Here I am, finishing out 2012 with the flu. It's ironic, really, since overall my health has improved drastically this year, but there it is. Still, I was #4 in my family to get it, which is quite an improvement from being #1.
2012 has been a good year though. In addition to the health stuff, I made major leaps in my careers as a freelance costumer and writer. I'll be uploading a post of all my costumes from this year soon on Confessions of a Seamstress - watch for it! And of course, on the writing front there is my installment of Chesterton Press's "The Ruah Chronicles".
Speaking of Confessions of a Seamstress, although I only started it 18 months ago, it proved enormously popular, with my posts on Downton Abbey and Once Upon a Time costumes scoring more than 20,000 hits each. My mind still can't comprehend this!
In addition to the novel work, I also took the time to explore different writing styles, coming out with two Doctor Who short stories that I'm quite proud of. "The Contemplations of Martha Jones" directly follows the season four finale "Journey's End" and "The Legacy of River Song" is from the viewpoint of one of Prof. Song's students. Both are short, thematic pieces rather than long plot-driven stories.
I also got to travel quite a bit, spending six weeks away from home in Florida, Illinois, Maryland and Virginia. It was awesome to see so much of the country, but even better to spend time with so many wonderful people.
On the home front, I did a lot of work setting up the lower level of our house as my new living/work space. I came back home because of health reasons, for which I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my parents for making possible. I hope they find it a debt well worth holding! I'm certainly incredibly grateful, both to them and to God for watching over me here.
Overall 2012 was a good year (though not without it's challenges) and I'm looking forwards to seeing what 2013 holds!
Some Blog Highlights of 2012:
Internet Etiquette part one (part two) (part three)
When is "Old Enough" for adult books?
The Names of "Once Upon a Time"
Rumplestiltskin as "The Beast"
Thoughts about Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Violence in "The Hunger Games"
Catholic Philosopher Chick Makes Her Debut
My Great-Grandfather's Legacy
What's in a Name? (The story behind "Elenatintil")
Being Deaf Is...
Celebrating Disabilities in Fiction
Whatever Happened to Worship Dancing
What Texting Means to the Deaf
ReginaCon 2012
Ruah Chronicles Announcement
Moving Computer Tips
When a Woman Spoke to God
ITV's Titanic Miniseries
Brickfair 2012
21 Must Watch Musicals
The Pickiest Journal Shopper's Club
Dealing With Writing Critique
33 Books Everyone Should Read
How to know if NaNoWriMo is for you
Book Geek Heaven
Doctor Who Rewatch and Rose Tyler
Will OUAT Tackle Snow White and Rose Red?
The Saga of the Scribble Comics
Why I'm Not Seeing "The Hobbit" In Theaters
Monday, December 31, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Some Personal Writing Answers
Normally I don't do tag back memes... but Una Mariah had some interesting questions, so I figured I'd at least answer them. ;)
Since I figured out how to write three letter words. Or how to get my parents to write down the stories I dictated I can't remember which came first.
Which do you find inspires you more: music or pictures?
Probably music, although I do surround myself with inspirational artwork as well. Music seems to move me more emotionally, however.
Do you find yourself writing from a guy's perspective more often than a girl's, or is it the other way around?
I naturally tend to gravitate towards a female perspective (surprise surprise) but I've done male as well, and I constantly try to improve that side of my craft.
Do you prefer bands, singers, or soundtracks to listen to?
If I'm listening to anything while I write, it pretty much has to be a soundtrack without vocals.
Which is your favorite? (in whichever category you pick)
I consistently go back to the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack. It is just perfect!
Which do you prefer to write in: notebooks or computers?
Oh, computers for sure. Occasionally I will do a short story or something in my notebooks, but I just can't write fast enough to keep up with my flow of thought!
Do you find yourself hoarding notebooks, even if you barely write in them?
...guilty.
Have you ever done something really random or weird in public?
Um... this is kind of weird, I suppose. My friend and I were outside the Smithsonian this summer, and my feet were killing me, so I took off my shoes and walked on the grass next to the sidewalk.
Another time another friend and I were in Disney World and we got bored with all the walking around, so we just randomly broke into song...
Do you keep folders or notebooks full of inspiring quotes or pictures?
Kind of. I have an inspiration board for my costume design, and when I update the pictures on there, I move the old ones into a notebook.
Do you occasionally pause in the middle of a sentence, and dash off to your writing space, over come with a new idea? If so, do you yell 'YES!!!!' as you run?
No, although I have woken up in the middle of the night with an idea that keeps me awake (but not awake enough to get up and write about it.)
What is your favorite song at the moment?
I just got the Brave soundtrack, so that's kind of been on repeat a lot. ;)
Is your hair brown? (okay, I ran out of ideas for questions. So sue me.)
*looks shifty* Why do you want to know?
Okay readers, your turn. Answer any of the questions above (seriously, I'd love to know), or throw some new ones at me. Anything writing related is game! (But I can't divulge details about the Ruah Chronicles... sorry!)
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Doctor Who: "The Snowmen"
SPOILER WARNING SPOILER WARNING SPOILER WARNING
Once Upon a Time...
... there was a lonely man, far from home, who had lost all his dear ones and couldn't bear to love and loose again.
... there were three friends, outcasts of society yet confident individuals, who yearned to help the lonely man find a purpose again.
... there was a curious and intrepid young woman who could fit into two worlds, and was determined to get the lonely man to answer her questions and save the world.
I absolutely loved "The Snowmen." Like all Doctor Who it has its shortcomings, but overall it was a very strong Christmas episode. I loved the return of Madam Vastra, Jenny, and Strax. I loved that they were set up last season, so that it doesn't seem out of the blue now that the Doctor does have some loyal friends, even if he thinks he's lost all. And they're all such marvelous personalities...
But they can't compare to Clara. She's brilliant, bold, clever, and funny (although not without caution and common sense!). She is exactly what the Doctor needs after loosing the Ponds, a fact which he realizes against all of his better sense. And then she dies.
I honestly did not see that one coming. I knew we wouldn't get a clear answer on the Clara/Oswin Oswald connection for awhile yet, but I didn't expect Victorian Clara to be a different person from Modern Day Clara! Or is she? What is going on? Is she some sort of cloned intelligence? Another manifestation of the Flesh? Some fans are speculating that she is a time lord like River Song or Romana regenerated... others think she might be Jack Harkness's daughter. I like the Flesh hypothesis the best, but I think the Doctor would have picked up on that right away.
It's an intriguing mystery, and frustrating that we have to wait until spring to learn more, but "The Snowmen" holds enough goodness to stand on its own. Matt Smith gets a chance to be grumpy and quirky in a way that seems particularily reminiscent of some of the earliest Doctors... a fact which is underlined by the numerous references to classic who, from the revision of the title sequence to the Tardis's new interior - which is terribly similar to it's earliest on-screen incarnations. And even the villain, "The Great Intelligence" is a classic Who entity (for more info, check out the Wiki synopsis!)
And then there are the literary references, with clearly stated allusions to Sherlock Holmes, and less verbal but still delightfully front and center allusions to Mary Poppins (has Moffat been reading our tumblrs???).
For me it was an episode full of favorite moments. I love the visuals of Clara climbing the staircase... I love the humor... I love the "One word answer" challenge, and I absolutely adore the banter between Clara and the Doctor. In fact, although I am 100% a Doctor/River shipper, and prior to yesterday had absolutely no intention of shipping the Doctor and Clara, ever... I can't deny that there is some crazy chemistry there. I do hope they're going to handle it right, as - despite chemistry - we don't need another Rose situation. And even though the villains were somewhat underplayed... I think that was appropriate for a Christmas special.
I think Clara is going to be a fascinating companion to watch, and "The Snowmen" is going to rank right up there with "A Christmas Carol" in terms of popularity.
Once Upon a Time...
... there was a lonely man, far from home, who had lost all his dear ones and couldn't bear to love and loose again.
... there were three friends, outcasts of society yet confident individuals, who yearned to help the lonely man find a purpose again.
... there was a curious and intrepid young woman who could fit into two worlds, and was determined to get the lonely man to answer her questions and save the world.
I absolutely loved "The Snowmen." Like all Doctor Who it has its shortcomings, but overall it was a very strong Christmas episode. I loved the return of Madam Vastra, Jenny, and Strax. I loved that they were set up last season, so that it doesn't seem out of the blue now that the Doctor does have some loyal friends, even if he thinks he's lost all. And they're all such marvelous personalities...
But they can't compare to Clara. She's brilliant, bold, clever, and funny (although not without caution and common sense!). She is exactly what the Doctor needs after loosing the Ponds, a fact which he realizes against all of his better sense. And then she dies.
I honestly did not see that one coming. I knew we wouldn't get a clear answer on the Clara/Oswin Oswald connection for awhile yet, but I didn't expect Victorian Clara to be a different person from Modern Day Clara! Or is she? What is going on? Is she some sort of cloned intelligence? Another manifestation of the Flesh? Some fans are speculating that she is a time lord like River Song or Romana regenerated... others think she might be Jack Harkness's daughter. I like the Flesh hypothesis the best, but I think the Doctor would have picked up on that right away.
It's an intriguing mystery, and frustrating that we have to wait until spring to learn more, but "The Snowmen" holds enough goodness to stand on its own. Matt Smith gets a chance to be grumpy and quirky in a way that seems particularily reminiscent of some of the earliest Doctors... a fact which is underlined by the numerous references to classic who, from the revision of the title sequence to the Tardis's new interior - which is terribly similar to it's earliest on-screen incarnations. And even the villain, "The Great Intelligence" is a classic Who entity (for more info, check out the Wiki synopsis!)
And then there are the literary references, with clearly stated allusions to Sherlock Holmes, and less verbal but still delightfully front and center allusions to Mary Poppins (has Moffat been reading our tumblrs???).
For me it was an episode full of favorite moments. I love the visuals of Clara climbing the staircase... I love the humor... I love the "One word answer" challenge, and I absolutely adore the banter between Clara and the Doctor. In fact, although I am 100% a Doctor/River shipper, and prior to yesterday had absolutely no intention of shipping the Doctor and Clara, ever... I can't deny that there is some crazy chemistry there. I do hope they're going to handle it right, as - despite chemistry - we don't need another Rose situation. And even though the villains were somewhat underplayed... I think that was appropriate for a Christmas special.
I think Clara is going to be a fascinating companion to watch, and "The Snowmen" is going to rank right up there with "A Christmas Carol" in terms of popularity.
Downton Abbey 2012 Christmas Special
I'd better state this before you even think about scrolling down - there are spoilers in this post. If you haven't watched the episode, don't read it, even if you have somehow heard the biggest spoiler.
Which really wouldn't be that surprising, as the British papers have been pretty vocal about it. There's almost no way to be an American, on the internet, and remain an unspoiled Downton Abbey Fan. But do try, please!
*spoilers below*
I'll admit, I was nervous when I heard that this special would be taking place at Rose's house. I hadn't been thrilled with Rose's character during the earlier episodes and wasn't keen on seeing more of her. However, her character was handled well and the actress was given a chance to really prove her acting chops, which turn out to be quite formidable. Plus, her relationship with her parents and theirs with each other was well written, and both her father and mother were well cast. And at the end it becomes quite clear that Rose is about to become a season regular, bringing fresh youth to the show that lost it's most passionate young bloom this year.
Lord and Lady Grantham remain background figures, but do well in very supporting roles. We didn't see nearly enough of Cousin Violet, but her bits, as always, are priceless.
The dialogue faltered at a few places, particularly during Edith's lines, and it seemed strongly to me to be poor writing, not poor acting. Which is a pity because Edith is brilliant when given decent stuff to do. This whole 'mad wife' editor proposing for her to be his mistress storyline is just frustrating. Seriously, Edith?
Anna and Bates finally got a chance to just be sweet and in love... not dealing with manipulations, downstairs politics, or prison sentences. It was a refreshing change, especially to see Anna looking young and happy again.
It was also enjoyable to see the servants having fun as well, although I'm furious with Mrs. Patmore's slimy suitor. Thankfully the lady is made of stronger stuff than to be laid low by his duplicity!
I'm also glad with the resolution of the Thomas/Jimmy storyline. It allowed them both to show their maturity, and reach a compromise wherein they can live in the same house and even have a solid friendship.
Alfred and Daisy should get married and start a restaurant. Just saying.
Edna... I feel like she was only thrown in there to give Branson something to do. Poor Tom. He just sat around being confused the whole episode. Although it was lovely to see him with little Sybbie... though nothing can compare to the cuteness of Carson playing nursemaid!
And now I have to turn to the best and worst of the episode.
Mary was a beautiful, serene, mother-to-be. It was delightful to see her and Matthew together, anticipating the birth of their child. And then, a happy birth, with no complications... a son and heir! All was right with the world. In my mind, I want to think the show ended there. Some storylines unresolved... but with hope for the future.
And then they killed Matthew.
No warning, except that he was driving too fast, and those of us who had heard rumors of Dan Stevens leaving the show got suddenly suspicious...
Let's be honest here. Sure, Dan has a right to go and do what he wants with his career, and three years probably was as long as he wanted to do Downton.
BUT. His character was one of the most central figures, and certainly the most pivotal. If you'd asked me which characters could not, under any circumstances leave the show, I would have answered Matthew or Mary.
For Dan to leave, now, with such a sudden resolution, really leaves the show in a bind. We already lost Sybil, now Matthew is gone, and with it are two of the most beloved, sweet, admirable characters on the show. I have no doubt they can and will carry on with another season or two, but the show will loose some of it's luster, and already has lost fans. I'm not the only viewer who feels that Steven's move shows a lack of consideration for his co-stars, who have to carry on without him.
Of course, they will manage. In real life, people die, and we carry on. Mary will manage, as Branson has (perhaps they even will together, as some fans speculate). Still, to have such a violent, unexpected death on the Christmas Special is jarring and just plain cruel to the fans.
I will keep watching because I care about the other characters. I love them all, and I'm looking forwards to the addition of Rose to the cast. But it's a grim day. I first started watching the show because of Dan Stevens (who I loved in "Sense and Sensibility") and it will be hard to watch a Downton without him.
Which really wouldn't be that surprising, as the British papers have been pretty vocal about it. There's almost no way to be an American, on the internet, and remain an unspoiled Downton Abbey Fan. But do try, please!
*spoilers below*
I'll admit, I was nervous when I heard that this special would be taking place at Rose's house. I hadn't been thrilled with Rose's character during the earlier episodes and wasn't keen on seeing more of her. However, her character was handled well and the actress was given a chance to really prove her acting chops, which turn out to be quite formidable. Plus, her relationship with her parents and theirs with each other was well written, and both her father and mother were well cast. And at the end it becomes quite clear that Rose is about to become a season regular, bringing fresh youth to the show that lost it's most passionate young bloom this year.
Lord and Lady Grantham remain background figures, but do well in very supporting roles. We didn't see nearly enough of Cousin Violet, but her bits, as always, are priceless.
The dialogue faltered at a few places, particularly during Edith's lines, and it seemed strongly to me to be poor writing, not poor acting. Which is a pity because Edith is brilliant when given decent stuff to do. This whole 'mad wife' editor proposing for her to be his mistress storyline is just frustrating. Seriously, Edith?
Anna and Bates finally got a chance to just be sweet and in love... not dealing with manipulations, downstairs politics, or prison sentences. It was a refreshing change, especially to see Anna looking young and happy again.
It was also enjoyable to see the servants having fun as well, although I'm furious with Mrs. Patmore's slimy suitor. Thankfully the lady is made of stronger stuff than to be laid low by his duplicity!
I'm also glad with the resolution of the Thomas/Jimmy storyline. It allowed them both to show their maturity, and reach a compromise wherein they can live in the same house and even have a solid friendship.
Alfred and Daisy should get married and start a restaurant. Just saying.
Edna... I feel like she was only thrown in there to give Branson something to do. Poor Tom. He just sat around being confused the whole episode. Although it was lovely to see him with little Sybbie... though nothing can compare to the cuteness of Carson playing nursemaid!
And now I have to turn to the best and worst of the episode.
Mary was a beautiful, serene, mother-to-be. It was delightful to see her and Matthew together, anticipating the birth of their child. And then, a happy birth, with no complications... a son and heir! All was right with the world. In my mind, I want to think the show ended there. Some storylines unresolved... but with hope for the future.
And then they killed Matthew.
No warning, except that he was driving too fast, and those of us who had heard rumors of Dan Stevens leaving the show got suddenly suspicious...
Let's be honest here. Sure, Dan has a right to go and do what he wants with his career, and three years probably was as long as he wanted to do Downton.
BUT. His character was one of the most central figures, and certainly the most pivotal. If you'd asked me which characters could not, under any circumstances leave the show, I would have answered Matthew or Mary.
For Dan to leave, now, with such a sudden resolution, really leaves the show in a bind. We already lost Sybil, now Matthew is gone, and with it are two of the most beloved, sweet, admirable characters on the show. I have no doubt they can and will carry on with another season or two, but the show will loose some of it's luster, and already has lost fans. I'm not the only viewer who feels that Steven's move shows a lack of consideration for his co-stars, who have to carry on without him.
Of course, they will manage. In real life, people die, and we carry on. Mary will manage, as Branson has (perhaps they even will together, as some fans speculate). Still, to have such a violent, unexpected death on the Christmas Special is jarring and just plain cruel to the fans.
I will keep watching because I care about the other characters. I love them all, and I'm looking forwards to the addition of Rose to the cast. But it's a grim day. I first started watching the show because of Dan Stevens (who I loved in "Sense and Sensibility") and it will be hard to watch a Downton without him.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
I was interviewed!
Hannah at "Ink and Paper Dreams" hosted an interview with me on writing, particularly juggling writing with work and/or school. I think it turned out well, and should be interesting/helpful to other aspiring writers out there.
Read it here.
(I actually really enjoy doing interviews, so don't be shy to send a request my way if you'd like to feature another viewpoint on a topic that you've seen me blog about. You can contact me at elenatintil [at] gmail [dot] com.)
Read it here.
(I actually really enjoy doing interviews, so don't be shy to send a request my way if you'd like to feature another viewpoint on a topic that you've seen me blog about. You can contact me at elenatintil [at] gmail [dot] com.)
American Girl Dolls get Hearing Aids - at Last!
My first introduction to American Girl Dolls came over 15 years ago. Back then there were just five dolls: Felicity, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha and Molly. No American Girl of Today, no Best Friends, no tie in books, no self-help books, no magazine. Just those original five dolls and their books in a well-loved catalog. Because of my strong Swedish heritage, my first doll was Kirsten and I absolutely adored her. Later on Felicity and Josefina would join her, as would one American Girl of Today doll. Like most girls of that time, I picked out the "Today" doll that looked most like me (and there were not nearly as many options back then!). Brown hair, blue eyes... and a pair of glasses. She was totally me.
Except she didn't have hearing aids.
By the time I got my "Elizabeth" doll, I'd been wearing hearing aids for about five years, and knew I would wear them for the rest of my life. Although I lived in the hearing community, my deafness was never very far from our minds. One year for Halloween we even carved my pumpkin with hearing aids! So, understandably, I was sad that I couldn't have aids for my doll.
If you've never looked closely at an American Girl Doll's ears, you're going to have to take my word for it that there is no way to easily make an aid that will sit on the ear... there just isn't enough 'lip' on the lobe or 'depth' in the ear canal to keep it on, especially as played with by a child. So even though I've always wanted aids, I understood that there was not an 'easy fix.'
Imagine my delight and surprise when this appeared in my facebook page yesterday!
You have to send your doll in to receive a special piercing behind her earlobe to hold the aid on. This doesn't surprise me in the least, and I'm thrilled that girls today will have the option of getting an aid (or two) for their dolls! I do hope they offer more colors, however, as I'm sure there are many girls that would prefer blue, purple or green! (I'd go ahead and get them myself if they came in a skin color).
I've always been impressed by AG's doll hospital, which is a must when a single doll costs over $100. They do truly mean for their dolls to be heirloom keepsakes after a childhood of hard play and have gone through a lot of work to make this feasible. My three dolls (Kirsten became my sister's - long story) still are displayed in my room, and once in a while I'll still make new clothes for them (Felicity became Jean Grey this year).
Anyhow, long story short, I am delighted by this new option, as well as another new disability sensitive offering - dolls without hair.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Changing Hearts
I feel that writing about anything would come across as trite after the shootings in Connecticut yesterday.
So I'm going to take this post to extend my prayers and sympathy to the victims, their families and their community. I can only imagine the grief, fear, and questions they must be dealing with right now. May God be with them.
It is when we see these things happen that we feel the call in our heart to raise a better generation. To be there for our friends, to raise up our children, to share the love of Christ, so that lonely, mentally ill people will not resort to these horrific acts for attention or revenge. This statement isn't about changing laws, it's about changing hearts.
So I'm going to take this post to extend my prayers and sympathy to the victims, their families and their community. I can only imagine the grief, fear, and questions they must be dealing with right now. May God be with them.
It is when we see these things happen that we feel the call in our heart to raise a better generation. To be there for our friends, to raise up our children, to share the love of Christ, so that lonely, mentally ill people will not resort to these horrific acts for attention or revenge. This statement isn't about changing laws, it's about changing hearts.
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