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Link to the person who tagged you. <--Jodi did...I'm too lazy atm to link.
Paste these rules on your blog post.
Respond to the following prompts (in bold).
Add a prompt of your own and answer it.
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1) The best investment you ever made:
Financially, either my car or my PC business.
Generally, people. I love investing myself--my time, my energy, my love--in people. I am rich with the rewards.
2) If you could’ve written any book, directed any movie, and composed any song, which three would you pick:
Book: Anne of Green Gables. If I was an author, I'd want to be L.M. Montgomery.
Movie: Sleepless in Seattle. It's an icon.
Song: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Classic, but I have to wonder if I could have written better words. ;)
3) Weirdest quirk:
I love owning shoes, but hate wearing them. There will occasionally be a trail of my shoes throughout the house because I take them off as soon as I can and don't always put them away. In the summer I either never wear shoes or I take my sandals off at the first opportunity. My feet need to be free!!!
4) One wish immediately granted:
To be making enough with PC and the preschool to allow Jeremy to only have 1 job and be home more.
5) Most expensive hobby:
Oh definitely shopping. My only hobby that requires money to be spent. :P
6) An inexhaustible gift-card at which store:
TJ Maxx. There is ALWAYS something I want in that store.
7) In another lifetime, you’d be:
A famous soprano, author, and talented decorator with 5 kids and a big house with furniture from Pier 1. ;)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Victoria story updated
Here is my writing course assignment 7. It's an edit of my assignment 4--"Victoria, Queen of the World". My advisor thinks this is my best piece, so I may actually try to do something with it. :) Three more assignments, then I'm DONE! Finally! (It's just sad those 3 more assignments will probably take 6 months to complete with all the time given for editing and mailing back and forth. Ah well. The end is near!!!
Without further ado, "Victoria, Queen of the World".
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a princess? Some girls think that princesses sit around all day playing with a golden ball or singing and dancing. Other girls think that princesses are always beautiful and live happily ever after. Two hundred years ago there was a princess who wrote about her life in a journal, just like you may keep a diary today. Her name was Victoria, and though she would grow up to be a famous queen, she first had to survive the “Kensington System”.
Her Royal Highness Alexandrina Victoria was born May 24, 1819. Her father was Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and her mother was Princess Victoria Mary Louisa, Duchess of Kent. Her mother called her “Drina” because she was small and Alexandrina is a very long name!
Princess Drina’s childhood was not happy. Drina lived in London in a castle called Kensington Palace with her mother and Baroness Louise Lehzen. Her father died when she was a baby. Sir John Conroy, her mother’s advisor—someone who gives advice and manages the money—also lived in the palace with his family. The princess loved the Baroness (she called her “Lehzen”, pronounced “Letz-en”) very much, but she did not like Sir Conroy. He frightened her and Drina’s mother did everything he told her to do.
Drina’s mother was very protective. She and Sir Conroy set up the “Kensington System”, a strict set of rules that Drina had to obey. She was not allowed to be in a room by herself, she had to hold someone’s hand to go up or down the steps, and she had to share a room with her mother until she was eighteen! She did not know many children, except Sir Conroy’s, so she often had to play by herself or with Baroness Lehzen. She did not go to school with other children and her mother and Sir Conroy chose who she could play with. Princess Drina did not like the “Kensington System” so sometimes she would be disobedient on purpose. She would refuse to do her schoolwork, not listen to Sir Conroy, and be rude to her mother.
Even though Drina did not go to school, she still had lessons every day. Her mother and Baroness Lehzen, chose what she would study. The Baroness was her governess, a lady who lives with and teaches children who do not go to school. She also had tutors for some subjects, like mathematics, history, dancing, and religion. She wrote letters to her uncle Leopold too, telling him what she was learning. Leopold was the King of Belgium. He wanted to make sure that England, when Drina was queen, would continue to help his country.
Drina studied history, geography, and arithmetic as well as drawing, music, and the Bible. Girls did not study science when she was growing up. By the time she was eighteen Drina could speak and write in German, English, and French. She enjoyed reading books, playing the piano, and going to the theater. She also loved playing with her spaniel, Dash. The princess loved to draw and write, which was one reason why she kept a journal about her life. Sometimes she would add drawings, or illustrate, her entries. She continued to keep a journal, or diary, for the rest of her life!
Members of the royal family did not have jobs like your parents. The palace Drina lived in, including almost everything in it, belonged to her uncle the king. She and her mother were given an allowance to pay for their clothes, food, and to help take care of Kensington Palace.
When Drina was eleven, her uncle—King George the Fourth—died. Her other uncle, William, became the new king because George and his wife had no children. King William and Queen Adelaide did not have children either, so Princess Drina became “heir apparent”, meaning she would be the next ruler. Now her life was not so quiet and boring.
As “heir apparent” she was suddenly very important! Her uncles, King Leopold and King William, wanted her to study more about history and government so she would know how to be a good queen. Sir Conroy, though, did not want her to study because he thought she was too young to rule a country. He wanted her to sign a regency order which would give him and her mother the power to make the decisions. The princess did not want him telling her what to do when she was queen. She knew she could rule on her own. The young princess also decided that she did not want to be called Drina anymore. She thought it was childish and preferred her middle name, Victoria. Now she was called Her Royal Highness, Princess Victoria.
Victoria turned eighteen on May 24, 1837. She could now legally rule on her own without the help of Sir Conroy or her mother. There would be no regency. In her journal she wrote “Today is my 18th birthday! How old! And yet how far am I from being what I should be. I shall from this day…strive to become every day…more fit for what, if Heaven will it, I’m someday to be!” She met with the Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, to plan what she would need to do once she became queen. As Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne was the leader of Parliament, which makes the laws in Great Britain. As queen, Victoria needed to work with the members of Parliament to accomplish her goals for improving the lives of her people.
Three weeks after Victoria’s birthday, her uncle William died. Princess Victoria was now Her Majesty, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland! Once she was queen, Victoria told her mother she would have her own bedroom and meet with her advisors alone, both things she was never allowed to do under the “Kensington System”. She and her mother moved into Buckingham Palace, which had just been finished, and Victoria quickly banished Sir Conroy from the Royal Court, ending his control over her forever.
Sidebar: June 28, 1838 was Victoria’s coronation where she was formally crowned queen. She ruled Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, India, and parts of Africa and the Caribbean for 64 years. She is the longest reigning British monarch. She and her husband, Prince Albert, had nine children, 40 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren. Her great-great granddaughter, Elizabeth, is the Queen of the United Kingdom today. Queen Victoria died January 22, 1901 when she was 81 years old. Little Princess Drina had grown up to be the most powerful woman in the world!
Without further ado, "Victoria, Queen of the World".
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a princess? Some girls think that princesses sit around all day playing with a golden ball or singing and dancing. Other girls think that princesses are always beautiful and live happily ever after. Two hundred years ago there was a princess who wrote about her life in a journal, just like you may keep a diary today. Her name was Victoria, and though she would grow up to be a famous queen, she first had to survive the “Kensington System”.
Her Royal Highness Alexandrina Victoria was born May 24, 1819. Her father was Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and her mother was Princess Victoria Mary Louisa, Duchess of Kent. Her mother called her “Drina” because she was small and Alexandrina is a very long name!
Princess Drina’s childhood was not happy. Drina lived in London in a castle called Kensington Palace with her mother and Baroness Louise Lehzen. Her father died when she was a baby. Sir John Conroy, her mother’s advisor—someone who gives advice and manages the money—also lived in the palace with his family. The princess loved the Baroness (she called her “Lehzen”, pronounced “Letz-en”) very much, but she did not like Sir Conroy. He frightened her and Drina’s mother did everything he told her to do.
Drina’s mother was very protective. She and Sir Conroy set up the “Kensington System”, a strict set of rules that Drina had to obey. She was not allowed to be in a room by herself, she had to hold someone’s hand to go up or down the steps, and she had to share a room with her mother until she was eighteen! She did not know many children, except Sir Conroy’s, so she often had to play by herself or with Baroness Lehzen. She did not go to school with other children and her mother and Sir Conroy chose who she could play with. Princess Drina did not like the “Kensington System” so sometimes she would be disobedient on purpose. She would refuse to do her schoolwork, not listen to Sir Conroy, and be rude to her mother.
Even though Drina did not go to school, she still had lessons every day. Her mother and Baroness Lehzen, chose what she would study. The Baroness was her governess, a lady who lives with and teaches children who do not go to school. She also had tutors for some subjects, like mathematics, history, dancing, and religion. She wrote letters to her uncle Leopold too, telling him what she was learning. Leopold was the King of Belgium. He wanted to make sure that England, when Drina was queen, would continue to help his country.
Drina studied history, geography, and arithmetic as well as drawing, music, and the Bible. Girls did not study science when she was growing up. By the time she was eighteen Drina could speak and write in German, English, and French. She enjoyed reading books, playing the piano, and going to the theater. She also loved playing with her spaniel, Dash. The princess loved to draw and write, which was one reason why she kept a journal about her life. Sometimes she would add drawings, or illustrate, her entries. She continued to keep a journal, or diary, for the rest of her life!
Members of the royal family did not have jobs like your parents. The palace Drina lived in, including almost everything in it, belonged to her uncle the king. She and her mother were given an allowance to pay for their clothes, food, and to help take care of Kensington Palace.
When Drina was eleven, her uncle—King George the Fourth—died. Her other uncle, William, became the new king because George and his wife had no children. King William and Queen Adelaide did not have children either, so Princess Drina became “heir apparent”, meaning she would be the next ruler. Now her life was not so quiet and boring.
As “heir apparent” she was suddenly very important! Her uncles, King Leopold and King William, wanted her to study more about history and government so she would know how to be a good queen. Sir Conroy, though, did not want her to study because he thought she was too young to rule a country. He wanted her to sign a regency order which would give him and her mother the power to make the decisions. The princess did not want him telling her what to do when she was queen. She knew she could rule on her own. The young princess also decided that she did not want to be called Drina anymore. She thought it was childish and preferred her middle name, Victoria. Now she was called Her Royal Highness, Princess Victoria.
Victoria turned eighteen on May 24, 1837. She could now legally rule on her own without the help of Sir Conroy or her mother. There would be no regency. In her journal she wrote “Today is my 18th birthday! How old! And yet how far am I from being what I should be. I shall from this day…strive to become every day…more fit for what, if Heaven will it, I’m someday to be!” She met with the Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, to plan what she would need to do once she became queen. As Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne was the leader of Parliament, which makes the laws in Great Britain. As queen, Victoria needed to work with the members of Parliament to accomplish her goals for improving the lives of her people.
Three weeks after Victoria’s birthday, her uncle William died. Princess Victoria was now Her Majesty, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland! Once she was queen, Victoria told her mother she would have her own bedroom and meet with her advisors alone, both things she was never allowed to do under the “Kensington System”. She and her mother moved into Buckingham Palace, which had just been finished, and Victoria quickly banished Sir Conroy from the Royal Court, ending his control over her forever.
Sidebar: June 28, 1838 was Victoria’s coronation where she was formally crowned queen. She ruled Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, India, and parts of Africa and the Caribbean for 64 years. She is the longest reigning British monarch. She and her husband, Prince Albert, had nine children, 40 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren. Her great-great granddaughter, Elizabeth, is the Queen of the United Kingdom today. Queen Victoria died January 22, 1901 when she was 81 years old. Little Princess Drina had grown up to be the most powerful woman in the world!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Dawn Treader Review ::Spoilers::
This is the note I posted on Facebook concerning The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Just posting it here for posterity. ;)
Today I went to see the latest movie of the Chronicles of Narnia, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Voyage is the 3rd movie in the series, based on the 3rd book in the series, 5th chronologically. I have been following the progress of this film since Prince Caspian came out and I realized that unless a miracle occurred, these films were going to get progressively worse. To start my review, let me just say that the changes to Prince Caspian were understandable and the changes to LWW were incredibly minor compared to the changes that have been made to Voyage. Let me also say, I have heard every argument as to why the changes "had" to be made in order to make the book into a decent movie. I've even heard Douglas Gresham tell fans that when they see it 120 times it will make perfect sense. I love Narnia. Voyage is one of my very favorite books. I have no intention of seeing this movie 120 times in my lifetime.
Some of the reasons for the changes:
No flesh-and-blood villain. So they added this green mist and made Dark Island more sinister. Result? Still no flesh-and-blood villiian, the White Witch seems more powerful after death than she is in reality (dead and not powerful at all), most people will have no idea what the green mist signifies anyway unless they are told, and everyone thinks that this is some kind of forshadowing for the Lady of the Green Kirtle, especially those out there who think she and the WW are one and the same. They're not. They're just both evil witches who use their looks to snare little princes. End of connection.
No danger, hence no clear reason for Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace to be there. Result: this additional back-story of the 7 swords given by Aslan to protect Narnia. What?! This supposedly happened in the Golden Age, but E and L seem to have no memory of it. And why would Caspian's father entrust the swords to his 7 lords when Telmarines didn't believe in Aslan to begin with? Yeah. Writers, your backstory needs help. Lewis says in the book that Caspian would never have left Narnia if it was in any way in danger. And there's some kind of green evil mist trying to take over the world? Right.
Traveling from island to island is boring and it won't make a good movie. Hmm. Let's compare.
Book: Lucy, Edmund, and Eustace end up in Narnia on board the Dawn Treader.
Movie: This part was just about right. I'd have to be very particular, which I'm really not, to find fault with it. As soon as you meet Eustace you know he's the most perfect Eustace you could have asked for. As Jeremy put it at the beginning "I already hate him". I truly have no issue with the movie until they reach the first island.
Book: They reach the Lone Islands where they are abducted by pirates. Caspian is sold to this rich guy and the rest go to thr auction block. The rich guy ends up being one of the lords and helps Caspian free his friends and re-take the Lone Islands in a fabulous display of might and glory. Gov. Gumpas provides the humor.
Movie: The Lone IslandS, Plural. In the movie I only see one. An incredibly run-down and creepy place where slavers tryrannize the townsfolk and send boatloads of them to the green mist as a sacrifice and sell the others to Calormen. No glorious display of Caspian's rule. No tricking Governor Gumpas into thinking he had tons more ships and was here to forcibly re-take the islands. Lord Bern is a decrepit old man in the dungeons, not a rich lord who lives there because he fell in love with a local girl and decided to sail no more. Drinian and the crew had to come on land and rescue Caspian and everyone else because Bern was more helpless than they were. And no Gov. Gumpas. I sincerely missed his Sufficiency. He amused me.
Oh and I'll deal with the addition of Gael and her father later.
Book: On returning to ship they get in a really bad storm and end up on an island where Eustace gets turned into a dragon, they find their second lord, and Eustace meets Aslan.
Movie: The next island is the Island of Voices which gets the gist of it right, but in a completely weird way. If you're going to tell the same story, why change it? Just making more work for yourselves re-writing the book. My main issue with this part--besides the ridiculous scenery--is Coriakin. He seems to know everything with that crazy map of his. In the book he creates maps for them based on what they've seen SO FAR. Here he pretty much just tells us what all is going to happen next. This is the problem, this is the solution, here's your destination, go for it. So why hasn't someone else done it long ago if it's so simple? I prefer the book Coriakin mending their ship (the tail of the dragon), laughing at the Dufflepuds, and saying bon voyage but I have no idea where you're going or what you'll find. Have a good trip. Much more scope for the imagination that way.
Book: Next is the sea serpent where Eustace tries to show valour and helps defeat the serpent. Then they reach the island where the water turns things to gold. Edmund and Caspian get in a fight. Lucy sees Aslan. Next island (whiich does NOT look like something from Alice in Wonderland meets Willy Wonka), Lucy reads the Book of Spells, deals with the temptation of looking like Susan, meets the Dufflepuds, etc.
Movie: They combined Dragon Island and Goldwater Island, which does make sense since they both have gold and it does speed things up a little. So my only problem here is Eustace staying a dragon. And the whole bit about the Blue Star. And Eustace the dragon being able to fly the whole way to the island, which Lewis says in the book wasn't an option because even dragons have to rest somewhere sometimes.
But let me tell you what I DID like so far:
Reepicheep. Sheer perfection. His interactions with Eustace bring the book to life. Love it. And what he tells Eustace the dragon that night...A great nod to the book readers to know what a hero Eustace will become in SC and TLB. I loved his line about his tail. "Aslan gave me this tail. No one touches the tail. No one." (paraphrased)
Eustace. Everything from his diary, to his lines, to his facial expressions. Perfect casting there.
Edmund and Lucy. Always my favorites.
Caspian. I like him much more in this one than in PC. I didn't want to smack him at all in this one. No stupid crushes. No silly lines. Definitely not a childish. Much improved.
Eustace the dragon. Good job movie people. You can make a good dragon.
The Dawn Treader herself. PERFECTION. It's like the book on screen. Beautiful.
Dufflepuds. They sounded right, they acted right, they looked right. They were just on a weird island with a guy impersonating Coriakin. ;)
OK, back to the review. From here till almost the end I was simply lost, watching a movie that reminded me of Voyage because I knew it was supposed to be Voyage, but it wasn't.
Let's review. Three of the seven lords are accounted for: Bern, Octesian, and Restimar. They have 3 of the 7 swords. Eustace is still a dragon. Coriakin told them to sail to Ramandu's Island to lay the 7 swords on Aslan's Table to stop the green mist and free the people trapped at Dark Island. Here's a good place to mention the addition of Rhince and Gael. Now book readers will recognize the name Rhince since he's actually a character in the book. Though in the book he's Narnian and part of the ship's crew from the start. In the movie he's a citizen of the Lone Islands whose wife is taken as part of the "sacrifice" to the green mist. So she's ended up on Dark Island, so we assume, and he's joined the ship's company. Their daughter Gael stowed away on board, so she's there too hoping to find her mother. This gives an additional reason to finish the quest and also gives Lucy a chance to be all motherly/big sistery. Lucy has ripped out a page of the Magician's Book and apparently hasn't resolved her need to look like Susan until a talk with Aslan finally puts her to rights. Yes, the morals of the book are all there in the movie in plain sight, but my thought here is that Lewis didn't write like that. His books all had a moral or several, but they were woven through a good story without the need to spell it out in specific lines. I felt this movie had too many of those specific lines as if we had to be told that there was a lesson to be learned and we're going to make sure you learn it.
So some how Eustace, still a dragon, is able to fly alongside and later PULL the Dawn Treader to Ramandu's Island. Pretty strong dragon. When they get there they find 3 more lords at Aslan's Table. I won't go into this part because it's book-accurate mostly. I only have ONE problem. Two if you count this ridiculous green mist and the fact you can see Dark Island from Ramandu's. My one problem is this: there's no Ramandu on Ramandu's Island. Instead there's a girl who we book readers know is Ramandu's daughter, but in the movie she's a blue star who welcomes them and says "I've been your guide" and then proceeds to tell them what to do next. She's NOT a star. She's NOT supposed to glow like Claire Danes in Stardust. They're not SUPPOSED to have a guide, except maybe Aslan. And there's only talk of swords and dark magic islands, nothing about the lords grabbing up the knife which was not to be touched (just that conflict is not allowed at the table), fairy tale princesses who can be kissed to break the spell (in this story the spell needs to be broken so the princess can be kissed), or that the table is replenished each dawn after being eaten by the birds from the sun. As I mentioned, there's no Ramandu at all! :(
So then they go off to Dark Island and everything that hasn't happened yet happens (the Sea Serpent and the rescue of lord Rhoop, not to mention Eustace's chance at valour and his transformation back into being a boy), it just seems to take a lot longer.
I DO like that Caspian and Edmund aren't squabbling, that Caspian gives Edmund Peter's sword, the acting of lord Rhoop (perfect), and the albatross.
I didn't like that it didn't show the albatross to be Aslan with the words "Courage, dear heart". Lucy using Susan's bow and arrows was an interesting touch. I'm tired of the WW. Edmund was right. She's dead. At least in this one she was only in Edmund's imagination, but her presence frustrates me because it makes her seem more powerful than she is or should be.
Which is also a problem I have with the destruction of Dark Island. In the movie, they destroy it by putting all 7 swords on the Table. In the book, ASLAN destroys it because they (mainly Lucy) cry out to him for help.
Alrighty, time for the ending. I won't go into detail, but I liked the ending so I'm just going to say what was done right.
--Reepicheep going to Aslan's Country.
--The wave. Just like I pictured it.
--They DIRECTLY QUOTE the BOOK!!!!! (""There I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.")
--The lilies! :)
--Eustace's little blurb at the end about how his relationship with his cousins improved.
Parts that weren't quite right, but whatever:
--While Caspian did have a moment where he considered going to Aslan's Country, he never stood on ship and told them he wasn't going back. Also, no mention of Ramandu's daughter was made, which I found to be interesting considering she's supposed to marry Caspian.
--The children leave by traveling through a tunnel in the wall of water.. In the book, it's a hole in the sky.
Neither of these are that big of a deal compared to the rest of the movie's plot.
So there's my review. I give it 3 out of 5 stars because of the plot changes. While I'm excited about The Silver Chair being made into a movie, I am terrified of the changes that will be made to THAT. If a ship voyage to the Eastern Edge of the World isn't dramatic enough, what will they do with a walk on foot through the Western Wilds with 2 kids and a marshwiggle?
At least it can't end up like Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story. They made changes to the time period of Anne of GG and Anne of A, so by the time they made TCS there was nothing to be salvaged from the remaining 3 books and they had to start over with a completely new plot.
Finally, here's my prediction on the order the remaining books will be "adapted" into films:
The Silver Chair
The Horse and His Boy
The Magician's Nephew (which technically can be made at the same time as HAHB since the only character in both is Aslan)
The Last Battle
They just need to make the next 3 quickly so Eustace and Jill aren't too grown up by the time TLB happens. Or they could FILM TLB but not RELEASE it until after the other 3. Wouldn't that be wild?
And that's my review. Feel free to leave comments. :)
Today I went to see the latest movie of the Chronicles of Narnia, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Voyage is the 3rd movie in the series, based on the 3rd book in the series, 5th chronologically. I have been following the progress of this film since Prince Caspian came out and I realized that unless a miracle occurred, these films were going to get progressively worse. To start my review, let me just say that the changes to Prince Caspian were understandable and the changes to LWW were incredibly minor compared to the changes that have been made to Voyage. Let me also say, I have heard every argument as to why the changes "had" to be made in order to make the book into a decent movie. I've even heard Douglas Gresham tell fans that when they see it 120 times it will make perfect sense. I love Narnia. Voyage is one of my very favorite books. I have no intention of seeing this movie 120 times in my lifetime.
Some of the reasons for the changes:
No flesh-and-blood villain. So they added this green mist and made Dark Island more sinister. Result? Still no flesh-and-blood villiian, the White Witch seems more powerful after death than she is in reality (dead and not powerful at all), most people will have no idea what the green mist signifies anyway unless they are told, and everyone thinks that this is some kind of forshadowing for the Lady of the Green Kirtle, especially those out there who think she and the WW are one and the same. They're not. They're just both evil witches who use their looks to snare little princes. End of connection.
No danger, hence no clear reason for Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace to be there. Result: this additional back-story of the 7 swords given by Aslan to protect Narnia. What?! This supposedly happened in the Golden Age, but E and L seem to have no memory of it. And why would Caspian's father entrust the swords to his 7 lords when Telmarines didn't believe in Aslan to begin with? Yeah. Writers, your backstory needs help. Lewis says in the book that Caspian would never have left Narnia if it was in any way in danger. And there's some kind of green evil mist trying to take over the world? Right.
Traveling from island to island is boring and it won't make a good movie. Hmm. Let's compare.
Book: Lucy, Edmund, and Eustace end up in Narnia on board the Dawn Treader.
Movie: This part was just about right. I'd have to be very particular, which I'm really not, to find fault with it. As soon as you meet Eustace you know he's the most perfect Eustace you could have asked for. As Jeremy put it at the beginning "I already hate him". I truly have no issue with the movie until they reach the first island.
Book: They reach the Lone Islands where they are abducted by pirates. Caspian is sold to this rich guy and the rest go to thr auction block. The rich guy ends up being one of the lords and helps Caspian free his friends and re-take the Lone Islands in a fabulous display of might and glory. Gov. Gumpas provides the humor.
Movie: The Lone IslandS, Plural. In the movie I only see one. An incredibly run-down and creepy place where slavers tryrannize the townsfolk and send boatloads of them to the green mist as a sacrifice and sell the others to Calormen. No glorious display of Caspian's rule. No tricking Governor Gumpas into thinking he had tons more ships and was here to forcibly re-take the islands. Lord Bern is a decrepit old man in the dungeons, not a rich lord who lives there because he fell in love with a local girl and decided to sail no more. Drinian and the crew had to come on land and rescue Caspian and everyone else because Bern was more helpless than they were. And no Gov. Gumpas. I sincerely missed his Sufficiency. He amused me.
Oh and I'll deal with the addition of Gael and her father later.
Book: On returning to ship they get in a really bad storm and end up on an island where Eustace gets turned into a dragon, they find their second lord, and Eustace meets Aslan.
Movie: The next island is the Island of Voices which gets the gist of it right, but in a completely weird way. If you're going to tell the same story, why change it? Just making more work for yourselves re-writing the book. My main issue with this part--besides the ridiculous scenery--is Coriakin. He seems to know everything with that crazy map of his. In the book he creates maps for them based on what they've seen SO FAR. Here he pretty much just tells us what all is going to happen next. This is the problem, this is the solution, here's your destination, go for it. So why hasn't someone else done it long ago if it's so simple? I prefer the book Coriakin mending their ship (the tail of the dragon), laughing at the Dufflepuds, and saying bon voyage but I have no idea where you're going or what you'll find. Have a good trip. Much more scope for the imagination that way.
Book: Next is the sea serpent where Eustace tries to show valour and helps defeat the serpent. Then they reach the island where the water turns things to gold. Edmund and Caspian get in a fight. Lucy sees Aslan. Next island (whiich does NOT look like something from Alice in Wonderland meets Willy Wonka), Lucy reads the Book of Spells, deals with the temptation of looking like Susan, meets the Dufflepuds, etc.
Movie: They combined Dragon Island and Goldwater Island, which does make sense since they both have gold and it does speed things up a little. So my only problem here is Eustace staying a dragon. And the whole bit about the Blue Star. And Eustace the dragon being able to fly the whole way to the island, which Lewis says in the book wasn't an option because even dragons have to rest somewhere sometimes.
But let me tell you what I DID like so far:
Reepicheep. Sheer perfection. His interactions with Eustace bring the book to life. Love it. And what he tells Eustace the dragon that night...A great nod to the book readers to know what a hero Eustace will become in SC and TLB. I loved his line about his tail. "Aslan gave me this tail. No one touches the tail. No one." (paraphrased)
Eustace. Everything from his diary, to his lines, to his facial expressions. Perfect casting there.
Edmund and Lucy. Always my favorites.
Caspian. I like him much more in this one than in PC. I didn't want to smack him at all in this one. No stupid crushes. No silly lines. Definitely not a childish. Much improved.
Eustace the dragon. Good job movie people. You can make a good dragon.
The Dawn Treader herself. PERFECTION. It's like the book on screen. Beautiful.
Dufflepuds. They sounded right, they acted right, they looked right. They were just on a weird island with a guy impersonating Coriakin. ;)
OK, back to the review. From here till almost the end I was simply lost, watching a movie that reminded me of Voyage because I knew it was supposed to be Voyage, but it wasn't.
Let's review. Three of the seven lords are accounted for: Bern, Octesian, and Restimar. They have 3 of the 7 swords. Eustace is still a dragon. Coriakin told them to sail to Ramandu's Island to lay the 7 swords on Aslan's Table to stop the green mist and free the people trapped at Dark Island. Here's a good place to mention the addition of Rhince and Gael. Now book readers will recognize the name Rhince since he's actually a character in the book. Though in the book he's Narnian and part of the ship's crew from the start. In the movie he's a citizen of the Lone Islands whose wife is taken as part of the "sacrifice" to the green mist. So she's ended up on Dark Island, so we assume, and he's joined the ship's company. Their daughter Gael stowed away on board, so she's there too hoping to find her mother. This gives an additional reason to finish the quest and also gives Lucy a chance to be all motherly/big sistery. Lucy has ripped out a page of the Magician's Book and apparently hasn't resolved her need to look like Susan until a talk with Aslan finally puts her to rights. Yes, the morals of the book are all there in the movie in plain sight, but my thought here is that Lewis didn't write like that. His books all had a moral or several, but they were woven through a good story without the need to spell it out in specific lines. I felt this movie had too many of those specific lines as if we had to be told that there was a lesson to be learned and we're going to make sure you learn it.
So some how Eustace, still a dragon, is able to fly alongside and later PULL the Dawn Treader to Ramandu's Island. Pretty strong dragon. When they get there they find 3 more lords at Aslan's Table. I won't go into this part because it's book-accurate mostly. I only have ONE problem. Two if you count this ridiculous green mist and the fact you can see Dark Island from Ramandu's. My one problem is this: there's no Ramandu on Ramandu's Island. Instead there's a girl who we book readers know is Ramandu's daughter, but in the movie she's a blue star who welcomes them and says "I've been your guide" and then proceeds to tell them what to do next. She's NOT a star. She's NOT supposed to glow like Claire Danes in Stardust. They're not SUPPOSED to have a guide, except maybe Aslan. And there's only talk of swords and dark magic islands, nothing about the lords grabbing up the knife which was not to be touched (just that conflict is not allowed at the table), fairy tale princesses who can be kissed to break the spell (in this story the spell needs to be broken so the princess can be kissed), or that the table is replenished each dawn after being eaten by the birds from the sun. As I mentioned, there's no Ramandu at all! :(
So then they go off to Dark Island and everything that hasn't happened yet happens (the Sea Serpent and the rescue of lord Rhoop, not to mention Eustace's chance at valour and his transformation back into being a boy), it just seems to take a lot longer.
I DO like that Caspian and Edmund aren't squabbling, that Caspian gives Edmund Peter's sword, the acting of lord Rhoop (perfect), and the albatross.
I didn't like that it didn't show the albatross to be Aslan with the words "Courage, dear heart". Lucy using Susan's bow and arrows was an interesting touch. I'm tired of the WW. Edmund was right. She's dead. At least in this one she was only in Edmund's imagination, but her presence frustrates me because it makes her seem more powerful than she is or should be.
Which is also a problem I have with the destruction of Dark Island. In the movie, they destroy it by putting all 7 swords on the Table. In the book, ASLAN destroys it because they (mainly Lucy) cry out to him for help.
Alrighty, time for the ending. I won't go into detail, but I liked the ending so I'm just going to say what was done right.
--Reepicheep going to Aslan's Country.
--The wave. Just like I pictured it.
--They DIRECTLY QUOTE the BOOK!!!!! (""There I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.")
--The lilies! :)
--Eustace's little blurb at the end about how his relationship with his cousins improved.
Parts that weren't quite right, but whatever:
--While Caspian did have a moment where he considered going to Aslan's Country, he never stood on ship and told them he wasn't going back. Also, no mention of Ramandu's daughter was made, which I found to be interesting considering she's supposed to marry Caspian.
--The children leave by traveling through a tunnel in the wall of water.. In the book, it's a hole in the sky.
Neither of these are that big of a deal compared to the rest of the movie's plot.
So there's my review. I give it 3 out of 5 stars because of the plot changes. While I'm excited about The Silver Chair being made into a movie, I am terrified of the changes that will be made to THAT. If a ship voyage to the Eastern Edge of the World isn't dramatic enough, what will they do with a walk on foot through the Western Wilds with 2 kids and a marshwiggle?
At least it can't end up like Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story. They made changes to the time period of Anne of GG and Anne of A, so by the time they made TCS there was nothing to be salvaged from the remaining 3 books and they had to start over with a completely new plot.
Finally, here's my prediction on the order the remaining books will be "adapted" into films:
The Silver Chair
The Horse and His Boy
The Magician's Nephew (which technically can be made at the same time as HAHB since the only character in both is Aslan)
The Last Battle
They just need to make the next 3 quickly so Eustace and Jill aren't too grown up by the time TLB happens. Or they could FILM TLB but not RELEASE it until after the other 3. Wouldn't that be wild?
And that's my review. Feel free to leave comments. :)
Monday, June 14, 2010
Writing Assignment #4!
VICTORIA, QUEEN OF THE WORLD
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a princess? Some girls think that princesses sit around all day playing with a golden ball or singing and dancing. Other girls think that princesses are always beautiful and live happily ever after. Little “Princess Drina” was not like that at all.
Her Royal Highness Alexandrina Victoria was born May 24, 1819. Her father was Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and her mother was Princess Victoria Mary Louisa, Duchess of Kent. Her grandfather, George the Third, was the king. Her mother called her “Drina” because she was small and Alexandrina is a very long name! Princess Drina’s life was not happy very long. Her father died when she was eight months old and her grandfather, King George, died before her first birthday. Her uncle, King George the Fourth, was now the king.
Drina lived in London in a castle called Kensington Palace with her mother and her governess Louise Lehzen. (A governess is a lady who lives with and teaches children who do not go to school.) Sir John Conroy, her mother’s advisor—someone who gives advice and manages the money—also lived in the palace with his family. Drina’s mother was very protective. She and Sir Conroy set up the “Kensington System”, a strict set of rules that Drina had to obey. She was never allowed to be in a room by herself, she had to hold someone’s hand to go up or down the steps, and she had to share a room with her mother. Also, she could not invite friends over to play, visit a friend’s house, or go to school! Princess Drina did not like the “Kensington System” so sometimes she would be disobedient on purpose. She would refuse to do her schoolwork, not listen to Sir Conroy, and be rude to her mother.
Even though Drina did not go to school, she still had lessons every day. Her mother and her governess, Lehzen, chose what she would study. Her uncle Leopold, her mother’s brother, also helped decide what she needed to learn. Drina studied history, geography, and arithmetic as well as drawing, music, and the Bible. Girls did not study science when she was growing up. By the time she was eighteen, Drina could speak and write in German, English, and French. She enjoyed reading books, playing the piano, and going to theater. The princess loved to draw and write, so she began to keep a journal about her life when she was thirteen. Sometimes she would illustrate her entries, meaning she would add her own drawings to show what she had written. She continued to keep a journal, or diary, for the rest of her life!
Though she was a princess, her family did not have a lot of money. Her father was dead and her mother could not work, so they had to depend on her uncle, the king, for money. When Drina was eleven, her uncle—King George the Fourth—died. Her other uncle, William, became the new king because George and his wife had no children. King William and Queen Adelaide did not have children either, so little Princess Drina became “heir apparent”, meaning she would be the next ruler. Now her life was not so quiet and boring. As “heir apparent” she was suddenly very important! Her uncles, Leopold and William, wanted her to study more about history and government so she would know how to be a good queen.
Sir Conroy, though, did not want her to study because he thought she was too young to rule a country. He wanted her mother and him to make the decisions, not Drina. The princess did not like Sir Conroy and did not want him telling her what to do when she was queen. She knew she could rule on her own. Governess Lehzen knew that Drina would be a good queen as well, so she helped her study and taught her how to behave as a queen should. The young princess also decided that she did not want to be called Drina anymore. She thought it was childish and preferred her middle name, Victoria. Now she was called Her Royal Highness, Princess Victoria.
Victoria turned eighteen on May 24, 1837. She could now legally rule on her own without the help of Sir Conroy or her mother. Weeks later, her uncle William died. Princess Victoria was now Her Majesty, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland! June 28, 1838 was Victoria’s coronation where she was formally crowned queen. She ruled Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, India, and parts of Africa and the Caribbean for 64 years. She is the longest reigning British monarch. She and her husband, Albert, had nine children, 40 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren. Her great-great granddaughter, Elizabeth, is the Queen of the United Kingdom today. Queen Victoria died January 22, 1901 when she was 81 years old. Little Princess Drina had grown up to be the most powerful woman in the world.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a princess? Some girls think that princesses sit around all day playing with a golden ball or singing and dancing. Other girls think that princesses are always beautiful and live happily ever after. Little “Princess Drina” was not like that at all.
Her Royal Highness Alexandrina Victoria was born May 24, 1819. Her father was Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and her mother was Princess Victoria Mary Louisa, Duchess of Kent. Her grandfather, George the Third, was the king. Her mother called her “Drina” because she was small and Alexandrina is a very long name! Princess Drina’s life was not happy very long. Her father died when she was eight months old and her grandfather, King George, died before her first birthday. Her uncle, King George the Fourth, was now the king.
Drina lived in London in a castle called Kensington Palace with her mother and her governess Louise Lehzen. (A governess is a lady who lives with and teaches children who do not go to school.) Sir John Conroy, her mother’s advisor—someone who gives advice and manages the money—also lived in the palace with his family. Drina’s mother was very protective. She and Sir Conroy set up the “Kensington System”, a strict set of rules that Drina had to obey. She was never allowed to be in a room by herself, she had to hold someone’s hand to go up or down the steps, and she had to share a room with her mother. Also, she could not invite friends over to play, visit a friend’s house, or go to school! Princess Drina did not like the “Kensington System” so sometimes she would be disobedient on purpose. She would refuse to do her schoolwork, not listen to Sir Conroy, and be rude to her mother.
Even though Drina did not go to school, she still had lessons every day. Her mother and her governess, Lehzen, chose what she would study. Her uncle Leopold, her mother’s brother, also helped decide what she needed to learn. Drina studied history, geography, and arithmetic as well as drawing, music, and the Bible. Girls did not study science when she was growing up. By the time she was eighteen, Drina could speak and write in German, English, and French. She enjoyed reading books, playing the piano, and going to theater. The princess loved to draw and write, so she began to keep a journal about her life when she was thirteen. Sometimes she would illustrate her entries, meaning she would add her own drawings to show what she had written. She continued to keep a journal, or diary, for the rest of her life!
Though she was a princess, her family did not have a lot of money. Her father was dead and her mother could not work, so they had to depend on her uncle, the king, for money. When Drina was eleven, her uncle—King George the Fourth—died. Her other uncle, William, became the new king because George and his wife had no children. King William and Queen Adelaide did not have children either, so little Princess Drina became “heir apparent”, meaning she would be the next ruler. Now her life was not so quiet and boring. As “heir apparent” she was suddenly very important! Her uncles, Leopold and William, wanted her to study more about history and government so she would know how to be a good queen.
Sir Conroy, though, did not want her to study because he thought she was too young to rule a country. He wanted her mother and him to make the decisions, not Drina. The princess did not like Sir Conroy and did not want him telling her what to do when she was queen. She knew she could rule on her own. Governess Lehzen knew that Drina would be a good queen as well, so she helped her study and taught her how to behave as a queen should. The young princess also decided that she did not want to be called Drina anymore. She thought it was childish and preferred her middle name, Victoria. Now she was called Her Royal Highness, Princess Victoria.
Victoria turned eighteen on May 24, 1837. She could now legally rule on her own without the help of Sir Conroy or her mother. Weeks later, her uncle William died. Princess Victoria was now Her Majesty, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland! June 28, 1838 was Victoria’s coronation where she was formally crowned queen. She ruled Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, India, and parts of Africa and the Caribbean for 64 years. She is the longest reigning British monarch. She and her husband, Albert, had nine children, 40 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren. Her great-great granddaughter, Elizabeth, is the Queen of the United Kingdom today. Queen Victoria died January 22, 1901 when she was 81 years old. Little Princess Drina had grown up to be the most powerful woman in the world.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Be Thou My Vision
Whenever I find myself getting bogged down with "life" and begin to worry about the future that 1. I cannot control and 2. is constantly in motion, God brings this song to mind and it has become my prayer. "Jesus, be my Vision, waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light...my Sword, my dignity, my delight...my Treasure, my Victory...And my Peace...WHATEVER BEFALL, RULER OF ALL!"
Be Thou My Vision
Ancient Irish hymn, possibly from the 8th Century, tr. by Mary E. Byrne
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
Here's a link to a good video version of the song. It's actually Robin Mark singing it from the CD "The Mandate", not Stuart Townsend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zstKjGb6uAE&feature=related
Be Thou My Vision
Ancient Irish hymn, possibly from the 8th Century, tr. by Mary E. Byrne
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
Here's a link to a good video version of the song. It's actually Robin Mark singing it from the CD "The Mandate", not Stuart Townsend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zstKjGb6uAE&feature=related
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Aedan
It's starting to get more real. We have a crib in pieces in what is now officially the nursery. Non-maternity clothes, with the exception of a few shirts, are just too darn uncomfortable. He has an identity--a name. [Aedan: Fiery, strong spirit. Lee: Shelter from the storm.] He's moving and I'm beginning to feel him more and more. It used to be just in the evening, but now its spread out through the day.
I was thinking about his personality today and I won't lie--When I imagine my son I imagine a mini-Jeremy. He may have my nose, my hair, or my eyes--but he's going to be ALL BOY, just like his papa. Jeremy is--and was growing up--a fascinating combination of archeologist (aka Indiana Jones), Ranger (Aragorn--LOTR), gun-slinger (Han Solo meets Wild West), and Jedi Master rolled into one with a dash of Oxford don (Tolkien/Lewis) thrown in for good measure. The dinosaurs, Legos, guns, cars, football, outside adventure, dirt-doesn't-hurt, fantasy/sci-fi, good guys/bad guys, going hunting with Daddy at age 3 type.
He will, however, also learn from his papa (and mama) things that Jeremy learned from his mom growing up--respect, obedience, how to cook, and that shopping CAN be fun.
As for me, I'll love him, cuddle him, sing to him, kiss his boo-boos, help him learn that mama and papa are a single entity that cannot be manipulated, introduce him to the world of Narnia, read lots of books, give him his Robitussen in chocolate milk, and teach him how to build Lego masterpieces (along with some old fashioned math and color lessons thrown in).
And maybe, just maybe, he'll grow up to be just like his daddy. <3
I was thinking about his personality today and I won't lie--When I imagine my son I imagine a mini-Jeremy. He may have my nose, my hair, or my eyes--but he's going to be ALL BOY, just like his papa. Jeremy is--and was growing up--a fascinating combination of archeologist (aka Indiana Jones), Ranger (Aragorn--LOTR), gun-slinger (Han Solo meets Wild West), and Jedi Master rolled into one with a dash of Oxford don (Tolkien/Lewis) thrown in for good measure. The dinosaurs, Legos, guns, cars, football, outside adventure, dirt-doesn't-hurt, fantasy/sci-fi, good guys/bad guys, going hunting with Daddy at age 3 type.
He will, however, also learn from his papa (and mama) things that Jeremy learned from his mom growing up--respect, obedience, how to cook, and that shopping CAN be fun.
As for me, I'll love him, cuddle him, sing to him, kiss his boo-boos, help him learn that mama and papa are a single entity that cannot be manipulated, introduce him to the world of Narnia, read lots of books, give him his Robitussen in chocolate milk, and teach him how to build Lego masterpieces (along with some old fashioned math and color lessons thrown in).
And maybe, just maybe, he'll grow up to be just like his daddy. <3
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Music Appreciation Crash-Course
I've had a very enlightening day. It started this morning when I had "Shiloh" by Neil Diamond in my head all morning following the creation of a new Pandora station based on Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots are Made for Walkin'". So as I was brushing my hair and complained about having it stuck in my head and Jeremy said "Who?"
"Neil Diamond. You know, "Sweet Caroline"?
"How does it go?"
::look of shock::
:hums tune & sings chorus of Sweet Caroline: met with blank stare
"Oh dear."
So then at 9 tonight I get home from my PC meeting and turn on Pandora. After a little bit a song comes on that I happen to know all the words to...Ok, I know the majority of the words to a majority of the songs on this station thanks to my oldies-loving dad. (At this present moment John Lennon (for you young people, he was a Beatle) is singing "Imagine".) Anyway, so I think "hmm, this is a perfect opportunity to impart some knowledge"...As background for non-Lord of the Rings Online gamers, there is a part of the game that Jeremy and Josh like called "PvP" (player vs player) where you can go on and play a "bad guy" like a spider or an orc or a warg. There is one particular character that Josh plays with and Jeremy plays against whose name is Mama Cass.
So I tell Jeremy, "Hey you know in LOTRO in the Moors that one character that Josh plays with? This is the real one."
His looks at me blankly--and before I go on I will say it was his idea I write a blog about this, so I'm not being REALLY mean--and he shakes his head. I sigh and say
"Mama Cass."
His eyebrows SHOOT up and he says "Mama Cass is a REAL PERSON? I thought it was a made up name."
Now its MY turn to be in shock. Oh dear. "No hon, Mama Cass is one of the Mamas and the Papas. You know, California Dreamin?"
"The Mamas and the Papas? Who?"
SIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHHHH
And for some of you who don't think that's a big deal...What about Nat King Cole? Even if you don't like the "harder" stuff, NKC has such a distinct voice!
So I am taking my husband on a crash course of the "classic" singers and groups of the 50s, 60s, and 70s...with a little help on Sunday/Monday from my expert father, so hopefully by Tuesday--or at least the end of summer--He can identify more than just Creedance Clearwater Revival. Any suggestions on music he should know can be left as a comment on as a Facebook message in my inbox. :)
As a final note, he knows the 80s & 90s better than I do, but in my defense, the only music I heard in those 2 decades was Maranatha Worship cassettes and classical radio. And kids worship songs like "Zacheus was a wee little man" and that one about being sons of Abraham. :P
Music. Part of a well-balanced educational diet. Next seminar will be identifying the works of Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart. After I brush up on it. :)
"Neil Diamond. You know, "Sweet Caroline"?
"How does it go?"
::look of shock::
:hums tune & sings chorus of Sweet Caroline: met with blank stare
"Oh dear."
So then at 9 tonight I get home from my PC meeting and turn on Pandora. After a little bit a song comes on that I happen to know all the words to...Ok, I know the majority of the words to a majority of the songs on this station thanks to my oldies-loving dad. (At this present moment John Lennon (for you young people, he was a Beatle) is singing "Imagine".) Anyway, so I think "hmm, this is a perfect opportunity to impart some knowledge"...As background for non-Lord of the Rings Online gamers, there is a part of the game that Jeremy and Josh like called "PvP" (player vs player) where you can go on and play a "bad guy" like a spider or an orc or a warg. There is one particular character that Josh plays with and Jeremy plays against whose name is Mama Cass.
So I tell Jeremy, "Hey you know in LOTRO in the Moors that one character that Josh plays with? This is the real one."
His looks at me blankly--and before I go on I will say it was his idea I write a blog about this, so I'm not being REALLY mean--and he shakes his head. I sigh and say
"Mama Cass."
His eyebrows SHOOT up and he says "Mama Cass is a REAL PERSON? I thought it was a made up name."
Now its MY turn to be in shock. Oh dear. "No hon, Mama Cass is one of the Mamas and the Papas. You know, California Dreamin?"
"The Mamas and the Papas? Who?"
SIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHHHH
And for some of you who don't think that's a big deal...What about Nat King Cole? Even if you don't like the "harder" stuff, NKC has such a distinct voice!
So I am taking my husband on a crash course of the "classic" singers and groups of the 50s, 60s, and 70s...with a little help on Sunday/Monday from my expert father, so hopefully by Tuesday--or at least the end of summer--He can identify more than just Creedance Clearwater Revival. Any suggestions on music he should know can be left as a comment on as a Facebook message in my inbox. :)
As a final note, he knows the 80s & 90s better than I do, but in my defense, the only music I heard in those 2 decades was Maranatha Worship cassettes and classical radio. And kids worship songs like "Zacheus was a wee little man" and that one about being sons of Abraham. :P
Music. Part of a well-balanced educational diet. Next seminar will be identifying the works of Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart. After I brush up on it. :)
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