQzd0TnW209JMxgCUykciL3I6bs8fvoCwd4HeVo90Y547U3N0qFV8YEQrnp4qZxJjJIHT51T+59s65Zn3Z/7t6uGqdgbKC9WyTTbuePKI92skgYM+Mso2eEVXIJOPfng1p9nexb6X2otIC29CXeN8Yypjk6+m4YwcfzoDb/SU/wDN2n+6f/qpT9JT/wA3af7p/wDqpQHMtV11pPKmVT95+vsPlUda3JjcMvUfv+VYq9wws7BVGSegrFJJWNuriq+IrKpJtyvl05WLbc28d1ECDzjKn1B9vzrRttLigXfMQW9B1H2HqakdM05YVx1Y9T/IfKsF9oKyktuYMfUnI/yrXUrZXyLvWws6kY4jwoutbS+Xfq/u+hHXvaVjxGNo9z1+3tUPLOznLEk/OpCbs9MDgLuHuCP5msF3ZCPCfFIeoHQfL5mp47q0KpjPx1W8sRdJc8l2XB+hp1tWumSyfCpI9+g/fW7Z9n5SysyjbkZBPOPWrQBjgVjOpbQ3dm7DlXvKveK5aN/qU270eWMZZePcHIqY0Gx8JGlfgkcZ9F6kmpsioTtHqG1fDHVuvyHt96w33PynUls3D7Nbxd27LJPn9/uQF3ceI7N7nP5furDSlbBSZyc5OUtWKtegacEjDEeZufoPQVVV6jNXyFgVBHTAxUNV5WLN8OUITrSqS1ilb14mtdXyjjL5/wBVCf3lcVB37MQTmb/iwB9+lWaQHBwdvz9vxquX+xs43zEdWY4QfhisIHV2vGe55pa6cPq2/wC0lOz4H6uv1bP4n+WK3bi3V1KsMg1XdB1QR5R+FY5B9Aen4VZgaxmmpG7sutSxGDjBZ2STXpb3KdqULQyhdxO0AoT7f5/wrzqF20jLuwSBjIBG4fQ/etzWl8WV2GAsa4JPqeuB88mtSKN5cOQWVAFO3G4AdOOvzzU60TZTsTCUatSjTvut5LXJP5Ln07knpaRA8QyE/tMM/hU8rZGen1rT06RmT4w49GHDfRgfUVC62J0OGcsh6HgfY4qG29KxZ411s/Cqoo7y6KKt3s/fM9do9RDERryF5J+ftUJSlbMVZWKTi8VPFVnVnx9uhnsbGSeRY4kaSRuFVRlj68D6Cv0x2806WTs21uiF5xFbL4a4L5R4iwwPYKT9q/MkFwyMGRirDoVJBGeOCOelfUu3D7w7B+u4Md2ffPWvTVPMsRVirAhgcEHggj0NZ9N0yW4kWKGNpJG+FUGWOOTx9K15JCxJYkk8kk5JPuTWS1u5ImDxu0bDoyMVYZ4OCOaA/SXfhp0s+kKkKNIySo7hBkqqo+5iB0AzWp+j3aPDp8plUxiSXehbjcpRMMueor8+Jqs4LESyAv8AGQ7Zb/a55+9eJL6RgoaRyFxtBYkLjptGeMfKgOwd1uh3EPaG4eWJ0UCYlmGAN7ZTJ+Y5FZu8nRJ5O0lnKkTvGWt8Ooyp8N9z8j9leTXHJNUmYENLIQ3xAuxB+vPNfI9TmUACWQBfhw7DGRg45444oDv36Q9jJNZQNEpkWJ2eQryEXbjc2OgrN3naDLeaFYxQ7TJugZUZ1UviBwVTcQC2CWxnorfSvzyt7IAwDuA/xAMcNnru55+9d4760I7PWHBBWS3z7jEEg59uaA3ewSjs/oskl6wikkdpBESpcsVCpGoB5YhQcenOcYOPndH2tt77TpLJ3EU48QFc7SVkJIeM55xnBxyCPTIr89XF3JIQXdnI4BZicD2Gaxo5BBBII5BHUEeooDpl13f6lays17eNBaRkkz/rGS4HRYow5cu3oCPf73X9Hi2aO3undWVJJEMbScbwA3Iz16jkVwO5vZJMGR3fHTcxbH0yaPeyMqqXcqvwgsSFx+yM8fagJbtvYSRahdeJG6bp5mXcpG5S7YZcjkH3Fdz/AEfbN4NNk8VTH4k5kTfxuUxxgMueo4P4V+d7q/llx4kjybRhd7FsD2GTwK+S38rBQ0jsFxtBYkLjptyePtQHWu5zQ7iHXJ2lidFjWRXLDAUvhlBPuVORVr1XXxp3aQz3A2WtzCsAmI8gcEN8Q6AHGfbIJ4r89tqMpDAyOQ3xAs2GwMDdzzxxzXiS6dlClmKr8KkkgfQdBQHde9TsHqNxdfrWnytJHKo3otwECkDG4bnVdpAHT1+tV7sPozLrtoFne8NuCbmUEvDGzo42I56rnjPQmuXLqEoTYJHCfshm289eM4rzb3skYIR2QN8W1iM46ZweetAdm/SN06V5LedELQpGVdxyqln4BPoTSuMC7fZs3tsPO3cdvv06V9oDyLdi+wAls4x8+lWOztEtIy8h85/72rWxe3cVuS2PO/PHU446+gqsXt80rbmP0HoPpUOc+xZZQobJk3ffq8Fwj1fW33xPeoak0zZPAHQe3+NerXV5Y+jZHseRWlSpd1WscP8AF1vEdXfe8+NyZl7TyFcBQp9+v4CnZ2UmU5QsT/b9v860dM08zPt6Acsfl+dXG3t1RQqjAFQzcYqyLLsuli8dVjiK0/LHTTPstPXUyUpSoC5CqZrMgM7ke+Pwq0anfCKMn16KPnVLZsnJ6mp6S4lQ+JMTG0KC11fyR8pSlTlONq00ySUEoMgcdQP41J2zS24HiOFHonDMfpjp9c1raVrXgrt25BOc55/74rSnuy8m89c5/wAKjabdnodmlVw2GpQqUpPxeObSX6JN9r2LrIqsvmGRjJHX/Ooq7gLLlx4cK9EX4m9s4/hW/Y6ikqgqefUeorO8IJBIzjp8vn9a1091l3q0oYumpQaaa9H34tL/AM5dSvPpLuNzLhm8qIOir7n6CvElpLCWCOwVdg+R3e33qV1PWFi8oILn93zNbk9uHUA+6sfsc1nvvicp7Nw85SjRk9+OrvbVPl1zfJJIqZsz5t2TtcBvv61u2unvHK2w+dcMAejqalorDJmDDh2yPsAQfx/hW20Ayreq+vyPofl+VeuoYYfYqTU9Gnro9ZL5Wa6mC1iVj4igqx4YdOfZh7/OtftEB4B+ox+P5VIiQdciq12g1MOQinIHJPuflWME3I3dpVaWHwU4tq8k13b4292Q1KUraPnQpSlAK+qpJwOSa+VJdnLyKG7hkmDGNHDnZjd5eQRnjg4PPtQEladgbqSYQeRJiCzIxbyKvLNIyqUQAEEgnIyMjJAqP7Rdn5LKYRSFWJRJAyElGVxuVlJAOCD6gVfj3j2hhnjQywSzyLNJPDGPN/WBmjCu7ELjJ64LegHlOLVu8fTzIZo7FJpZpWklFwinYqx+FGkTebGSBKeMZ4HFAcypXS17U6GWUNZkx7lYDwwHRUjOA7h98rPKcsS2MDGOK1f6VaWxj3WqZS3cgiCNVa7bB3SKpG+IHIC5wABkH0Armm6ddW9sNRjkEKiXwYzk+I7EZbwxtIKgdWJA9OvFZ5O8nVGBDXkxDdQWyOePUVbbjt5pbokLws8EbRxovgxAiEKGlZQDtWaSX4nUDy8LtPNYrftNpdwTEtmvjO4ELpbwjzTSANGI8hcJFhYy+4bslgetAcyrbsdNaVZmDKBDH4rbjjI3pHheOW3SDjj1rrltHppl1B5raJEtpdr4hQRrHESEto/T9YeQYZhuLAMQwBAFR0LtPpyTXM09ud0gkCRiONoACQ6AR8AYZQuOQFA9eaAo1S2k9mLi5RnjTyhlQE8b5HztijHVmO1jxwApJIHNe4zZSJIX8SKTxFKhFBQx7W3KORtctt+QFXXS+8q2trSKOFWV4o5CuU3f18gCq+dw4jTIB6kn0HUDn2q6YbeQxs6M6kq4QsdrDqpJUKTnjykjg1r29q8hIRGcgFiFBJAHUnHoPeugXvajRm4FoSN6uvkAZFRSAkjh98pdyS7E8jAA4Br1e9u7JEuxaRGFppFjUpEiE2qgsU8pwrtIcMcHKKB15oDnFK+u2STjHyHQfIZr5QClKUApSlAWjtPb5iDeqn9x4/jiqvV31OPdC4H7JqkVFSeRY/iKioYpTX/Ze6y+VhSlKlK4SGmauYAQFByR6+1bc/ahyMKoU+/WoSlYuCbudCntPFUqXhQnaPp/Ja7XVx5Uz4jYy7cBR70vO0UacL5z8un3P5VVc18rDwlc6H+oMSqe7G1+etl96t3Ni8vWlbcx+g9B8hWvSlS6HCnOVSTlJ3b4ilKUMBSlKA+qxHQ4rL+uyYxvbH+0aw0oZxnKP5XY+k1YNJ7QAKEkzxwG/P8AOq9SsZRUlmbODxtXCVN+m+64MvkdyjDIYEfIiobW9YA2rGckEEkdOPTNVylYKkk7nXxXxBVrUvDjHdb1d/lyJy/0lnAki+FxuK5xjPtUHUuO0bCPYFA42gj04x0qIrKF+Jz9ozw05RnQbu15uV+nv0FKUrM5gpSlAKt3YzRInBaZN0s2Fs1dXaKRg4E2RHltyofLuwuTkniqjW5b6vPGu1JpEXnAV2A564APr60B1a87EzMqQ2j2viCQRzTmNEDykFjDbiOIjbEgy74GeeeCorh7q3K28Kyhr2ctJtz/AFCQLkCV2xuG7aWBxyvpVOg125jCBJ5kEe4R7ZHGwP8AEEwfLnJzjrmvS9oLodLib/R+D/pH/wBHx/VDn4OB5enFAXLT+7B4ykkvhXcTqqxrbykNJJMG8NIyU5Ybd7A7QFBJNaUXdRdMoYTW2zMoZt8m1VgyJZGPh/Arjw8jOWIxkc1i0LtRBb2kKLJcwTJP40jRHcrDGF8NTIEV8cEsp498YrU7T9u7i7uGdHeCLZ4EcaOVAi4JRtuN24gM2epA9hQE5p3dfLE4a4RZlIVBDHI6zGaZSY4xlMb1XEjKSAqZJI6Vgn7pb2LDiW3KqZCZFkcKiw8vMWKDyK3lyMnd0FVr+lV7kn9buMk7ifGkyTjbuPm67eM+3FWrTe3tvbm2dP1g+DbGF4WOUkkbDPlmkbbCzgNtVQfLQEd2q0bUQ8MU8xuHmCyLGpkLBpBld6ui/wBYVOT1IB5xmvPYbsitzc//ANOY4Ig8kuTtJWLlxn0UfCT6Fh9oTUO0NxPctcvK/jFy4cMwKknPkOcqB0AHQAV8HaG53FvHk3NgMdx5AOQD8s846ZwaA6TrnYcvGq2kcCyMyeKXRc+LMMx2cKhW2skXnckDA8zMcE1U9Q7s7qGPfvhcNJ4MYVn3StkKPDDIMg53AnGVBYZGCYRe014DkXU4O7xOJpPjxt3/ABfFjjPXFeH1+6YKDcTEIwkUGVyFdcAOvPDDAwRzxQFw17u0aMQxoYUn2PkGZmNxIjBSIB4YwQTtwccq3JAydQ91F5lVDwF2m/VwgZy3iKMyc7NpWPo7A4BG3Jbiq3P2iu3AD3M7BW3qGlc4bO7cMng7uc+/Nem7S3ZZWNzOWVi6sZZNwZshmB3ZDHJyfXNATXeDHEkkMVvCEt4o9kc2wK1yV4e4LAeYFgdp54wfWqnWzd6lNKFEsskgQEIHdmCgnJC5PAJ54rWoBSlKAUpSgL5c/A3+yf4VQ6UqCjxLb8Tfnpdn9BSlKnKkKUpQClKUApSlAKUpQClKUApSlAKUpQClKUApSlAKUpQClKUApSlAKUpQClKUApSlAKUpQClKUApSlAKUpQClKUApSlAf/9k=" 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<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">2. How did you discover the musical you picked (hereinafter referred to as "your musical")?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I read the book. And watched the one and only TSP '82.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">And saw there was a musical. Keeping in mind that Mom</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> can't stand Phantom and was tired of Les Mis, I thought it was time for some variety. Actually, I think it was the </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vrqCAO4BYe8" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Song of Percy's Awesomeness</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> that did it.</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">3. If you had to pick three favorite songs from your musical, which ones would they be?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">oooh, the hard one.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> "Into the Fire" is certainly my favourite (nice British u there) .</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> "When I Look at You" ties with "The Riddle" for second place, and</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">"She Was There," and "Storybook" compete for third. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">"Madame Guillotine" is, shall we say, effective.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">4. What's your least favorite song from your musical?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Probably, oddly enough, "The Scarlet Pimpernel" for its general stupidity, but "Where's the Girl?" isn't lovely, either. I hate the portrayal of vice as being attractive and 'wordly,' but more on that later. Probably <i>quite</i> a bit more on that. "You are My Home," isn't the most intellectual song out there, either.</span><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">5. Who are your favorite characters (choose up to three)?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Well, Percy, Percy, and Percy, right? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Oh. three different characters. Percy, Marguerite, and, um, not Chauvelin. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Third try: Percy, Marguerite, and the Scarlet Pimpernel. There we go.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">6. Which versions of your musical have you seen/listened to, and which is your favorite?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; line-height: 18px;">I have never seen the entire musical, any version. I own the original Broadway cast recording; this is what I listen to. I've heard Rachel York's "Storybook" and the 'other Chauvelin's' "Falcon in the Dive." Of all the professional recordings I think the original Broadway cast's is my favourite; the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=MnUZoREtKgk">VHS performance</a>, or the snippets on Youtube, anyway, look great. Chauvelin is AMAZING. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Dij3Bj3Yqmg">This performance</a> looks great (especially Marguerite) but I can't take the bad audio for more than a few minutes at a time. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">7. Is this your favorite musical of all time? If not, what is?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">No--I love Les Mis. And Bach's <i>St. Matthew Passion</i> is kind of like a musical, isn't it?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">8. Which cast album/musical soundtrack in your collection do you listen to the most?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; line-height: 18px;">I listen to my siblings and friends hum it--our own special edition. Apart from that, the Original Broadway cast recording. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">9. What is your favorite costume from your musical?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Oh, the costumes. I haven't seen many costumes from the musical itself, but I love, love, love Georgian costumes--even though, technically they should be early Regency costumes. And I hate, hate, hate Percy's Tiger-stripe tailcoat. The end.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToQ9d52DeZ7rzg6hVhHWeneMGnH5oQ9VT08N0BonF3aR9jCvVPf4CKpap4tzULWZOMDu32jSmgPF-s_Aba9KmPu4_N_3C6OhPwLob_CYd7hIahvBx-IFd3JzDlg16HwyuA-gzD_CPtcU/s1600/thatcoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #d0e0e3; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToQ9d52DeZ7rzg6hVhHWeneMGnH5oQ9VT08N0BonF3aR9jCvVPf4CKpap4tzULWZOMDu32jSmgPF-s_Aba9KmPu4_N_3C6OhPwLob_CYd7hIahvBx-IFd3JzDlg16HwyuA-gzD_CPtcU/s400/thatcoat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-size: small;">I hate this coat.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><img height="266" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTw0Y9gSG_uwJ2HJa8cyXnwD_edrrCpvkvBbQ8XiwMzly58N5BbpQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-size: small;">Ugh. there's That Coat again.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">10. If you could change anything about your musical, what would you change?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">(I am speaking of the storyline described in the album I own, not the newer version of the show)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; line-height: 18px;">That ridiculous Coat from "the Creation of Man." Come to think of it, I would cut/rearrange several songs, change the plot to be more like the book, and rewrite the entire script. Oh wait. I did (more on that later). </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">11. Which role(s) would you most like to play in </span><u style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">any</u><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> musical, if you had the opportunity to do so on stage?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">oh boy. Eponine, obviously. I like what Miss Dashwood says, "</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Her songs are all within a comfortable mezzo range (no struggling with super-high notes), she has one of the best solos in the history of theatre...she gets to die onstage and sing a heartbreaking duet while doing so, and she doesn't have to kiss anybody. Wins all around."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Marguerite would be fun (obviously), depending on the version of the play (again, no super-high notes, if "Only Love" were cut(yes, Jessie, that does count as a high note). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Unfortunately, in our impromptu plays I always wind up playing Sir Percy. And Jean Valjean. Oh well.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #434343; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrMBuOuSYML2zcYXm9wEKsInWjp6l5-o7c47760Gu4hcWxbOnOHW2NDCM5X0_w0dXJNHwHy1Ba6-NdONixhEPE8FV7Nu6X2L_QOTsJqQRH2tFONSSXNtFoofbtrGC8D6qK190UY2UmDk/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrMBuOuSYML2zcYXm9wEKsInWjp6l5-o7c47760Gu4hcWxbOnOHW2NDCM5X0_w0dXJNHwHy1Ba6-NdONixhEPE8FV7Nu6X2L_QOTsJqQRH2tFONSSXNtFoofbtrGC8D6qK190UY2UmDk/s400/photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me starring as Jean Valjean in a stirring rendition of "One Day More," although now it looks more like "Masquerade"</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #434343;">12. If you could choose one performer to play any part in your musical, who would you choose and which part would you have him/her play?</span><span style="color: #990000;"> hmm. I love Marguerite from the Album I Own, but she's kind of warbley. I'm trying to think of someone who would be a great Marguerite but can't think of anyone <i>professional</i>. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK5Lcv_-0wChKzhNx7eyl3V0_f7wSCEVv5mKEdxfzWa_f9m8zE2ZhLpZ-H2FX1jVHGAmHH5KUdZgT49TdJAtdOAnPmMN0SRAIVXgdliBOB8yYuZnH02HeLDbwh13sq7_lYg2VbDZQw78/s1600/IMG_7149%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #d0e0e3; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK5Lcv_-0wChKzhNx7eyl3V0_f7wSCEVv5mKEdxfzWa_f9m8zE2ZhLpZ-H2FX1jVHGAmHH5KUdZgT49TdJAtdOAnPmMN0SRAIVXgdliBOB8yYuZnH02HeLDbwh13sq7_lYg2VbDZQw78/s320/IMG_7149%255B1%255D.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-size: small;">Best friends don't count, even if they are making lovely faces.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">13. Do you consider yourself a musical theatre fan in general or do you just like a few musicals?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Theatre is an art form, like any other, only more epic*. It's dangerous/effective because it allows so much portrayal of emotion through randomly bursting into song (which is what makes it epic). Any further and we'll run into a Deep Thoughts post, which I don't have time for. I love the art form, and </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I love a few musicals. I just don't like musicals in general (if that makes any sense). I don't dislike musicals in general, though. :)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">14. Are you tired of the word "musical" yet?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">um, to tell the sheepish truth, almost.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #434343; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">15. Turn your music playing device on shuffle (or utilize Pandora if you don't have one) and tell us the names of the first three show tunes that come up-- no cheating! How do these rank on your favorites/most-listened-to list?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">"The Scarlet Pimpernel," Ironically enough. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">"I See the Light," which I'm not sure counts, but Jackie Evancho's rendition is sweet,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">"Believe" which does not have <i>the</i> dumbest lyrics in the world (I keep telling myself this), from TSP, not <i>The Polar Express.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The first song from the <i>American Girl Revue</i> also came on, but... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">*epic in the popular, almost meaningless sense of the word. Virgil, Dante, and Milton are really epic. Now, a musical of <i>The Odyssey</i> would be an epic epic.</span></span>Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-69405317358298942882013-08-28T08:48:00.000-07:002013-08-29T08:00:19.402-07:00Writing Tag<ol style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<li style="color: #666666; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What was your first-ever piece of writing? My first ever story was a plagiarism of the story of Rapunzel. I think it was called "The Princess in the Tower" or something. I still have it...somewhere...</b></span></li>
<li style="color: #666666; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>How old were you when you first began writing? 9, I think, is my first documentable attempt. I didn't enjoy writing until I was 11 or so.</b></span></li>
<li style="color: #666666; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Name two writing goals. One short term & one long term. Short term is to finish this Omnibus paper. Hehe. Long term--work on revising some of my short stories and possibly write a novel (I doubt the latter will ever be accomplished).</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i></span></li>
<li style="color: #666666; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Do you write fiction or non-fiction? the work I'm proudest of is non-fiction blended with enough fiction to keep it from being offensive to the main characters. Delicate work, that.</b></span></li>
<li style="color: #666666; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Bouncing off of question 4, what's your favorite genre to write in? I love writing fantasy--I blame that on too many Percy Jackson-esque books--but to to quote Mr. Knightley, "I'm not good at it." Reading LotR kind of discourages that...there's no way I can even develop a tiny bit of the detail Tolkien puts in his world in my so-so scribblings. Did I mention that I'm somewhat of a perfectionist? On the other hand, I love short stories--I don't have to work as much on plot development and can concentrate on the characters. Plus I hate writing endings and conclusions, and in a short story often I can put a weird twist at the ending in a way I couldn't in a novel. As I'm writing this I can't help but think of Jane Austen's play "The Mystery" for some reason.</b></span></li>
<li style="color: #666666; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>One writing lesson you've learned since 2013 began. Don't ever password protect your files without writing down the password. It's not fun to stare at that little blue box wi</b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>th the blinking cursor wondering what on earth the password is--after trying the title, all the main characters' names, places, themes, and random words. I shouldn't have to hack my own computer!</b></b></li>
<li style="color: #666666; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> Favorite author, off the top of your head! Jane Austen, because...well, she's Jane Austen--lighthearted, clever and very, very funny.</b></span></li>
<li style="color: #666666; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Three current favorite books. Let's change this to "some enjoyable things I've read recently." Some of the stories I've read from the <i>Decameron, The Girl on the Boat, Only a Novel</i> </b></span></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;">Biggest influence on your writing {person}: A person? Hmm. Probably Dad and Mom. I have some fond memories of novel sending and editing with some of my friends quite a while ago. </span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;">What's your go-to writing music? For schoolwork/studying I always listen to Orla Fallon's "Distant Shore." I have the <i>Braveheart</i> soundtrack and FotR and RotK complete recordings that I listen to when I want to feel epic. For other writing, Celtic Woman's <i>Believe</i> and <i>A New Journey </i>is nice. And the TSP musical if I need to be distracted.</span></span></b></li>
<li style="color: #666666; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>List three to five writing quirks of yours! Little habits, must-haves as you write, etc. Um. For one, I pull a Bilbo and never allow people to read things until they're somewhat finished ("Finished for what?" "Reading!"). I only use fountain and G2 Pilot pens if I can possibly manage it. I can't ever bring myself to work on something a little bit for a long time--I hole up with a notebook and don't emerge for several days or so.</b></span></li>
<li style="color: #666666; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What, in three sentences or less, does your writing mean to you? It's amusing and makes me think. When I start writing just what I think others will enjoy I'm usually not happy with the results.</b></span></li>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;"><b>Linking to <a href="http://www.everygoodword.com/2013/08/tag-youre-it-writerly-link-up.html">Every Good Word</a></b></span></span><ol style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380006924904543075.post-81682491767039437532013-08-07T19:22:00.001-07:002013-08-08T09:30:50.867-07:00There's a Hedgehog on my Head...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I suppose I should 'pologize for not posting in a long time. Sowwy.</div>
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Now that all's forgiven, I can proceed in introducing my NEW PET. </div>
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Thanks to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TU2RLwEsxT4">*TSP*</a>, I've been studying Georgian fashion. It's been interesting. Regency is all about columns, long vertical lines, flowy gowns, and Greek statuary, but Georgian...quite simply, Georgian is all about the POOF. So POOF it is. </div>
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I've discovered the method of curling my hair--insert squeal--why aren't you squealing?--perhaps we need some backstory.</div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;">Catie's Tragic History of Trying to Curl her Hair</span> </div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-small;">by Catie</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Once upon a time there was a 10-year-old girl named Catie who thought that the epitome of hairstyling was a smooth, bump-free (usually greasy) ponytail on the back of her head. She wore this for several months, until her best friend convinced Catie to allow her to curl Catie's hair for the LPCC concert. Catie allowed it. After 45 minutes, when the heat of the curling iron had removed all of the humidity from the air in the bathroom, a curl was born. It was not just any curl. It was a Nellie Olson curl. Catie was excited. Catie ran to show her mother. As she opened the door, the curl realised that there was humidity outside the bathroom. It died.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Catie often tried again to curl her hair, but it never really worked. After her sister Jess bought <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Heat-Curling-Iron-2-Inch/dp/B0006I2U2C/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1375927398&sr=8-4&keywords=small+curling+iron">the best curling iron ever,</a> she could get a few <a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSv8LQsuykhLMrusC3WghUHnLNCuf0pBpRJjr_pBR2WFTKwxfTwRw">Romantic wispies</a>, but they never stayed long. Catie gave up in despair and cried in the dark, cobwebby corner.</span></div>
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All right, I made up the last part. You get the point. I was reading the other day, however, about <a href="http://voices.yahoo.com/old-fashioned-hair-styling-paper-curl-496771.html">paper curls</a>. I tried it. It worked. I kept waking up at odd hours, but it worked.<br />
Back to the new pet. It is called a hedgehog, and you can see some examples of it <a href="http://pinterest.com/mmebahorel/18th-century-hair/">here.</a> Mine is semi-historically-accurate. That is, I didn't feel like following instructions, so I pinned and pulled and twisted until it looked right--that is to say, frizzy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA8GUEYzkPp9UCzwOAkrZOgVAOOM_IgHlQq2FnqlnO5F9clwpdLzB7evCNlKubNRbR7gvRiI_ExMTW82t6HyPUGx6bYP01Xs4P22lzLI7tirNDA6nvUT7SSPjqStxVfcbe_Lwn4Cb_SQ/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA8GUEYzkPp9UCzwOAkrZOgVAOOM_IgHlQq2FnqlnO5F9clwpdLzB7evCNlKubNRbR7gvRiI_ExMTW82t6HyPUGx6bYP01Xs4P22lzLI7tirNDA6nvUT7SSPjqStxVfcbe_Lwn4Cb_SQ/s640/photo.jpg" width="623" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcRnlcOrtyRslAGTM1VQ3-qtfJlCJa7E4E-dEI91gqutOJiIVUBzoEKkiNbM-vQlf9sSLYdE6QrL6Abq4pJ55WbZpeHQpa_X9cVtqg0ZgZmZCjUjKNOgPiWJEVcuGjwIzHCIuUvhopYU/s1600/IMG_7173%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcRnlcOrtyRslAGTM1VQ3-qtfJlCJa7E4E-dEI91gqutOJiIVUBzoEKkiNbM-vQlf9sSLYdE6QrL6Abq4pJ55WbZpeHQpa_X9cVtqg0ZgZmZCjUjKNOgPiWJEVcuGjwIzHCIuUvhopYU/s640/IMG_7173%255B1%255D.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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I am enormously proud of the thing. Now for an almost-semi-historically-accurate construction. I managed to get hold of Gabbi (actually, she volunteered) at a sleepover. The results?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK5Lcv_-0wChKzhNx7eyl3V0_f7wSCEVv5mKEdxfzWa_f9m8zE2ZhLpZ-H2FX1jVHGAmHH5KUdZgT49TdJAtdOAnPmMN0SRAIVXgdliBOB8yYuZnH02HeLDbwh13sq7_lYg2VbDZQw78/s1600/IMG_7149%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK5Lcv_-0wChKzhNx7eyl3V0_f7wSCEVv5mKEdxfzWa_f9m8zE2ZhLpZ-H2FX1jVHGAmHH5KUdZgT49TdJAtdOAnPmMN0SRAIVXgdliBOB8yYuZnH02HeLDbwh13sq7_lYg2VbDZQw78/s640/IMG_7149%255B1%255D.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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hehe.hehehe. POOF.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPGJ5bKGg5_Zw189_CG9cpAUE0d1lkx1O8_f-isNpLFHH3PqkZPmtiARQZveqo3sp9uh2JKrEOt9HMjF_EfaaIA6kRYXF73M9GRPTtdZQnmy6zSpSO8wuAlk5K0lkxzBzNIjTbAf-cww/s1600/IMG_7148%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPGJ5bKGg5_Zw189_CG9cpAUE0d1lkx1O8_f-isNpLFHH3PqkZPmtiARQZveqo3sp9uh2JKrEOt9HMjF_EfaaIA6kRYXF73M9GRPTtdZQnmy6zSpSO8wuAlk5K0lkxzBzNIjTbAf-cww/s640/IMG_7148%255B1%255D.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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I had to climb on a chair (while she was sitting down) to reach it. Part of that is that I am short (according to Jessie). Part of that is, quite simply, POOF.</div>
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I think it is time to cease my incoherent rambling about hair--in the meantime, if you haven't read/watched <i>The Scarlet Pimpernel, </i>go do so. For your own good. :D</div>
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Catie Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303677221028187214noreply@blogger.com0