Culture and Entertainment
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Castle Notes
Again, in my drafts since October.
I’ve been on a Castle binge (and seriously, way more addicted than to any show that I’ve watched in awhile, years maybe). My sister introduced me to castle almost a decade ago, I want to say when season 4 or 5 was running, I think it was before it was on Netflix, because I think I was relying on the ABC app or something. I seem to be most familiar with season 4 (and I know I started with Gates as captain not Montgomery). I know I didn’t start off watching from the beginning, I’d seen some earlier episodes though. And I know I didn’t finish it, got bored waiting on the next seasons plus it was rather dark for me. But I started from the begining on Hulu this time, yeah, the earlier seasons, SO good. I feel like the writing is not quite as pithy and witting, but then I’m also not paying as much attention (also quote post coming).
And SO many Hallmark actors, more than any other show I’ve watched (meaning Psych and Parks and Rec because the other few shows I’ve seen wouldn’t be likely to have Hallmark actors). I mean like multiple each season for the first few seasons. Also baby Chadwick Boseman. And Jane Seymour (who also is in Hallmark).
I love the trio of Castles/Rodgers. The hilarious mother son relationship, the sweet and funny father daughter relationship. I love Castle vs Beckett (that Benedict Beatrice dynamic, always does it for me). I love the detective “siblings.” The older sister Becket followed by Esposito then baby Ryan. I love Ryan and Esposito, double trouble.
I was too caught up in the show to bother to catch all the quotes, so I had to go digging to find some, and I still am not sure these are all the good ones.
I’d skip “A Slice of Murder” and “Recoil”, the first I didn’t know about and didn’t skip fast enough, the 2nd put me off Castle the first time and was a lingering memory of resistance to rewatch.
When I was starting to rewatch I was getting pretty jumpy (actually I still am) in the dark plus just too scared so I started skipping a lot of the beginning crime occurrence (nice of them to organize it neatly like that). I also think the music keys me up the most really. If you are like me, I’d advise this.
Wild Rover. Where I first learned how to pronounce Siobhan as Espo does. I know the Irish mob pops up a lot and granted this show was two decades ago, but from what I can find it’s not (nor has ever been) one crime syndicate and it’s not active or very powerful in NYC right now. Apparently prohibition was the heyday and it was the first organized crime gang in US? Also learned that such gangs aren’t bounded by countries. I learned recently the Italian Mafia worked in Italy and U.S., I mean not just separate entities. The Mafia pops up in Castle too, but Seamus Dever/Kevin Ryan is Irish American, so I think they threw the mob more maybe in for that character and actor.
I was just wondering how Ryan could have kept his secret from Bobby S. But then NYC is massive, I was wondering, what is the relative population to my state. 2x. NYC has 2x the people in my entire state. So yeah, I guess he could get away with that.
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Castle Goes Sideways
Also in my drafts since October.
So I was going merrily along watching Castle into season 6 thinking, wow, no sour note, hey I can watch it to the end. Ended on a dramatic note, not anything out of character or style.
Started on the sour note. Castle and co. have worked and known each other for years. C and B are committed. And now all of the sudden she doesn’t trust him, even after he’s been framed more than once before. Also there was a memory case before but this one is far too unbelievable and absolute than that one episode case. And trying to add in childhood trauma that Castle (CASTLE! the one who pushes Beckett to re-open her mother’s murder investigation, who is open and aboveboard) has? Um, no, if he’d had that it would have surfaced before (and its not needed, his story is just fine, he doesn’t need a copycat Beckett story, that is Beckett’s story). Adding something this late in the game is implausible.
Then the “trauma” caused by this upside down mixed up plot twist causes them to A) Not want to get married . . . why? They’ve already committed. They’ve had MUCH MUCH worse things happen to them. And they are both serious about what they take serious (Kate is serious most times, Castle can get goofy, but when he means it, he means it). Kate is no nonsense and Castle only nonsensical when he’s being goofy, not soap opera nonsensical. This soap opera stuff is so unlike which leads me to B) Not only are they acting like they suddenly aren’t committed because of “trauma” despite actually previously experiencing real trauma and being MORE committed, they haven’t had sex. Really? Castle always wanted to sleep with her and Kate doesn’t have such a waffling sort of attitude once she commits. Suddenly they aren’t communicating. Sorry, they had that trope (and it fit then) early on about expressing interest (and it made sense then on her side, on his not as much). They’ve always been great at communicating.
And then it just didn’t seem to get the tone right after that. Most of the previous episodes in the previous season were serious (some more than others) with humor as an aside, as extra. Now it’s goofy all through with “serious” as an aside. That’s not Castle. It’s Psych. And with Psych it works with the characters and that was the intent. It doesn’t work with Castle characters.
And them sneaking off to get married. If they were going to do that, they wouldn’t have planned a wedding first and wouldn’t have done it so flippantly. I actually think eloping might not have been too out of character. But the way it was done certainly was.
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October Shows and Quotes (Loki, Only Murders in the Building, Castle, Boy Meets World, M*A*S*H)
I don’t see that I posted this, and I love sharing excellent quotes, so here goes.
Loki quotes. I loved the first two I think episodes before amazingly poor writing ruined it.
“A double cross by history’s most reliable liar.”
“I don’t need your sympathy.”
“Good, because I’m running out of it.”“I’d never stab anyone in the back; that’s the most boring form of betrayal.”
Only Murders in the Building quotes.
“I can’t tell if you are acting or not. ”
“Oh, believe me, when he is acting you can tell.”“You are scoring a murder mystery not DJ-ing a hobbit’s wedding.”
“I know there is a part of you that misses me, that misses the magic we made.”
“Oliver, I loved our shows, it’s setting money on fire I don’t care for.”“The headlines of the Times next was: “Splat.”
“You bought in because I was confident and charming and young.”
“You were around 58.”
“. . . The false arrogance of youth.”
“Again, you were nearly 60.”Oliver, getting out of his car which he has been driving and running to the passenger’s side, “No, no, you drive. I’ve got to record. And also my driver’s license expired 25 years ago.”
More Castle quotes.
Double trouble at the comic convention bar:
Ryan, “This is like the Halloween from Hell.”
Espo, “Oh yeah, this is probably to low brow for you, huh? You’re probably into the boring-a** intellectual kind of sci-fi like Gattica or 2001 the Monolith, what the hell was that?”
Ryan, “Don’t ask me, no, no, swords and sorcery, that’s more my thing, like Lord of the Ring.”
Espo, “Yeah, I can probably see you as an elf,” looks him up and down “. . . or a hobbit.” Walks off with a smirk.“Deep cover, I can’t believe he didn’t tell me.”
“Espo, he didn’t even tell Jenny.”
“Yeah, but I’m his best friend, she’s just the wife.”
“Thus proving why there is no Mrs. Esposito.”Beckett to Castle, “Are you okay?”
“No, Mrs. O’Leary, I’m not okay. I happen to like my legs and yours too. And why is your husband paying bikers over 5 grand for a stripper’s phone?” (I’m screaming. This episode.)Later, O’Leary to Beckett, “Kitkat who is this guy?”
Castle “Kitkat?”
Beckett, “This guy is Richard Castle, my future husband.”MAS*H quotes (this felt more summer so I shelved it after an episode or two).
“If you do to the army what you did to this college, America is finished.”
“You want to raffle off a nurse?”
“Is that what I said?”“Since when are you interested in the Bible?”
“I peeked at the end, Frank, the Devil did it.”
“Hey, don’t get physical Frank, you’ll blow your sainthood.”“Henry, you have no idea what it’s like to share a tent with a guy who thinks he’s all 12 disciples.”
Boy Meets World quotes. Not so much rewatching as skimming a bit for the best Eric parts. I didn’t get very far, my attention span is excellent. Also, the actor who voices Bernard in Adventures in Odyssey made a brief appearance in the rave/anniversary one
“Topangas like totally strange.”
“Strange is in the eye of the beholder, Mr. Matthews. I for example have a young neighbor who sings along with his little sister’s Barney records.” (I don’t know what the “normal” age of Barney watching was supposed to be, but I remember it was a point of mocking to say “you watch Barney.”)“How long have you been up there?”
“Long enough to watch you swap spit with a Feeny” . . .Later. “Nice? She’s beautiful, I mean it’s the most incredible girl I’ve ever kissed.”
“Which puts her at the top of the list of what, two?”“I understand that you two did a little detective work tonight.”
Eric, “Sorry we ratted on you mom.”
Cory, “It was me, I folded under torture.”
Eric, “Yeah, Dad said, ‘Hello’.”“All these years pretending to be my close friend.”
“Close? As in Philadelphia is close to . . . Neptune?”“Us, on the radio?”
“Yeah, see if you can’t squeeze it in between doing nothing at school and nothing at home.” -
Bridgerton Thoughts
When I saw the previews back in December 2020, I wanted to watch it and just should have immediately done so because after it came out, everyone on the internet, ew folks, don’t embarrass yourselves. So I will never fully rid myself of that icky feeling. And I couldn’t avoid it. I’ve actively avoid reading opinions, but this was just everywhere. Plus I already get a reversal of interest when things are too popular at times.
I’m just going to touch on the fluffy stuff (i.e. most of it). Any mere mention of anything else is verboten, please and thank you.
Yes, I know it’s not supposed to be historically accurate, but they did pick a time period, and I am a history person.
When I was thinking about the costumes, particularly the Featheringtons (as they really reminded me of the step-sisters in Cinderella 2012) I realized that the difference between Cinderella 2012 being sort of historical fantasy and Bridgerton feeling a bit more like, bad history, is the attempt to set Bridgerton in a specific time. Whereas Cinderella was much more vague. I think that would have been a bit better.
And as to the costumes, yeah, the Featheringtons obviously were totally inaccurate in every way. I think the Bridgertons and Marina Thompson (before Mrs. Featherington gets her clothes) were most accurate.
And the corset thing, seriously, did they do some inaccuracies deliberately on purpose to be annoying? Tight lacing corsets as a common thing is a Victorian myth, and then they put that inaccuracy onto Regency during which such undergarments were called STAYS (like all the centuries before) AND during which fashions didn’t need small waists as they were hidden? Surely they are trolling.
Which leads me to:
Was it supposed to be as funny as I found it?The duel scene was when I really felt the ludicrousness, and I lost it. I mean the duel was so deadly serious, melodramatic, and stereotypical with the penultimate ludicrousness with Daphne’s dramatic entrance and tumble. All the Georgette Heyer duels play on the absurdity for humor. But this seemed like it was supposed to be serious?I was crying with laughter when the f-boys in 1813 meme bit came in. -
Death on the Nile
BEWARE SPOILERS INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW!!!
Saturday I went to see Death on the Nile with two of my sisters and my sister in law. I don’t go to see movies much (averaging less than one a year?), and between covid and fewer showtimes working with my schedule, I haven’t been since Jan of Feb 2020. So I was really looking forward to it.
I didn’t love Murder on the Orient Express, but I wanted to see Death on the Nile, and I thought the plot was probably more complicated than the Murder on the Orient Express (I remembered the result of the movie before watching). I had read this book too, but didn’t remember anything before going to the theater and assumed it was more complicated than Murder on the Orient Express which I feel is one of Christie’s overrated mysteries.
I’m not going to spoil the twist I don’t think, but I’m putting a warning just in case because I often am wary of any slight thing giving me any sort of preconceived opinion about a movie.
SPOILERS BELOW!!!
During the movie I did eventually guess the ending, then second-guessed, then realized I was previously correct. However, the movie was interesting and complicated enough that that realization didn’t really spoil it too much. My sister said some things were changed. Apparently a lot actually (I looked up the book summary on Wikipedia later), the book seemed to have several more characters than the movie, I think the filmmakers combined a few as well as removed some.
We thought the acting better than in the first movie. The scenery was of course lovely. And the costumes were stunning. However, it’s not something I’m likely to watch again. It’s a one and done sort of mystery movie plus I had content and quality issues.
When it first started, I thought, “I didn’t sign up for WWI trench warfare.” That requires steeling of the mind. Thankfully this section didn’t last too long or get too graphic (I just know so much more as an adult about the World Wars and warfare generally I just tend to fill in the blanks). . . not that I watched all of it.
From warfare to what feels like foreplay on the dance floor. Excruciating. Why?! And we get more of the same later. Between violence and second hand embarrassment (from awkward moments and sexual moments), I did quite a bit of looking away. Oh, and I could have done without close ups of Poirot, don’t need to see his pores or his vomitous mustache.
And like the first, it weirdly modernized some things, while portraying everything else stylistically and in other ways period correct. Why not just make it modern? (I’m guessing for the costumes, they were fabulous). These period ones aren’t going to match older, better versions (which I need to watch, the girls were discussing those afterward, especially the David Suchet versions).
Also, while I never liked Poirot in the books, if Branagh is trying to make a less annoying Poirot, he failed miserably. I cannot stand his excruciating sentimentality. I’ve only seen Branagh in Much Ado About Nothing, an episode of Wallander and the two Poirot films, and the latter three he’s directed (I believe) and in them he puts undue and undeserved emphasis on his character and has this excruciating sentimentality and heart-burning sort of schtick going on that’s supposed to be artistic and deep but patently isn’t, and I find it sickening.
Anyway, back from that slight detour, I did tear up (happening more and more to this ice-hearted lady), I think usually in reference to one particular character. And the end involves suicide (my sister warned me just before, but I figured as much). So any softies, be warned.
I did overall enjoy getting to go and watch it, and I’d recommend it to any Christie fans with reservations to watch in theater. It’s just not going to make any favorite or rewatch list of mine.
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Would You Rather: Lovely Edition
I went full-time at the beginning of the year and while I cut out my second weekend job, I still feel like I have so little time; I’ll have to do a catch up post later. As well as other posts when I can get my brain in order.
I’m joining in Cordy’s Lovely Blog Party with her “Would You Rather.”
Would you rather wear a ball gown for a formal first date, or would you prefer an active first date?
A formal date where I could where a ball gown would be so much fun. But it could also be nerve wracking. Ideally, I think this would be my first choice, but as long as it didn’t set the tone for lots of formal or upscale events.
Would you rather have to matchmake for someone, or have someone matchmake for you?
Matchmake for someone else, feel I could do it better/make it less awkward.
Would you rather be serenaded or be the one that has to do the serenading?
Both are awful, but since I can’t sing, I’ll pick the first and hope it’s private, comic, and he has a good voice.
Would you rather receive flowers and chocolates or chocolates and a teddy bear as tokens of affection?
Flowers and chocolates. I genuinely love those “cliche” things and would/have bought for myself. I love teddy bears, but I have several including a little live in my little fur baby.
Would you rather wear a veil or a flower crown on your wedding day?
I was honestly thinking about both. But a circlet, small flowers or floral designed circlet.
Would you rather receive a romantic poem or have to write and gift a romantic poem?
Yeah, the serenading and the poetry and ooshy, gooshy sentimental words are the cliches I don’t personally like, as in really, really don’t. I prefer simple, sincere direct words. So again, it’d have to be him, and as a spoof.
Would you rather cook a meal for your date, or have your date cook for you?
Date cook for me. I don’t love cooking.
Would you rather watch a chick-flick or an action film as your date-night movie?
I feel like chick-flicks are more a girls night thing. I don’t love action movies as an overall genre. But if it was action adventure, especially a classic or something like National Treasure, then I think that’s a great date-night movie.
Would you rather dance in the rain, or stargaze together?
Probably stargaze if I didn’t have to drive home in the dark, although a warm rain dance I could find more fun in the right circumstances.
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I’m great at decisions.
“1 or 2?”
“Well actually, I’d like 3 or 4.”
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Countdown to Christmas Week 1
I think I did this last year, in lieu of getting an advent calendar (need to budget and plan better) and because I’m feeling Grinch-y, I’ve been trying to do some sort of Christmas activity every day of December until Christmas (well and after, since it. is. still. Christmas, the 12 days start on Christmas).
- Day 1
- Bought the gift for the sister whose name I drew.
- Watched day one of Lauren Johnson’s Christmas videos (sewing Christmas stockings).
- Day 2
- Watched The Santa Clause. I grew up watching the previews for these movies.
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Watched The Santa Clause 2. This felt more familiar than merely watching previews, I think I’d seen it or most of it before.
- Drank some cocoa.
- Watched Noelle. A blend of cute and “eh.”
- Day 5
- Watched Lauren Johnson’s Crafty Christmas Vlog
- Which inspired me to start my tea kettle and make some Harney’s Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea (loved it!),
- And to get my knitting,
- And to watch The Holiday. Which I didn’t get as expected. Jude Law is attractive, but pretty basic. Jack Black is dreadful, as an actor and potential romantic lead and with Kate Winslet. Cameron Diaz is just super annoying. The best part of the movie was Iris’s reactions to Amanda’s LA house.
- I also wrapped gifts.
- Found my Kindle, merry Christmas to me (long story, coming soon).
- Day 6
- With Love Freddy’s Flat Decorating (love the color scheme, I want blush, gold, cream, and rose gold for my tree in my room).
- And some videos on this playlist, trying to find which snowflakes that I’d want to make for Christmas and winter and planning what I need to purchase.
- More hot chocolate.
- Received and opened my Literary Christmas box!!!!!!!
- Read some Dickens and lit the Christmassy candle that came with The Literary Bookclub Box.
- Day 7
- Watched Lauren Johnson’s First Christmas Thrift Flip.
- Lit my candle again and drank the hot chocolate that came with the box and read more of A Christmas Carol.
- Day 1
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Favorite Castle Quotes, Early Seasons
For your reading pleasure, I present some choice quotes from the first (3 I think) seasons of Castle. And in lieu of a post that requires some thinking . . .
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“Careful Hans, your New Jersey is showing.”
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“From the library of Katherine Beckett.”
“Do you have a problem with reading, Ryan?”
“Yo, check it, girl, you’re totally a fan!”
“Right. Of the genre.”
“Right, the genre, that’s why you’re blushing.”
“What are you, twelve?”
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“Mr. Castle, you’ve got quite a rap sheet for a bestselling author. Disorderly conduct, resisting arrest.”
“Boys will be boys.”
“It says here that you stole a police horse?”
“Borrowed.”
“Ah, and you were nude at the time.”
“It was spring.”
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“Exactly how much longer do I have to expect you to be shadowing me on my cases like this?”
“Hard to say, when I’m writing a new character there’s no saying when inspiration might strike.”
“I thought I was your inspiration.”
“Oh you are Detective, in so many ways.”
“Yeah well your inspiration might strike you sooner than you might think.”
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“Do you know the school?”
“Oh, I’ve been kicked out of all of New York’s finer educational institutions at least once. The irony is, now that I’m rich and famous, they all claim me as alum and want money.”
“It is just so rough being you.”
“My cross to bear.”
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“Be careful, okay?”
“Do I detect actual concern for my well-being.”
“Screw this up and I’ll kill you.”
“That’s more like it.”
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“Six months.”
“Six months what?”
“We dated for six months.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“Yeah, I know. You were not-asking very loudly.”
“I know. I’m like a Jedi like that.”
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“Oh, do you want to see grumpy? How about the cover art for your new novel?”
“Nikki Heat cover art? That’s only available to. . . oh my God, you subscribed to my website? Wait a minute… are you Castlefreak1212? Castlelover45?”
. . .
“So what did you think of your alter ego Nikki? Pretty sweet, right?”“Sweet? She’s naked!”
“She’s not naked! She’s holding a gun. . . strategically.”
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“You were all over me to get a copy of that book. Do you have any idea how many hoops I had to jump through, just so my editor wouldn’t send an armed guard to watch over you while you read it? The least you could do is to… [pauses and looks at her] Oh. Oh! I see what you’re doing.”
“I’m not doing anything.”
“Oh, yes, you are. Yes, you are. You’re trying to push my buttons, but it’s not gonna work.”
“Really?”
“Mmm.”
“‘Cause it seems to be working just great.”
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“What?”
“Nothing… it’s just I’m so used to seeing you act like a 12-year-old all the time, it’s refreshing to see you as a father.”
“It makes you want me, right?”
“…And there’s the 12-year-old again.”
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“Does he look like a killer to you?”
“Everybody looks like a killer to me, Castle. Job requirement.”
“Do I look like a killer to you?”
“Yes, you kill my patience.”
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“I can’t believe how many lives were ruined over one woman’s need to protect her family’s reputation.”
“You will never have this problem. Between Grams and myself, our family reputation’s already in ruins.”
“Mmm. Lucky me.”
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“. . .but changing your identity? The math doesn’t quite add up for me.”
“You know what math doesn’t add up for me? Two wives.”
“One wife too many for you?”
“Two wives too many.”
“Seems like the common denominator in that equation is you.”
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“No, no wait, this scene is going to expose the killer. ‘The play’s the thing wherein we’ll catch the conscience of the king.’ Hamlet.”
“‘We already know who the killer is, so you are wasting my time.’ Me.”
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“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
Darling Desi has her fall decorating video up, and it is so inspiring. I was also inspired to find and share some smaller youtubers. The Darling Desi channel was small I think just last fall and is now huge, so that was fun to watch.
I don’t know how much decor I will have, I’m not prioritizing decor right now in this apartment, but I am planning a romantic academia fall wardrobe. I’m pretty excited, I’ve got some dyeing and sewing projects planned and a Thredup haul.
Also, fall baking! And I’d like to eventually get to Trader Joe’s for some of the treats mentioned in the Darling Desi video.
I’ve dyed fabric with coffee, and I feel like I’ve probably done paper before too.
I do have sealing wax, but I’ve not used it I don’t know how to use it well.
And the above video also reminded me that I want to press some of the mums I bought. I need to get a good flower press, and then remember to use my pressed flowers well. I’ve struggled with doing that in the past when I pressed flowers.
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A Tolkien Blog Party Tag
I’m joining in Hamlette’s A Tolkien Blog Party and answering this tag.
I was going to try to reread Tolkien before during this year’s blog party, but since I don’t own the books and have set my heart of some very expensive copies, and I must read it a certain way because I mustn’t do anything simply, that isn’t happening although this party is giving me some motivation. Maybe a Black Friday sale will put the preciousess books within reach?
1. Aragorn: Favorite Tolkien hero/heroine
Eomer.Definitely my crush, and I’m still bitter over the fact that in the movie he was pushed aside and Theoden’s petty and wrong (Aragorn was his liege lord, he ruled lands gifted by Gondor) and uncanonical “rivalry” with Aragorn was inserted into the movies. In the book Eomer and Aragorn were sword brothers and it was just awesome.
2. Boromir: Favorite Tolkien character arc
Pippin, I think? Again, need to reread, so not sure.
3. Frodo: Favorite song or poem by Tolkien
I’m not sure which songs in the movies were his and which were written for the movies. I do know that I love Into the West which was written for the movies.
4. Gandalf: Favorite wise Tolkien quotation
Need to reread for that. Maybe, “Not all who wander are lost”?
5. Gimli: A Middle-earth location you’d like to visit
Rivendell and Hobbiton.
6. Legolas: Favorite Middle-earth Weapon
One of the elvish forged swords that glow blue to warn of orcs.
7. Merry: Favorite way to celebrate Tolkien’s stories
Well, this is super fun. But I’m always wanting to get an illustrated set and read/reread all his works using this cool calculator for chronology.
8. Pippin: Favorite funny Tolkien quotation
Need to read to curate quotes.
9. Samwise: A Middle-earth food you’d like to try
I don’t know, I know there is a cookbook I’d like to look through. I’m inspired by the food game and this question to find all the food during my next reread.
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The One or Soulmates Myth
Of all the irritating fluffy pseudo-psychology or pseudo-philosophy myths out there, this one takes the cake. People who say they don’t believe in religion still think that the “universe” has given them one person. If you believe in evolution as most people say they do, how in tarnation could you possibly believe a random universe would match you, little random person, to just one special person?
As far as Christianity, there is nothing in the Bible saying you are assigned one specific person. Most marriages in the Bible, because of the time period, would have been arranged, and the Bible is very clear on the personal responsibility of staying with the marriage.
I wonder if some Christians or “Christians” confuse the predestination of all things by God as meaning they are assigned one specific person. Um, yes, the one you marry, everything you do is preordained whether you agonize or not. God knew you were going to marry that person. He didn’t say go out on a journey finding THE person (especially not using, returning, discarding other people along the way), the person you marry is who God saw you marry. Clear as mud?
This myth seems to be a great excuse not to make up one’s mind and to use and dispose and generally treat other people terribly in order to find one’s soulmate. In those cases they don’t seem to have much a soul to mate with, so why bother?
I really saw this put into perspective when I was watching He’s Just Not That Into You and one character says to another about a married man, “What if he is the one for you?” He’s not, he’s married, that is your sign right there.
Either one of the girls on the What We Said Podcast mentioned in several different episodes how her mom mentioned that it’s really more romantic to choose someone rather than essentially have someone assigned to you. That is SUCH a good point.
While I think (know) that no one just has ONE person, I don’t think it is right to treat it like a lottery either. I’m all for personal responsibility and owning your choices. As one of The Minimalists on their podcast pointed out, the world probably has a selection of people you are compatible with. And you probably won’t meet every single one of those people (nor should you need to, you shouldn’t “try out” people like so many ice cream flavors), so find someone you are compatible with, choose them, and continue to choose them. That continued choosing, that is true love and commitment.
On a lighter note that still has depth to it and to hammer in my point on how much I love this book, the story of Jocelyn and Hugh in the hilarious A Tangled Web, points out the absurdity of this silly myth as well as the life-changing damage believing it can cause people to do.
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Autumn Fun List 🍂
Here is my current Autumnal list. Bear in mind that I’ve collected the media recommendations from others and can’t vouch for them if I’ve not seen them yet. Also, I will be adding to this as I get suggests and watch more wonderful Autumn videos!
Seasons
- Thanksgiving
- Halloween
Themes/Subjects/Atmosphere/Mood
- Astronomy, stargazing
- Harvest
- Forests, woodlands
- Myths, legends, folklore
- Mystery, noire, suspense
- Hitchcock
- Decline, melancholy, nostalgia
Activities/Bucket List
- Knitting, especially baby blankets
- Pumpkin picking
- Apple picking
- Ladies’ Thrift Shopping Day
- Black Friday/Cyber Monday
- Thanksgiving
- Fall puzzle
- Maple festival
- Any other festivals I can find
- Miniatures/models
- Sew velvet pumpkins and squash, make some foxes, plan Xmas dress
- Bonfire and s’mores
- Zoo
- Broadway (the traveling shows that come to various cities)
- Piano guys concert? Any other concert?
Rereads
- Pat Books 2021
- All Tolkien 2021
- Aunt Jane’s Hero 2021
- Brontë’s, particularly appropriate are The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Wuthering Heights 2021
- Scott’s Poetry 2021
- Sherlock 2021
- Story Girl Duology 2021
- The Westing Game 2021
- Thirteen Secrets trilogy 2021
- Wildwood Dancing 2021
- Agatha Christie 2022
- Inkheart 2022
- Stephen Lawhead’s Pendragon Cycle 2023
- The Book Thief 2023
- Entwined 2024
- Good Fairy Tale retellings 2024
- Lord Peter 2024
- Faerie Rebels 2025
Books
- Separate Peace by John Knowles
- The Secret History
- Fairytales and myths are haunting enough for me
- Dracula
- Wilkie Collins
- Fallish Classics
- The Librarian and other books (my sisters and in law mentioned another of hers being better) of Elizabeth Kostova
- The Woman in White
- Turn of the Screw
- Poe
- The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (reread)
- Something Wicked This Way Comes
- Call of the Wild
- Octavia Butler short stories?
- Montgomery Short Stories
- Jackson short stories?
- Bradbury short stories, The Halloween Tree
- Lets Explore Diabetes with Owls
- Northern Light Trilogy
- Extremely Loud an Incredibly Close
- Miss Peregrines Home for Children
Movies and TV
- The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
- Arsenic and old lace
- The Heiress, Montgomery Clift
- Rewatch Laura
- Dead Poets Society
- Lorna Doon
- The Riot Club
- Spellbound
- Tolkien
- Goodwill Hunting
- The Theory of Everything
- Old Agatha Christie Movies
- Dial M for Murder
- Tolkien
- School Ties
- The mummy
- Hitchcock
- Good Will Hunting
- Hugo
- Midnight in Paris
- Extremely Loud an Incredibly Close
- Night Must Fall
- Older version of A Lady Vanishes
- Gosford Hall
- Ms Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
- Poirot
- Jeremy Brett and other Sherlock
- Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
- A Tenant of Wildfell Hall
- Wuthering Heights
- A Tell Tale Vlog
- Spellbound
- October Skies
- Halloweentown, Caspar, other nonscary Halloween movies
- Ms Peregrine’s Home
- Dark Shadows
- The Village
- Turning of the Screw/The Others
- the Queen’s Gambit
- The Truth About Murder
Music and Audio Media
- Playlist
- This harp and flute instrumental CD that I love. I’ve misplaced it AGAIN. And I can’t find it digitally!
- “River Flows in You”
- Enya
- LOTR soundtrack. Especially Rohan themes
- Celtic music (I need to go through and listen to this list here)
- Folk songs
- The Hanging Tree
- I’d like to get the BBC radiodrama for the Brontës on Audible
Drinks
- Butterbeer
- Harney and Son’s Vanilla comoro tea
- Harney and Son’s cinnamon tea mentioned in A Beautiful Mess podcast
- Bingley’s Teas The Patience of Miss Price
- Chai
- Maybe apple cider
For Food
- Flavors
- Pumpkin
- Molasses
- Butterscotch
- Spice
- Apple
- Apple cider
- Butterscotch brownies
- Oatmeal Pancakes
- Cardamon Buns
- Gingerbread
- Gingersnaps
- Pumpkin Bread
- Pumpkin Muffins
- Pumpkin Truffles
- Pumpkin Pancakes (maybe)
- Maple Rolls
- Maple Cookies
- Maple butter
- This Ghost Cake (the design, I’ll probably stick with Hershey’s tried and true chocolate cake with dark chocolate cocoa)
- Spice doughnuts
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Chicken Potpie
- Mac n Cheese
- Soups
- Breads
- Chick fila a 🌮 soup
Decor
- velvet pumpkins
- lanterns
- old fashioned looking lights
- foxes
- mushrooms
- acorns
- deer
- squirrel
- white real pumpkins,
- blush velvet pumpkins
- rose gold shimmery papaer leaf garland on windows
- aster or mum wreath
- wheat wreath
Scents
- Vanilla
- Spice
- Molasses
- I want that Girl on Fire Candle!!!!!!!
Colors
- Sage
- Yellow
- Mauve
- Rose
- Blush
- Teal, darker
- Neutrals like cream, tan, brown
Styles
- Romantic Academia
- Boots with ribbons or lace laces
- Oxford Pumps
- Mary Janes
- Clogs
- Jumpers
- Sweaters
- Turtle necks
- Jackets
- Vests/dirndls/peasant styles
- Collars, for me peter pan or vintage
- Vintage blouses
- Ruffles, ruffles, ruffles!
- Silk scarves instead of ties
- Berets
- Seasonal apron
Fabrics/Textures/Prints
- Velveteen, velvet
- Plaids
- Flannels
- Corduroy
- Wools
- Silks
Nail Polish
- That green Dragon-y polish
- Do I have a good copper?
- I’d like a rose gold, feel Like I saw some somewhere
- Those space peel ons
Jewelry
- Pearls
- Rose gold
- Gold
- Ancient inspired jewelry
- Woodland inspired jewelry
Flowers (in season in my area)
- Anemone x hybrida – Japanese Anemone. 3 to 4 feet.
- Antirrhinum majus – Snapdragon, Common Snapdragon, Garden Snapdragon. 6 to 48 inches.
- Aster – Michaelmas Daisy, Starwort, Frost Flower. 18 to 60 inches.
- Buddleia davidii – Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac. 3 to 12 feet.
- Calendula officinalis – Calendula, Pot Marigold. 1 to 1.5 feet.
- Caryopteris x cladonensis – Bluebeard. 2 to 4 feet.
- Ceratostigma plumbaginoides – Plumbago, Leadwort. 8 to 12 inches.
- Chrysanthemum – Mums and Daisies. 1 to 3.5 feet.
- Corydalis lutea – Yellow Corydalis. 9 to 15 inches.
- Dendranthema x grandiflorum – Garden Mum, Hardy Chrysanthemum. 1 to 3 feet.
- Felicia amelloides – Blue Daisy. 1 to 2 feet.
- Gerbera jamesonii – Gerbera Daisy, Transvaal Daisy. 1 to 1.5 feet.
- Kalimeris pinnatifida – Japanese Aster. 2 to 4 feet.
- Lobularia maritima – Sweet Alyssum. 4 inches to 8 inches.
- Verbena – Verbena, Vervain 4 inches to 2 feet.
- Viola x wittrockiana – Pansy, Garden Pansy, Ladies Delight. 8 to 15 inches.