I am very, VERY pleased with the casting for The Hobbit. Especially: http://io9.com/5939793/first-image-of-legolas-father-drapes-the-hobbits-elf-king-in+head+to+toe-silver
I've been a fan of Pace since Miss Pettigrew, and I think he'll do very nicely as Thranduil.
Also, this fabulous actor, from In a Better World (if you haven't seen that movie, do yourself a favour and SEE IT): http://www.theonering.net/torwp/the-hobbit/cast/mikael-persbrandt/ I mean, seriously, just look at those eyes.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Quote #.....15? 20?
It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche
Living off of Art, the Art of Living
I wish I had more ambition, but sometimes I really don't care what people think of me. I just want happiness out of life. That's all. I'd like to help people while I'm living as well....But being famous, being bombarded with love for what you do and not who you are, constantly.....that sounds like hell.
Spain Post #1
If Antoni Gaudi's architecture makes me tear up, looking at pictures from a quarter of the way around the world, what's it going to be like standing in front of or inside those buildings? It's just.....how come they're so beautiful? Why isn't every building on earth like that? I don't understand. How do they stay up? How are the colour combinations so perfect? How are they so elven and hobbity all at the same time? *faints*
Need creative headings
It's very difficult to outrun a donkey. I dunno....their legs are so much longer and they seem to have this maniacal craving for terrifying humans. Yesterday I was trying to make the journey from one of the outlying gardens into the house, and ours was standing right near me, so I threw him some corn husks and tried to creep towards a side door. When I was about halfway there he realised that he wouldn't be getting any more husks if I wasn't outside, so he comes cantering up the lawn towards me. Meanwhile, I'm running to the door, carrying a tower of harvested vegetables (actually he was probably after those), praying that it's not going to be locked. It isn't, so that's nice. WHEW. Ah well. Maybe a bit of primal fear is necessary in our lives. We've kind of lost that. We either get way too much in massive doses, like going into combat or being in accidents, or we get it through horror movies and television. A middle ground needs to be achieved. I think that's why humans invented bungee jumping and whatnot. We need an element of surprise and panic in our lives.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
September, September,
Ah, September: autumn in the air....cold fingers, cold toes....chilly mornings and chillier evenings. Where are the apples this year? They've disappeared and it's eerie.
The Hunger Games thoughts
I've just seen The Hunger Games! While it was extremely well done, I'm not positive that children of 12 years will latch onto the politics insinuated in the film. It's all discussed in the special features; the allegory, the media, the celebrity world in which we live, our wastefulness as a country; but I do fear that, even though the filmmakers insist they did not want it to be an action-packed, ra-ra, victorious movie, this is what children will take it as. I just hope people seeing it will think about the implications, because the filmmakers are trying to warn us, not encourage the sort of behavior portrayed in the film.
I hope children will realise that the riots on screen are happening off-screen on a much, much larger scale, that the peacekeepers are practicing police brutality, which most certainly exists, and that the whole movie does not centre around a love triangle, but a struggle between the haves and the have-nots. In the special features, the filmmakers express that it is a film of our present world, exaggerated, and that there are clear parallels between what is going on today and what these characters are experiencing.
Some quotes from various people in the special features:
"The violence is there as a critique of violence."
"As we got deeper and deeper into the material, it was impossible not to analogize the world round us."
"They see a country of wealthy politicians and people who are well-off, who are willing to send other peoples' kids overseas to a war that is untenable for fifteen or twenty years."
I haven't delved much into researching opinions online (it seems to be very divisive), but here is one that I found interesting:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuagans/2012/03/26/the-hunger-games-is-a-great-movie-for-kids/
As usual, the thought that goes into making a film of this scale is mind-blowing. Something that you see for a fraction of a second has been hours in the making. Even though the violence is not glorified, the kids involved did learn some pretty impressive fighting skills (from the stunt coordinator of the Matrix, no less!). I'm also extremely appreciative of the fact that Suzanne Collins and Gary Ross worked together to adapt the book to film, thereby staying true to the author's visions.
Wiki states that Collins drew some inspiration from this myth (oh, those Greeks, eh?), as well as gaining knowledge of war, poverty, and hunger from her father's Air Force career.
There are so many people whining about how the actors aren't right (Peeta is too short, Katniss too old, etc. etc., the usual stuff). I think the actors did a brilliant job! I'm impressed. This was a well-handled film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zccITxJ8tY
I hope children will realise that the riots on screen are happening off-screen on a much, much larger scale, that the peacekeepers are practicing police brutality, which most certainly exists, and that the whole movie does not centre around a love triangle, but a struggle between the haves and the have-nots. In the special features, the filmmakers express that it is a film of our present world, exaggerated, and that there are clear parallels between what is going on today and what these characters are experiencing.
Some quotes from various people in the special features:
"The violence is there as a critique of violence."
"As we got deeper and deeper into the material, it was impossible not to analogize the world round us."
"They see a country of wealthy politicians and people who are well-off, who are willing to send other peoples' kids overseas to a war that is untenable for fifteen or twenty years."
I haven't delved much into researching opinions online (it seems to be very divisive), but here is one that I found interesting:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuagans/2012/03/26/the-hunger-games-is-a-great-movie-for-kids/
As usual, the thought that goes into making a film of this scale is mind-blowing. Something that you see for a fraction of a second has been hours in the making. Even though the violence is not glorified, the kids involved did learn some pretty impressive fighting skills (from the stunt coordinator of the Matrix, no less!). I'm also extremely appreciative of the fact that Suzanne Collins and Gary Ross worked together to adapt the book to film, thereby staying true to the author's visions.
Wiki states that Collins drew some inspiration from this myth (oh, those Greeks, eh?), as well as gaining knowledge of war, poverty, and hunger from her father's Air Force career.
There are so many people whining about how the actors aren't right (Peeta is too short, Katniss too old, etc. etc., the usual stuff). I think the actors did a brilliant job! I'm impressed. This was a well-handled film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zccITxJ8tY
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Elephants Need Help OR what this girl needs is a little context
Religious fanaticism friggin' sucks. I'm all for the Lord, don't get me wrong. But from what I've gathered, religions in general do not revere wealth or greed or money. I always thought it was more about love, peace, and charity.
This rant branched off of the National Geographic article 'Blood Ivory', which can be read HERE.
I quote from the article, in a paragraph discussing religious icons: "Many believe that what you invest in devotion to your own icon determines what blessings you will receive in return. For some, then, a fiberglass or wooden icon is not enough. For them, the material of choice is elephant ivory."
I do not believe that people need statues, much less expensive ones, to receive more powerful blessings. Statues merely provide a tangible form to pray to, to kneel in front of. They aren't necessary. You can have icons inside your head, or you can find them around you in nature. To spend large amounts of money on ivory religious figures is ludicrous. It's not worth the massacre of elephants, it really isn't. And the sooner people realise that, the more sane our world will be.
Who are we, humans, to decide what happens to other species? The more we desiccate our fellow living things, the lower and lower we sink. If you don't value and respect other species as much as you do your own, you are well on your way up the river.
In another article (how to help), Last Great Ape Organization (LAGA) founder Ofir Drori says that for the ivory smuggling operation to exist, "dozens of corrupt generals, magistrates, and mayors must have been involved in order to ensure that it worked. It just shows you how organized the ivory trade is." I just don't understand, morally, what goes on in people's heads. You'd think that once you were rich enough, once you had the big houses and the fancy cars, you would stop needing more.
Another recent NG article (here) illustrates other immense, uncalled-for wealth and spending. Tell me your opinions on the Roma Kings. Because we all know what happens after periods of gluttony like this.
Apologies for the scattered manner of this post, but the issue is so large and I can't possibly set the stage for it. Just go read the articles.
This rant branched off of the National Geographic article 'Blood Ivory', which can be read HERE.
I quote from the article, in a paragraph discussing religious icons: "Many believe that what you invest in devotion to your own icon determines what blessings you will receive in return. For some, then, a fiberglass or wooden icon is not enough. For them, the material of choice is elephant ivory."
I do not believe that people need statues, much less expensive ones, to receive more powerful blessings. Statues merely provide a tangible form to pray to, to kneel in front of. They aren't necessary. You can have icons inside your head, or you can find them around you in nature. To spend large amounts of money on ivory religious figures is ludicrous. It's not worth the massacre of elephants, it really isn't. And the sooner people realise that, the more sane our world will be.
Who are we, humans, to decide what happens to other species? The more we desiccate our fellow living things, the lower and lower we sink. If you don't value and respect other species as much as you do your own, you are well on your way up the river.
In another article (how to help), Last Great Ape Organization (LAGA) founder Ofir Drori says that for the ivory smuggling operation to exist, "dozens of corrupt generals, magistrates, and mayors must have been involved in order to ensure that it worked. It just shows you how organized the ivory trade is." I just don't understand, morally, what goes on in people's heads. You'd think that once you were rich enough, once you had the big houses and the fancy cars, you would stop needing more.
Another recent NG article (here) illustrates other immense, uncalled-for wealth and spending. Tell me your opinions on the Roma Kings. Because we all know what happens after periods of gluttony like this.
Apologies for the scattered manner of this post, but the issue is so large and I can't possibly set the stage for it. Just go read the articles.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Tea with Eleanor
Attended a very informative and proper tea on Campobello Island, where I got to know Eleanor Roosevelt through stories, re-enactment, and photographs. My Day is awesome: http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/myday/displaydoc.cfm?_y=1951&_f=md002015
Also, wedding dress!
And I'll roll with this and put up some of her quotes:
"History shows that a nation primarily focused on material things invariably is on a downward path." So....yeah. Polyvore, you-
And a personal favorite:
"A woman is like a tea bag-you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water."
What I gathered from the tea is that E.R. was a very strong woman, who left a great legacy of valuable quotes behind her. You can always tell what a person was made of by his/her quotes.
Also, wedding dress!
And I'll roll with this and put up some of her quotes:
"History shows that a nation primarily focused on material things invariably is on a downward path." So....yeah. Polyvore, you-
And a personal favorite:
"A woman is like a tea bag-you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water."
What I gathered from the tea is that E.R. was a very strong woman, who left a great legacy of valuable quotes behind her. You can always tell what a person was made of by his/her quotes.
Anyway, this year was my first complete time there. I'll express it mostly in photos. Saw this lovely boat as the ferry got to the docks.
We wheeled our bikes up the steep ramp to the main road, where this was going on:
Saw some sculptures by a really brilliant light and paper artist lady (I'll post a link to her blog later).
The day was large dog day as well. There were several, one on the ferry, one walking around the food booths and one walking down the sidewalk. This last one, a great dane, was the largest dog I've ever seen in my entire life. It was also THE Hound of the Baskervilles. Gorgeous, huge and grande, clearly friendly judging by the children hanging off every side of him, but I just could not bring myself to reach out an arm and touch him. I mean, unlike in the Basil Rathbone movie version, there wasn't even a question whether you could outrun this beast, because you wouldn't be able to. That's the kind of dog I'd like to have as a friend, if I ever get a dog.
It was only after we'd gotten off the ship that I really found out/absorbed that it was the one used in Pirates of the Caribbean 2 & 3 as the Edinburgh Trader, which in the end gets crunched by the Kraken. I need to learn more about the history of the ship. I wish I'd known more when I was walking around on deck. There have been an impressive number of film remakes of the voyage, and also two remakes of the ship (we saw the 1962 remake).
I have to say my favourite part of the 'neath decks tour were the tables on ropes.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Ferry Riding!!!!
Today we're skipping the 50-minute drive round the bay to the small town across from ours by taking a ferry! This is all very exciting for me, since I've only been on a ferry about 3 times so far in my entire life. There's a pirate festival where we're going (id est, an excuse for everyone to dress in skimpy wench outfits, drink, and use incorrect grammar.) Ah well. We're bringing bikes over.
I'm very thirsty this morning! Any time there's a really massive rain, our well water takes on a slight brown tint. So that's fun. There's only so much tomato juice one can drink when one is thirsty.
Anyway, I'll take ye olde camera with me this aft noon and see if I can pillage any amusing pictures.
And, colleague! I hope you successfully arrived at the Faire and that it is going splendidly! Please post excessive photos of your dress, and the camels, and the fare, and the plays, and....well, you get the picture.
I'm very thirsty this morning! Any time there's a really massive rain, our well water takes on a slight brown tint. So that's fun. There's only so much tomato juice one can drink when one is thirsty.
Anyway, I'll take ye olde camera with me this aft noon and see if I can pillage any amusing pictures.
And, colleague! I hope you successfully arrived at the Faire and that it is going splendidly! Please post excessive photos of your dress, and the camels, and the fare, and the plays, and....well, you get the picture.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Today
Made cookies today, with my cookie press. That thing is really confusing.
I have three major posts in mind for the next week or so, and I am going to get them done, dagnabbit! Some pictures for you lovely reader people.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Past Month Sum-Up
In addition to being slightly chronophobic, hydrophobic, and struggling with small metaphysical crisis, I realised recently that I am absolutely terrified that people whom I meet and talk to and am a friend and a family member to will not understand me because they don't get the full picture.
Explanation: In an average 5 minute conversation with someone, they gather a fair amount of info about you. But what if that info is coming from your weird side? I'm sure I'm not the only one out there who has sides, or rather, facets, of character. I'm like a big blanket knitted with lots of different kinds of yarns in different weights and colours, even knitted on different sized needles. That sounds chaotic. It is. But I'm not crazy or silly or serious or angry all the time. I pass through these moods hundreds of times per day. And I know I'm not bi-polar, whatever evidence there is to the contrary. So, when I talk to someone, they may just catch me in one mood and then have that as their opinion of me forever! Anyone else get this? I really need to stop worrying about it. I need to stop feeling like after every conversation with someone I need to explain myself to them.
Here are some random links that are really fascinating and that I've just come across in the past month or so:
http://www.globalization-group.com/edge/resources/color-meanings-by-culture/ Colours have always interested me: how they are used across cultures, what they mean to different groups and people. I've been thinking about it in terms of fashion design for fictional cultures.
http://tve.org/biomovies
http://www.ritdye.com/dyeing-techniques/wax-less-batik-dyeing
http://www.thewrendesign.com/the-story-behind-african-wax-print-cloth/
http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120904/upper-east-side/times-running-out-for-upper-east-side-clock-repair-shop
http://phobiapoems.tumblr.com
Spotlights on youtube people:
I really recommend watching these fabulous ladies. Start from the beginning.
Squaresville Just....yeah. It's pretty effing brilliant. And it really impresses upon you that you can make your own original series if you just have a good camera and an imagination.
LBD (All these series are gathering a cult following, but not in a weird way. Like, an amazing, we're-all-awesome-here-vibe way.)
Vsauce
Clicker training! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqU6R4cZcgM&feature=plcp
This is also the strangest thing: http://www.vice.com/read/asmr-the-good-feeling-no-one-can-explain
Ta for reading!
Explanation: In an average 5 minute conversation with someone, they gather a fair amount of info about you. But what if that info is coming from your weird side? I'm sure I'm not the only one out there who has sides, or rather, facets, of character. I'm like a big blanket knitted with lots of different kinds of yarns in different weights and colours, even knitted on different sized needles. That sounds chaotic. It is. But I'm not crazy or silly or serious or angry all the time. I pass through these moods hundreds of times per day. And I know I'm not bi-polar, whatever evidence there is to the contrary. So, when I talk to someone, they may just catch me in one mood and then have that as their opinion of me forever! Anyone else get this? I really need to stop worrying about it. I need to stop feeling like after every conversation with someone I need to explain myself to them.
Here are some random links that are really fascinating and that I've just come across in the past month or so:
http://www.globalization-group.com/edge/resources/color-meanings-by-culture/ Colours have always interested me: how they are used across cultures, what they mean to different groups and people. I've been thinking about it in terms of fashion design for fictional cultures.
http://tve.org/biomovies
http://www.ritdye.com/dyeing-techniques/wax-less-batik-dyeing
http://www.thewrendesign.com/the-story-behind-african-wax-print-cloth/
http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120904/upper-east-side/times-running-out-for-upper-east-side-clock-repair-shop
http://phobiapoems.tumblr.com
Spotlights on youtube people:
I really recommend watching these fabulous ladies. Start from the beginning.
Squaresville Just....yeah. It's pretty effing brilliant. And it really impresses upon you that you can make your own original series if you just have a good camera and an imagination.
LBD (All these series are gathering a cult following, but not in a weird way. Like, an amazing, we're-all-awesome-here-vibe way.)
Vsauce
Clicker training! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqU6R4cZcgM&feature=plcp
This is also the strangest thing: http://www.vice.com/read/asmr-the-good-feeling-no-one-can-explain
Ta for reading!
Dress-Picture-Taking-Marathon-Gig
So, In the previous post I mentioned my blooming closets, and now I think I've had a reasonably decent idea. Maybe not. We'll see. Every week or two weeks or basically when I feel like it, I'll take a picture of one of my closet items, or a combination thereof, and post it to the blog with a bit of a description and what time period it's likely from, etc. I suppose I could dress up and do mysterious, black and white, Lemony Snicket-ish scenes in the clothes...that's very tempting, but also a tad narcissistic. Sounds fun though. Ah well, we'll see what happens! And also-sorry for the extra-personal whining on this weblog here. I really should try to confine it to a journal. Kind of forgot about journaling for a year or two. Thoughts? Ideas? Any similar concepts that you've come across? I know of a few. I'll find them later and post.
Rainy Day Post
Everything in my life right now seems to being going fine and dandy, so why am I SO INCREDIBLY MAD AT EVERYONE?!!!!!
Since all-out mood-reformation doesn't seem to be working, I'm going to take it slow, by trying very hard to figure out what the reasons for my freaking out are, and also by finding things that make me happy and doing them more often. Some resolutions that I've arrived at:
Wearing nice clothes. My closets are packed to the ceiling with gorgeous clothes, and I never wear them because: "No one wears beautiful dresses every day. They're not practical, they might get messed up, and they're only for fancy occasions." Well, that's changing! Unless I attend a party twice a week for the rest of my life, I'll never get a chance to wear these dresses and scarves and hats. So I'm going to wear them every day and not care what people think.
Taking more walks. When summer came, my mom and I just stopped walking. We still do trail work, but strolling calmly down the road is far different from being bent over using clippers and sickles, huffing and puffing in 80-degree weather.
Running. I love running, so why don't I do it more often?
Yoga. I'll work out a really short routine for mornings.
Tea, soup, and other cold-weather fare. I'll make more of these things for the winter.
Travel. Needs to happen. Soon. No matter what. If it doesn't, something in my brain is going to explode.
So yes. Random things in my life right now. Later!
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