"Ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong simple "I must," then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferant hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse."
~Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Weekly Writing Quote
Here begins a new feature on this blog...weekly writing quotes, as selected by my former English Professor, Thomas Becknell.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
A Thank You
As you can see from the poll on the right hand side of the screen, almost half of you found your way to my blog via a link on another blog. This is a significant portion of my traffic and I would like to sincerely thank all of you who have enjoyed my blog enough to recomend it to others.
Now I would like to send some of my traffic back your way. If you have my blog linked on your blog, would you please comment below with your blog address and a short synopsis of your blogging mission? (Whether it's a silly mission or a serious one, I'll take them both). I will then take the information in the comments and paste it into a blog post for my readers to pursue.
Whether you take advantage of this offer or not, I want to thank you for your support of my blog!
Now I would like to send some of my traffic back your way. If you have my blog linked on your blog, would you please comment below with your blog address and a short synopsis of your blogging mission? (Whether it's a silly mission or a serious one, I'll take them both). I will then take the information in the comments and paste it into a blog post for my readers to pursue.
Whether you take advantage of this offer or not, I want to thank you for your support of my blog!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Austenland
(March 2014 update - see my review of the film adaptation here)After several months of avoiding my huge library fine and checking out books on my sister's card, I finally paid it off and went browsing among the tempting shelves. Unfortunately my current library was chosen by moi because of it's proximity to my doctor's office, not because it has an amazing selection. However by careful browsing I managed to pick up a few interesting gems.
I was scanning the "H" section when my eyes crossed two intriguing words. "Austenland" and "Shannon Hale." Now Shannon Hale is far from being my favorite author - I find her style weird and a bit jarring. But she's not horrible, and she tends to be fairly appropriete in her youth fiction, so I figured I couldn't go wrong in picking up one of her adult books. Particularily not when it so obviously had something to do with Jane Austen.
It turned out to be a nice bit of light reading. Nothing that will go on my list of perennial favorites, but an engaging read nonetheless. (Actually, to tell the truth I couldn't put it down and skivved off work reading it. Don't tell!)
The story is of a young lady named Jane who is obsessed with Colin Firth and the 1995
A&E P&P. She has been so enraptured by the perfections of Mr. Darcy, that she has begun to dispair of finding any real man who could ever meet her expectations. Things take an interesting twist when an elderly aunt - aware of Jane's problem - dies and in her will leaves her niece a fascinating legacy: a vacation to Austenland.
Austenland is a place designed for rich women who desire to live out the elegant life they've seen in the Austen movies. They wear corsets, have balls, and carrying on flirtations with the gentlemen actors hired to entertain them. Everything is carried on in perfect accordance with the period - except that there are bathrooms with proper toilets and the women wear make-up.
Jane must decide whether this is really what she has dreamed of...or whether real life might, after all, offer something more.
It's a very intriguing concept and one that I must admit I've played around with myself. Of course, I tended to think of something more like "Frontier House" as opposed to a resort, which I think would make much more sense...reality shows are more interesting than the lives of the sometimes "idle rich."
So it was an interesting, fun light read. If you're an Austen fan (and I know many of you are) you might find this enjoyable. Keep in mind that it is adult chick lit. I found it pretty tame compared to most secular works out there, but it's still not appropriete for 14-year-olds.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
A question about Wolverine...
I'm not sure how many of you are X-Men fans, but in the hopes that a few of you might be, I'm posting this here.
I woke up this morning with a rather strange question in my head. "If the adamantium was bonded to Wolverine's skeleton, why aren't his teeth silver-colored?"
Any theories?
I woke up this morning with a rather strange question in my head. "If the adamantium was bonded to Wolverine's skeleton, why aren't his teeth silver-colored?"
Any theories?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Behind the Scenes in Anatevka
I am writing this post backstage during Fiddler practice. I found backstage to be an important place in my life, as I first read SOTB backstage when I was in the play “Stage Door,” and dreamed up and started writing its screenplay backstage on “Beauty and the Beast.”
So what is happening backstage this year? The usual. People texting, playing instruments, changing costumes. I've varied between talking to people, writing on my book, and just sitting around waiting. It's hard to do much of anything productive during the first act because I'm on stage so much.
First there is “Tradition” where I begin by counting inventory at the bookshop, carry my “baby” out to sing the mamas' part, and glare at Yente when she tells my “husband” Avram that our son isn't really much to look at.
After which I go back to my house, dash backstage and change my costume so that I can come out as a daughter in “Matchmaker.” Yes, I'm a little old for that, but I can act younger and it's a fun song to be able to sing with my sister. In the script only the three daughters sing it, but in our production we repeat a few verses so that all the girls can join in, sort of a balance for the male-dominated “L'Chiam.”
(There's a lesson for Emma Woodhouse!)
Then I reverse back to my mama costume and join my family for “Sabbath Prayer” which is a song I've come to appreciate much more since beginning the play. We get to do parts and something similar to rounds, which is much more fun than just “singing.” It's really a very beautiful song.
Next up is “The Dream” which is totally freaky in the movie, and so much fun to sing in the play. One of my best friends is playing Fruma Sarah, which is a blast. I'm delighted to be in the chorus in this part, since we get to hit some fun notes and do some fun rhythm things. We are toning down the freakiness to make it more suitable for a youthful audience.
Then over to the other side of the yard to get in procession for the wedding! “Sunrise, Sunset” is another great song, and then everyone breaks out into dancing. I don't actually dance during this part, because I'm holding my “baby.” But I do enjoy watching the bottle dance, which my “husband”, “son” and “brother-in-law” all take part in. I'm really quite proud of my guy friends for what they've managed to do with this complicated dance!
Then we all cluster around the stage and are shocked by Lazar fighting with Tevye...
...and Perchik dancing with Hodel! Imagine! Hodel dancing with a man! Indeed! But then Avram demands that I join him dancing as well, so I quickly find someone to hold my baby and hurry out to the dance floor. It's fun! Until the Russians arrive! Then run run run back to our house and scream while they attack us. And then collapse backstage laughing because no one is really taking the attack seriously yet.
INTERMISSION!
Act II is pretty low key for the chorus. My first appearance is during the song “The Rumor.” Which if you haven't heard, is simply hilarious. I get plenty of good reaction time in that, and plenty of rushing around with news! Oh, and here I get a name. Motel's mother calls me “Mirela”. :)
Also, one of the best lines of the play comes here. “And thats what comes from men and women, dancing!” I quickly pull my son away from the girls hanging around him!
More waiting...waiting...waiting...and then at last we go to our homes and start packing up, preparing to leave. We sing “Anatevka” and then my family waits...waits...waits some more as we are almost the last family to leave town!
So that's what happens backstage. Right now I'm typing this while I keep an eye on Grandma Tzeitel, waiting for the cue for “The Dream.” Should be interesting, as our Fruma Sarah is out of town so someone else will be filling in her lines for us.
So what is happening backstage this year? The usual. People texting, playing instruments, changing costumes. I've varied between talking to people, writing on my book, and just sitting around waiting. It's hard to do much of anything productive during the first act because I'm on stage so much.
The Mamas: Who must know the way to make a proper home, a quiet home, a kosher home. Who must raise a family and run that home, so Papa's free to read the Holy Book!
First there is “Tradition” where I begin by counting inventory at the bookshop, carry my “baby” out to sing the mamas' part, and glare at Yente when she tells my “husband” Avram that our son isn't really much to look at.
Yente: Avram, I have a perfect match for your son. A wonderful girl.
Avram: Who is it?
Yente: Ruchel, the shoemaker's daughter.
Avram: Ruchel? But she can hardly see. She's almost blind.
Yente: Tell the truth, Avram, is your son so much to look at? The way she sees and the way he looks, it's a perfect match!
After which I go back to my house, dash backstage and change my costume so that I can come out as a daughter in “Matchmaker.” Yes, I'm a little old for that, but I can act younger and it's a fun song to be able to sing with my sister. In the script only the three daughters sing it, but in our production we repeat a few verses so that all the girls can join in, sort of a balance for the male-dominated “L'Chiam.”
Girls: Matchmaker, Matchmaker plan me no plans, I'm in no rush, maybe I've learned...playing with matches a girl can get burned!
(There's a lesson for Emma Woodhouse!)
Then I reverse back to my mama costume and join my family for “Sabbath Prayer” which is a song I've come to appreciate much more since beginning the play. We get to do parts and something similar to rounds, which is much more fun than just “singing.” It's really a very beautiful song.
All: May you come to be, in Yisroel a shining name...
Next up is “The Dream” which is totally freaky in the movie, and so much fun to sing in the play. One of my best friends is playing Fruma Sarah, which is a blast. I'm delighted to be in the chorus in this part, since we get to hit some fun notes and do some fun rhythm things. We are toning down the freakiness to make it more suitable for a youthful audience.
Golde: Grandma Tzeitel? How did she look?
Tevye: For a woman who has been dead thirty years, she looked very good.
Then over to the other side of the yard to get in procession for the wedding! “Sunrise, Sunset” is another great song, and then everyone breaks out into dancing. I don't actually dance during this part, because I'm holding my “baby.” But I do enjoy watching the bottle dance, which my “husband”, “son” and “brother-in-law” all take part in. I'm really quite proud of my guy friends for what they've managed to do with this complicated dance!
Perchik: They look so natural together-
Hodel: -just like two newlyweds should be.
Both: Is there a canopy in store for me?
Then we all cluster around the stage and are shocked by Lazar fighting with Tevye...
Golde: I had a sign! My own grandmother came to use from the grave...
Yente: What sign? What grandmother? My grandfather came to me from the grave and told me that my grandmother was a big liar!
Lazar: We drank on it!
Innkeeper: Quiet! I'm singing!
...and Perchik dancing with Hodel! Imagine! Hodel dancing with a man! Indeed! But then Avram demands that I join him dancing as well, so I quickly find someone to hold my baby and hurry out to the dance floor. It's fun! Until the Russians arrive! Then run run run back to our house and scream while they attack us. And then collapse backstage laughing because no one is really taking the attack seriously yet.
INTERMISSION!
Act II is pretty low key for the chorus. My first appearance is during the song “The Rumor.” Which if you haven't heard, is simply hilarious. I get plenty of good reaction time in that, and plenty of rushing around with news! Oh, and here I get a name. Motel's mother calls me “Mirela”. :)
Mendel: Remember Perchik, with all his strange ideas? Remember Tzeitel's wedding?
Mendel and I: Where Tevye danced with Golde?
Avram: (frowns at me) shhh!
Mendel: Well I just heard that Tevye's been arrested and Golde's gone to Kiev!
Group: No!
Mendel: God forbid.
Group:She didn't!
Mendel: She did.
Also, one of the best lines of the play comes here. “And thats what comes from men and women, dancing!” I quickly pull my son away from the girls hanging around him!
More waiting...waiting...waiting...and then at last we go to our homes and start packing up, preparing to leave. We sing “Anatevka” and then my family waits...waits...waits some more as we are almost the last family to leave town!
All: I belong in Anatevka. Tumble down, workaday Anatevka. Dear little village little town of mine.
So that's what happens backstage. Right now I'm typing this while I keep an eye on Grandma Tzeitel, waiting for the cue for “The Dream.” Should be interesting, as our Fruma Sarah is out of town so someone else will be filling in her lines for us.
Irish Humor
On the FT-Forum we have a thread for posting humorous items...well one member posted this joke, which I thought was quite good fun. :) Enjoy!
An Irishman moves into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walks into the pub and promptly orders three beers. The bartender raises his eyebrows, but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly at a table, alone. An hour later, the man has finished the three beers and orders three more. This happens yet again. The next evening the man again orders and drinks three beers at a time, several times.
Soon the entire town is whispering about the Man Who Orders Three Beers. Finally, a week later, the bartender broaches the subject on behalf of the town.
"I don't mean to pry, but folks around here are wondering why you always order three beers?"
"Tis odd, isn't it?" the man replies. "You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America, and the other to Australia. We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers whenever we drank as a way of keeping up the family bond."
The bartender and the whole town were pleased with this answer, and soon the Man Who Orders Three Beers became a local celebrity and source of pride to the hamlet, even to the extent that out-of- towners would come to watch him drink.
Then, one day, the man comes in and orders only two beers. The bartender pours them with a heavy heart. This continues for the rest of the evening. He orders only two beers. The word flies around town. Prayers are offered for the soul of one of the brothers.
The next day, the bartender says to the man, "Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know-the two beers and all."
The man ponders this for a moment, then replies,"You'll be happy to hear that my two brothers are alive and well. It's just that I, meself, have decided to give up drinking for Lent."
An Irishman moves into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walks into the pub and promptly orders three beers. The bartender raises his eyebrows, but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly at a table, alone. An hour later, the man has finished the three beers and orders three more. This happens yet again. The next evening the man again orders and drinks three beers at a time, several times.
Soon the entire town is whispering about the Man Who Orders Three Beers. Finally, a week later, the bartender broaches the subject on behalf of the town.
"I don't mean to pry, but folks around here are wondering why you always order three beers?"
"Tis odd, isn't it?" the man replies. "You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America, and the other to Australia. We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers whenever we drank as a way of keeping up the family bond."
The bartender and the whole town were pleased with this answer, and soon the Man Who Orders Three Beers became a local celebrity and source of pride to the hamlet, even to the extent that out-of- towners would come to watch him drink.
Then, one day, the man comes in and orders only two beers. The bartender pours them with a heavy heart. This continues for the rest of the evening. He orders only two beers. The word flies around town. Prayers are offered for the soul of one of the brothers.
The next day, the bartender says to the man, "Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know-the two beers and all."
The man ponders this for a moment, then replies,"You'll be happy to hear that my two brothers are alive and well. It's just that I, meself, have decided to give up drinking for Lent."
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