Well, everyone, this is it. It is the last day of 2011 and if you are not looking back on the last twelve months dissecting what has happened since this time last year, than I am honored to have the one exception to that rule reading my blog. lol In all seriousness, I think the key to surviving New Years Eve (besides alcohol) is to not be too hard on yourself. I used to do that...obsess over everything I did not do in the year to the point where this holiday of sorts became one that I approached with bitterness and depression and now...Well, I still hate it but I don't ring in the New Year hating myself and that is good. (Yes, a little known fact about me is that I do honestly hate New Years Eve. I have ever since I can remember. But I think it is because I hate endings. However, in order to get to the fresh starts you have to let things go.)
In the last twelve months there have been many changes in my life. I started out this year engaged. I was a mother. I had a pretty predictable life and I was under the assumption that by this time I would be married (the date was set for October). And then in the blink of an eye all of that was gone. First, he left and then he took his child and I was left with the rug pulled out from under me wondering what was right. Do I try to put things back together again knowing that neither one of us was happy for the sake of the family I built or do I accept what has happened and reinvent parts of my life to suit me and me (mostly) alone (there is my baby sister to consider also but since she is 15 she is down for anything at this point). After some epiphanies I went with the latter and I am so much happier for it. Except for the damage my body has done and a few new emotional scars, I am me again.
Reconnecting with a great guy I once knew was a very unexpected but beautiful surprise for me this year. His friendship has meant quite a bit to me these last few months as I assume he knows already and although there are sometimes frustrations involved, having that friendship is worth it to me. Whatever it becomes in the future it makes me happy to know we will always have that. I love him, he loves me and right now that's enough. :)
On a note totally unrelated to love and all the mushy shit, I got my associate's degree in psychology this year, I started my bachelor's, and I made the choice to self-publish Castles Made of Sand. People I have never met have actually read my book. It may not be much, but I still think it is pretty fucking cool. Hopefully in 2012 I will be fortunate enough to find the right agent to take the self out of that phrase because that has been my goal all along. But at least I made some movement toward something this year with my writing, right? Right. :)
Until this last week, the year had not been too bad for my immediate family. Ending 2011 with grandpa in the hospital hooked up to tubes, being told that he could still die even after he has held on this long, is mind boggling to me. But I have faith that he hasn't gone through all of this to let go now. This time next year I will be writing about something crazy he did at Christmas. And it is that belief that allows me to be here typing this instead of losing my fucking mind.
Except for grandpa's health problems, I can see the good that has come from every painful situation I have faced this year. Every tear I've shed has cleansed me, every sob helped me let go, and I can honestly say that as far as where I am in my life, I sit here tonight happier than I was at this time last year. I know where I am going and I am proud of where I've been. Tragedy, pain, it does serve a purpose if only you try hard enough to find it.
So what about the next twelve months? What do I want from 2012? I want good health, joy, and prosperity, and peace for those I love. I want to finish Rapunzel and self-publish it in March and then find an agent to find a publisher that will take over the work of promotion on a bigger scale than I ever could. I also want to get a good chunk of Book Two to the Dark Fairy tales series, Beauty and the Beast, finished by next New Years Eve. Are you excited? I'm excited. Luke is quite dashing as the beast, kids. He may be the sexiest vampire I have ever made. He's just that good. No surprise, really. Of all the Princess movies, Beauty and the Beast is my favorite and I have always thought that the way The Beast was in the cartoon was pretty fucking hot. Don't judge my strange ways, ok? That's not nice. haha I also want the world to be a stronger but kinder place, I want people to be stronger but kinder people, and I want some wisdom to finally seep into the collective consciousness of humankind. Will I get that? My hopes are not high. But if you want it, you must start it with yourself.
Good books, good music, and good people are really all I need...along with love of all kinds...to be happy. So if I get only that this year, I will be content.
And as for you, my good blogger people, I wish all of you the best twelve months you have ever had. I hope you all have a year full of prosperity, good health, love, joy, and peace. I also hope that when you sit twelve months from now and you look back on 2012 you see more good things in those months than bad and for each bad thing that does come your way, I hope it leads to something great. God bless/Blessed be to you all and may you all have a very very happy New Year. Now it is on to 2012!!!!
P.S. In case you couldn't tell, I am among those that believe the Mayan Calender ends in 2012 because the people making it ran out of stone to carve it on...;)
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
I've Spent My Morning in the 17th Century...
See, writers can get away with crazy post titles like that because muggles assume we're insane anyway. Oh? Am I randomly mixing in Harry Potter terms? I apologize. I haven't slept yet. Funniest part of all? Except for the books I read to my baby sister, I am not even a Harry Potter fan...hahahaha The title actually isn't so crazy, though, as I've spent the past few hours working on Rapunzel and that happens to be the part of the book "we" are currently in. Rapunzel is tearing up hell during the English Civil War of that period just as she tends to tear up hell every where. Have I ever mentioned that she is one of my favorite characters to ever come from my warped mind? No? Well, she is. haha
My grandfather is doing better. He is off of ventilators and talking although the doctor is telling us he now has what is known as ICU psychosis which, simply put, means that because of all the time he has spent not knowing whether it is night or day or what day it is, all of the time he's spent away from us and all that is familiar, he is developing symptoms like agitation (that has been his main symptom so far) and paranoia (he thinks the nurses are trying to kill him...yep, I think that qualifies) and he is very confused (yesterday he thought he had a load to deliver because he is a retired truck driver and he told the doctor that he is twenty four years old though the latter might simply have been to screw with the doctor because he's good like that). Still, he is making improvement and that is the best news my family has had in a week.
As for me? Well, I spent half of last night voice chatting with a great guy (yes, my fellow broken...soul?) and the other half tearing up hell in 17th century England with Rapunzel so it could be worse. As long as my mind is busy, as long as I don't try to sleep until I know I will close my eyes and be gone for a few hours, I am just fine. :) Yes, this is how I deal. And in this moment, I'm ok. So alas! I think it works. haha
Music I've been Writing to:
And last but by no means least:
These songs are taken from the soundtrack of my favorite French film, All the Mornings of the World (Tous Les Matins du Monde). No, of course I don't speak French (though I've always wanted to learn). I use subtitles like everyone else. lol But if you don't mind subtitles(or you do speak French), I recommend this movie one hundred percent. I thought it was AMAZING!!!!!
My grandfather is doing better. He is off of ventilators and talking although the doctor is telling us he now has what is known as ICU psychosis which, simply put, means that because of all the time he has spent not knowing whether it is night or day or what day it is, all of the time he's spent away from us and all that is familiar, he is developing symptoms like agitation (that has been his main symptom so far) and paranoia (he thinks the nurses are trying to kill him...yep, I think that qualifies) and he is very confused (yesterday he thought he had a load to deliver because he is a retired truck driver and he told the doctor that he is twenty four years old though the latter might simply have been to screw with the doctor because he's good like that). Still, he is making improvement and that is the best news my family has had in a week.
As for me? Well, I spent half of last night voice chatting with a great guy (yes, my fellow broken...soul?) and the other half tearing up hell in 17th century England with Rapunzel so it could be worse. As long as my mind is busy, as long as I don't try to sleep until I know I will close my eyes and be gone for a few hours, I am just fine. :) Yes, this is how I deal. And in this moment, I'm ok. So alas! I think it works. haha
Music I've been Writing to:
And last but by no means least:
These songs are taken from the soundtrack of my favorite French film, All the Mornings of the World (Tous Les Matins du Monde). No, of course I don't speak French (though I've always wanted to learn). I use subtitles like everyone else. lol But if you don't mind subtitles(or you do speak French), I recommend this movie one hundred percent. I thought it was AMAZING!!!!!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
An Update of Sorts
These past few days have been pure madness in the world of the Happy Hippie Witch. Actually...the Happy Hippie Witch is temporarily the morose, manic depressive hippie witch but who cares about technicalities? My grandfather was rushed to the hospital in the early morning of Christmas Eve and he was then taken straight into surgery to have part of his stomach removed and to repair a part of his bowel that had ruptured. He is still in the hospital, of course, and he is completely sedated and unable to breathe on his own yet. There was little joy in this house on Christmas and what joy did exist was all thanks to my two year old niece who brightens up everything just by being here. None of us kids have ever spent a holiday away from him and grandma hasn't been apart from him on a holiday in the nearly forty-five years that they have been married. All of the years that he drove truck and he missed birthdays and school functions, he was still home for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving without fail. Not having him here weighed on us all. There was simply no avoiding it. Despite having ten people gathered around, without him the room felt empty.
So I have been busy. There was cleaning to do for Christmas, cooking to assist with, joy to fake, and worry to hide. I think I did well with it all. Housework trumps thinking, thanks so much. Unfortunately in the chaos my blogs have been neglected, typing Rapunzel has been put on the back burner, and things that are supposed to be important priorities just seemed irrelevant. But tonight I feel the need to work...on my blog, on my story, on anything that can take me out of the here and now.
I hope all of you had a magical Christmas and I am sorry my Christmas wishes are a little belated. Are you all looking forward to the new year? Any party plans? Ah, if I had my way I would be ringing in 2012 with a gallon of Whiskey Sours and Janis blaring at full volume. Sounds nice doesn't it? lol Merry belated Christmas, my dear blogger pals, and I hope we all have an amazing New Year. Now...on to my Castles blog...for real this time. :)
So I have been busy. There was cleaning to do for Christmas, cooking to assist with, joy to fake, and worry to hide. I think I did well with it all. Housework trumps thinking, thanks so much. Unfortunately in the chaos my blogs have been neglected, typing Rapunzel has been put on the back burner, and things that are supposed to be important priorities just seemed irrelevant. But tonight I feel the need to work...on my blog, on my story, on anything that can take me out of the here and now.
I hope all of you had a magical Christmas and I am sorry my Christmas wishes are a little belated. Are you all looking forward to the new year? Any party plans? Ah, if I had my way I would be ringing in 2012 with a gallon of Whiskey Sours and Janis blaring at full volume. Sounds nice doesn't it? lol Merry belated Christmas, my dear blogger pals, and I hope we all have an amazing New Year. Now...on to my Castles blog...for real this time. :)
Thursday, December 22, 2011
It's Yule!
I have not yet posted in the Castles blog because...it's been a long two days, man. But I am going to soon. Promise. Anyway, today is Yule. Like my last post, if you couldn't care less about Yule, feel free to stop reading now and move on to a post composed by someone with more interesting things to blog about. haha (Remember how I promised in the first new post that I would offer up a disclaimer for the witchy side of the Happy Hippie Witch blog? That was it...haha) So...It's Yule, everyone! And it was almost 60 degrees here in Columbus today. That was a Yuletide first for me. I have done the Ostara ritual with snow flying before but usually the solstices stick to their normal weather habits. Not this year! I was disappointed. I want snow! I finally slept last night and I woke up way too late today so I had to rush around to do what I needed to do all day. I did type some on Rapunzel and I am hoping to type a bit more. My creativity is high today so I should take advantage of that. In the meantime...
Here is the most comprehensive explanation of Yule I could find because I am too lazy to actually type all of this out. :) Taken from http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/yule.htm
The Winter Solstice - Yule Lore
See that thing under activities about Kriss Kringle? See, Santa Claus really IS Pagan too...lmao
And last but not least, pretty pictures...because every holiday should have good music and pretty pictures. lol
And of course, we can't forget the Holly King, can we?
So I hope everyone had a blessed and merry Yule even if you don't celebrate the holiday. Blessed be, my blogger pals. :)
Here is the most comprehensive explanation of Yule I could find because I am too lazy to actually type all of this out. :) Taken from http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/yule.htm
The Winter Solstice - Yule Lore
| The date varies from December 20 to December 23 depending on the year in the Gregorian calendar. Yule is also known as the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere due to the seasonal differences. Yule, (pronounced EWE-elle) is when the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day. Known as Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year, the sun's "rebirth" was celebrated with much joy. On this night, our ancestors celebrated the rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life that warmed the frozen Earth. From this day forward, the days would become longer. Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were "wassailed" with toasts of spiced cider. Children were escorted from house to house with gifts of clove spiked apples and oranges which were laid in baskets of evergreen boughs and wheat stalks dusted with flour. The apples and oranges represented the sun. The boughs were symbolic of immortality (evergreens were sacred to the Celts because they did not "die" thereby representing the eternal aspect of the Divine). The wheat stalks portrayed the harvest, and the flour was accomplishment of triumph, light, and life. Holly and ivy not only decorated the outside, but also the inside of homes, in hopes Nature Sprites would come and join the celebration. A sprig of Holly was kept near the door all year long as a constant invitation for good fortune to visit tthe residents. Mistletoe was also hung as decoration. It represented the seed of the Divine, and at Midwinter, the Druids would travel deep into the forest to harvest it. The ceremonial Yule log was the highlight of the Solstice festival. In accordance to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the householder's land, or given as a gift... it must never have been bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and dusted with flour before set ablaze by a piece of last years log, (held onto for just this purpose). The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out. Ash is the traditional wood of the Yule log. It is the sacred world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. An herb of the Sun, Ash brings light into the hearth at the Solstice. A different type of Yule log, and perhaps one more suitable for modern practitioners would be the type that is used as a base to hold three candles. Find a smaller branch of oak or pine, and flatten one side so it sets upright. Drill three holes in the top side to hold red, green, and white (season), green, gold, and black (the Sun God), or white, red, and black (the Great Goddess). Continue to decorate with greenery, red and gold bows, rosebuds, cloves, and dust with flour. Many customs created around Yule are identified with Christmas today. If you decorate your home with a Yule tree, holly or candles, you are following some of these old traditions. The Yule log, (usually made from a piece of wood saved from the previous year) is burned in the fire to symbolize the Newborn Sun/Son. Deities of Yule: All Newborn Gods, Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, and Triple Goddesses. The best known would be the Dagda, and Brighid, the daughter of the Dagda. Brighid taught the smiths the arts of fire tending and the secrets of metal work. Brighid's flame, like the flame of the new light, pierces the darkness of the spirit and mind, while the Dagda's cauldron assures that Nature will always provide for all the children. Symbolism of Yule: Rebirth of the Sun, The longest night of the year, The Winter Solstice, Introspect, Planning for the Future. Symbols of Yule: Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus. Herbs of Yule: Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar. Foods of Yule: Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples). Incense of Yule: Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon. Colors of Yule: Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange. Stones of Yule: Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds. Activities of Yule: Caroling, wassailing the trees, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle the Germanic Pagan God of Yule Spellworkings of Yule: Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness. Deities of Yule: Goddesses-Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother. Gods-Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon. |
See that thing under activities about Kriss Kringle? See, Santa Claus really IS Pagan too...lmao
And last but not least, pretty pictures...because every holiday should have good music and pretty pictures. lol
Monday, December 19, 2011
A Completely Self-Indulgent Post
As the title stated, this post is completely self-indulgent...and emotional...so if you are not interested (like I probably won't be come tomorrow) I understand. If you also subscribe to my Castles blog, I am going to try to post something tomorrow so hopefully I will have more goodies from 1968 coming your way. But in the meantime, there is this....
I know this guy...I have known him for a long time now actually...and I have loved him just as long. Most of the time this guy is amazing. I mean, the Gods themselves could not have found a man more perfect for me. Not only is he perfect for me, but he is pretty fucking great in general. I mean, he has a mind that amazes me (always a huge plus for me but not always easy to find), he is beautiful, and I am pretty sure he could make a statue made of marble crack a smile if he tried hard enough. He also has a voice that goes right through me. Yeah, he is pretty fucking wonderful...most of the time. I would even go so far as to say 99% of the time...but there is one problem...
He is a little broken and so am I. Emotionally damaged is a very appropriate term for us both I suppose. Life and love have been unkind to us over the years and unfortunately when faced with certain things we shut down. For him, that thing appears to be emotions in general. For me, it is doubt. It doesn't take much in the doubt department to shut me down either. Just one seed and I am looking at you suspiciously wondering if you ever gave a damn until something somewhere shows me you do. The little things mean everything to me so as long as the doubt isn't a constant thing, this is something that can be undone. But I don't know if that matters anymore. Because even if he loves me, he doesn't want to and if he doesn't want to how can I ask him to? What right do I have to do that? Love is supposed to make you happy, right? So if you hate that you love someone what is the point in fucking loving at all?
So I know I should be selfless and let him go. I had to do it once before, you know. I had to work on getting him off my mind and out of my veins. But never totally out of my heart. But I was so young then and so fucking hopeful about the world and the future and all that. I thought there were plenty of guys out there that I could love like him. I know now that isn't exactly true. All of the things that made it impossible for us to have any chance way back then are gone...all except the fact that he and I are still us and we are still damaged.
Is it possible for two broken people to fix one another? I mean, you can fix yourself in every aspect but when you are broken in love I think nothing but love will patch that up. I want to believe that he did not come back into my life, even in the limited capacity that he was in my life, for nothing. Doesn't seem fair, you know. To be able to let go of every broken dream, every unrealistic desire but one only to find that one within your grasp...and watch it disappear again. But life isn't fair, is it? Everyone knows that. So I want to believe that there is a chance that two broken people can fix one another, love one another, at least understand and accept one another's cracks if they cannot be repaired. But tonight I have only my doubt to fill my heart and make me wonder, make me doubt all that I felt so sure of just last night.
P.S. If you are reading this, asshole....I love you. I get you. I even know where you are coming from, believe it or not. You have taken plenty of risks in your life as we both know well. How many of those risks had any chance of a happy outcome? Heartbreak won't kill you, you know. And it doesn't matter because in this case, I am a sure thing. And if you want the comfort of knowing I am yours...well...I suppose you would have to make me yours, wouldn't you? Muah!
I know this guy...I have known him for a long time now actually...and I have loved him just as long. Most of the time this guy is amazing. I mean, the Gods themselves could not have found a man more perfect for me. Not only is he perfect for me, but he is pretty fucking great in general. I mean, he has a mind that amazes me (always a huge plus for me but not always easy to find), he is beautiful, and I am pretty sure he could make a statue made of marble crack a smile if he tried hard enough. He also has a voice that goes right through me. Yeah, he is pretty fucking wonderful...most of the time. I would even go so far as to say 99% of the time...but there is one problem...
He is a little broken and so am I. Emotionally damaged is a very appropriate term for us both I suppose. Life and love have been unkind to us over the years and unfortunately when faced with certain things we shut down. For him, that thing appears to be emotions in general. For me, it is doubt. It doesn't take much in the doubt department to shut me down either. Just one seed and I am looking at you suspiciously wondering if you ever gave a damn until something somewhere shows me you do. The little things mean everything to me so as long as the doubt isn't a constant thing, this is something that can be undone. But I don't know if that matters anymore. Because even if he loves me, he doesn't want to and if he doesn't want to how can I ask him to? What right do I have to do that? Love is supposed to make you happy, right? So if you hate that you love someone what is the point in fucking loving at all?
So I know I should be selfless and let him go. I had to do it once before, you know. I had to work on getting him off my mind and out of my veins. But never totally out of my heart. But I was so young then and so fucking hopeful about the world and the future and all that. I thought there were plenty of guys out there that I could love like him. I know now that isn't exactly true. All of the things that made it impossible for us to have any chance way back then are gone...all except the fact that he and I are still us and we are still damaged.
Is it possible for two broken people to fix one another? I mean, you can fix yourself in every aspect but when you are broken in love I think nothing but love will patch that up. I want to believe that he did not come back into my life, even in the limited capacity that he was in my life, for nothing. Doesn't seem fair, you know. To be able to let go of every broken dream, every unrealistic desire but one only to find that one within your grasp...and watch it disappear again. But life isn't fair, is it? Everyone knows that. So I want to believe that there is a chance that two broken people can fix one another, love one another, at least understand and accept one another's cracks if they cannot be repaired. But tonight I have only my doubt to fill my heart and make me wonder, make me doubt all that I felt so sure of just last night.
P.S. If you are reading this, asshole....I love you. I get you. I even know where you are coming from, believe it or not. You have taken plenty of risks in your life as we both know well. How many of those risks had any chance of a happy outcome? Heartbreak won't kill you, you know. And it doesn't matter because in this case, I am a sure thing. And if you want the comfort of knowing I am yours...well...I suppose you would have to make me yours, wouldn't you? Muah!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Counting Down the Twelve Days Til Christmas (And Eight Days til Yule) Part 2
As promised, here is my list of my twelve favorite Christmas movies followed by my twelve favorite Yule songs. Here is the thing with the Yule songs. Before this year, I had lyrics to Yule songs but I had never heard one. If they had been recorded on a tape on cd before, I never heard it. I am sure people in covens probably sang them during Yule celebrations but I am solitary. So this year when I found videos on youtube of people singing Yule carols I was ecstatic! Even in my most Scroogy moments, I still love Christmas music. Not just any old Christmas music, though. I am very very picky about the songs and the versions I listen to because I just have a certain standard of great for these songs. And I will always love Christmas music. Yule music will not replace Christmas music for me. It just makes me happy to have, for the first time since I became Wiccan, songs this time of year that celebrate the religious aspect of the month for me.
On that note, speaking of the Yule/Christmas thing, if anyone reading this has any questions about how I celebrate the season, how I view Christmas since I am not Christian...anything like that, you are always welcomed to ask. You can ask in the comments or e-mail me if you would like. I have no problem answering these things.
Anyway, without further ado, here are my twelve favorite Christmas songs and my twelve favorite Yule songs.
1) O Holy Night and Happy Christmas (War is Over)
With number one, we have a tie. They are both my top favorite Christmas songs so enjoy them.
And for anyone out there who has heard the Celine Dion version and liked it? You need to double up on the recommended dose of this song (listen to it three times every four hours between Dec. 1st and Dec. 26th) because your music taste is on its death bed. :)
2) We Three Kings
I believe this is the hardest song to find good version of on the internet. Most of the time you either find a version with words and the music sucks or you find a version with great music but there are no words. Here is the one that I have found that is probably the best I've come across so far.
3) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
There are probably a thousand versions of this song and there are a few that are really good but my favorite is Loreena McKennit's. For those of you who don't know of her, she is a Celtic singer and her voice is amazing. The way she did this song isn't typical but I love it.
4) Santa Baby
For this song, it has to be the Madonna version. When I was little I loved this song, I sang the hell out of it in my best sexy slut voice, and I will admit to all of you now that I still do that every year.
5) Jingle Bell Rock
This is another song that I friggin' love. I tend to like two types of Christmas music: the music that sounds like it is from the 12th century and the stuff that makes you want to get up and shake your ass while you are putting lights on the Christmas tree. This is, of course, one from the ass shaking category.
6) Blue Christmas
I like Elvis and I think this is one of those songs that you just don't feel like it is Christmas until you've heard it. Melissa Etheridge also did a version and while I love her and I liked her version, Elvis is still king.
7) Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
This one is another great song from the realm of ass shaking Christmas songs.
8) Run Run Rudolf
This is another song that I prefer when Loreena McKennit sings it. She does it well and she does it simple...the way it was intended to be.
10) Silent Night
I love this song. I actually used to play it (poorly) on an electric organ when I was a kid. Over the years I have heard some great versions of it and some god awful ones but my favorite is Sarah McLachlan's version.
11) Carol of the Bells
I looked for two years to find a good version of this before I came across the version done by Celtic Women.
12) Rudolf The Rednose Reindeer
Yes, even though I am 24 years old, even now every time I hear this song I shout out the "added" parts. For instance, "like Monopoly" at the end of "They wouldn't let poor Rudolf join in any reindeer games". And I do mean shout...loudly...even in crowded grocery stores. Why? Because that is how I roll of course. :)
And now for the Yule songs:
1) Santa Claus is Pagan Too
I think this song is figgin' adorable and I love it. Seriously really love it. :)
2) Gods Rest Ye Merry Paganfolk
Set to the music of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
3) Mother Berta
This is set to the music of Santa Claus is Coming to Town and it is a myth about a European winter "hag" I found a blog post about the song and the story so if you would like to read it, here is the link: http://manyhandshouse.blogspot.com/2011/12/bertas-coming-to-town-by-steven-posch.html
5) Silent Night (Pagan Version)
6) What Night is This
Set to the tune of What Child is This
7) Midnight Clear
8) Wiccan Wonderland
I think this song is cute. I know I keep posting songs by the same woman. I don't know who she is but I think she has a very pretty voice, I love the tree, and the way that she did these songs acapella.
9) The Holly and the Ivy
This is the original version of the song but the song itself, to me, is relevant to Yule as well as Christmas because of the references in it.
10) The Solstice Carol
There you have it! My twelve favorite Christmas songs and my twelve favorite Yule carols. Do you have a list of your own? Share it! Any and all comments are welcome! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas/Happy Yule/Happy Hanukkah/Happy Kwanzaa...and again, if you celebrate a different holiday this time of year and your tradition has songs, please share. Titles, video links, what ever. I would love to hear them. Happy holidays, everyone. :)
On that note, speaking of the Yule/Christmas thing, if anyone reading this has any questions about how I celebrate the season, how I view Christmas since I am not Christian...anything like that, you are always welcomed to ask. You can ask in the comments or e-mail me if you would like. I have no problem answering these things.
Anyway, without further ado, here are my twelve favorite Christmas songs and my twelve favorite Yule songs.
1) O Holy Night and Happy Christmas (War is Over)
With number one, we have a tie. They are both my top favorite Christmas songs so enjoy them.
And for anyone out there who has heard the Celine Dion version and liked it? You need to double up on the recommended dose of this song (listen to it three times every four hours between Dec. 1st and Dec. 26th) because your music taste is on its death bed. :)
2) We Three Kings
I believe this is the hardest song to find good version of on the internet. Most of the time you either find a version with words and the music sucks or you find a version with great music but there are no words. Here is the one that I have found that is probably the best I've come across so far.
3) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
There are probably a thousand versions of this song and there are a few that are really good but my favorite is Loreena McKennit's. For those of you who don't know of her, she is a Celtic singer and her voice is amazing. The way she did this song isn't typical but I love it.
4) Santa Baby
For this song, it has to be the Madonna version. When I was little I loved this song, I sang the hell out of it in my best sexy slut voice, and I will admit to all of you now that I still do that every year.
5) Jingle Bell Rock
This is another song that I friggin' love. I tend to like two types of Christmas music: the music that sounds like it is from the 12th century and the stuff that makes you want to get up and shake your ass while you are putting lights on the Christmas tree. This is, of course, one from the ass shaking category.
6) Blue Christmas
I like Elvis and I think this is one of those songs that you just don't feel like it is Christmas until you've heard it. Melissa Etheridge also did a version and while I love her and I liked her version, Elvis is still king.
7) Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
This one is another great song from the realm of ass shaking Christmas songs.
8) Run Run Rudolf
Chuck Berry was amazing and it should not be a surprise that he was able to make a bad ass rock n' roll Christmas tune. lol
9) Good King WenceslausThis is another song that I prefer when Loreena McKennit sings it. She does it well and she does it simple...the way it was intended to be.
10) Silent Night
I love this song. I actually used to play it (poorly) on an electric organ when I was a kid. Over the years I have heard some great versions of it and some god awful ones but my favorite is Sarah McLachlan's version.
11) Carol of the Bells
I looked for two years to find a good version of this before I came across the version done by Celtic Women.
12) Rudolf The Rednose Reindeer
Yes, even though I am 24 years old, even now every time I hear this song I shout out the "added" parts. For instance, "like Monopoly" at the end of "They wouldn't let poor Rudolf join in any reindeer games". And I do mean shout...loudly...even in crowded grocery stores. Why? Because that is how I roll of course. :)
And now for the Yule songs:
1) Santa Claus is Pagan Too
I think this song is figgin' adorable and I love it. Seriously really love it. :)
2) Gods Rest Ye Merry Paganfolk
Set to the music of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
3) Mother Berta
This is set to the music of Santa Claus is Coming to Town and it is a myth about a European winter "hag" I found a blog post about the song and the story so if you would like to read it, here is the link: http://manyhandshouse.blogspot.com/2011/12/bertas-coming-to-town-by-steven-posch.html
5) Silent Night (Pagan Version)
6) What Night is This
Set to the tune of What Child is This
7) Midnight Clear
8) Wiccan Wonderland
I think this song is cute. I know I keep posting songs by the same woman. I don't know who she is but I think she has a very pretty voice, I love the tree, and the way that she did these songs acapella.
9) The Holly and the Ivy
This is the original version of the song but the song itself, to me, is relevant to Yule as well as Christmas because of the references in it.
10) The Solstice Carol
11) Solstice Song
12) Green Grows the HollyThere you have it! My twelve favorite Christmas songs and my twelve favorite Yule carols. Do you have a list of your own? Share it! Any and all comments are welcome! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas/Happy Yule/Happy Hanukkah/Happy Kwanzaa...and again, if you celebrate a different holiday this time of year and your tradition has songs, please share. Titles, video links, what ever. I would love to hear them. Happy holidays, everyone. :)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Counting Down the Twelve Days Til Christmas (And Eight Days til Yule) Part 1
You could not have a holiday season without the movies and the music that make it special. It is my opinion that anyone, regardless of how bad ass they believe they are, will go back in time and be temporarily six years old again when they sit down to watch their favorite Christmas movie on television or as soon as they hear the first notes of Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer on the radio. We all have our lists of favorites that make the holidays brighter. We all have our special memories that are instantly called up while watching these movies or listening to these songs. And it is to honor those memories that I am giving you, wonderful people of the blog, my own lists. I have made two for the songs. One is for Christmas and the other is for Yule. I do not know any Hanukkah or Kwanzaa songs. If you celebrate these holidays and you have songs, please tell us about them. I personally would love to hear (because I will youtube them, of course). In the meantime, here is the list of my twelve favorites in the movie department:
1) A Christmas Carol
This is my favorite Christmas story of all time. I have watched every version of the movie including the silent movie version (which was available on youtube last year so you might want to check it out if you are interested because it's probably still there). But my two all time favorite versions are the version with Patrick Stewart (which is still on youtube) and the newest version with Jim Carry. George C. Scott takes third place. I do not watch and cannot stand the modernized versions like Scrooged because to me A Christmas Carol is timeless. It has a moral, a great moral, and there is no reason to fuck with that.
2) The Nutcracker
Until this past week, my favorite version of this was actually the ballet version that they used to show on television when I was a kid. But now I have a new favorite. The version that came out last year (yes, another 3D miracle I should not watch as an epileptic) is my new most favorite because it was well done, it had Nathan Lane (love him!), the 3D was just bad ass, and it was fun to watch.
3) It's A Wonderful Life
This is my mom's second favorite (Prancer is her first) and when I was little I loved it. Then when I got to be about 12 I was sick of it. I mean, she did not wait until December to watch this movie. She watched it all...the fucking...time. So for about nine years I refused to look at it, I wanted no part of it, and I swore I would never watch it again. But then when I was twenty one I caught it on television on Christmas Eve and before I knew it, my eyes were glued to the timeless story of Mr. George Bailey and his struggle to figure out what life is all about. Like A Christmas Carol, it has a timeless meaning behind it and who doesn't have at least one good memory of watching this?
4) Santa Claus is Coming to Town
When I was about five my great grandmother bought me the set of Christmas cartoons that had this and Frosty and all of those great cartoons from the '60's and '70's in them. I watched the hell out of those movies! As soon as Christmas break started every year, it was time to break out that great little box that contained the movies, get my sleeping bag, and curl up on the floor to watch them. During the holidays I think we all tend to miss those we love who have passed away and since Grandma Betty died in 1996, these movies took on a more sentimental meaning for me. Not only do I love them because they are great and I have a million fun memories of them, I also love them because they remind me of her. I don't know if she knew this but she actually gave me one of the greatest gifts I ever got because here I am, 19 years later, still watching these movies every year. I have passed them on to my baby sister and I will pass them on one day to my kids. And yeah, this one was my favorite (Ah, the love story of Kris and Jessica...it just gets me every time), it has the song I sang to Dakota while I was teaching her to walk (Put one foot in front of the other...and soon you'll be walking 'cross the floor...), and when I watch it I get as giddy as a six year old.
5) Prancer
As I said earlier, this is my mom's favorite Christmas movie...mostly because she has a major thing for Sam Elliot (which is why I hate Roadhouse) and like It's A Wonderful Life, I spent many years hating this movie and swearing it off forever. But over the last couple of years I have found my love for this movie renewed. Certain scenes (especially the one where Jessica sleds through the scary old woman's flower bed and first goes inside her house) bring back my emotions that I had watching them when I was little which is what really makes Christmas movies special in my opinion. I used to watch this and think that it was...magical. So it is only fitting that I should watch it now when I am all grown up and childhood magic (you know, the kind of magic that made EVERYTHING look better than it really was?) is lost to me in this life and try, for two hours, to get that feeling back.
6) Rudolf The Rednose Reindeer
First, I must say that I love Hermey. Yeah, I know the movie is about Rudolf and I love him too but Hermey is my elf! An elf that wants to be a dentist kind of sums up the way I felt as a child. I was a misfit, Hermey was a misfit, Rudolf was too...and then...and then...there was a whole friggin' LAND of misfits! For me, the message I got from this when I was a kid was pretty simple. So you happen to be a little weird and you don't fit in. So what? One day you will be a dentist or a toy with an owner or the leader of Santa's friggin' sleigh and that is pretty cool. :)
7) Frosty the Snowman
Frosty was my little brother's favorite of our Christmas movie collection when we were little. It was really cute (and I am glad he doesn't read this because he would probably kick my ass for sharing) because Ryan would cry every time he watched it when Frosty melted. Every single time. And then I would have to be a nice big sister (something I really wasn't when we were kids) and tell him that it was like the song said. He would be back again and it was alright and all that. So when I watch this movie, it makes me think of my little bubby (who now has a baby of his own) crying his eyes out at the temporary death of Frosty. How sweet is that?
8) Bad Santa
There are some movies that are hilarious the first time you see them and then the more you watch them the more the hilariaty of the film fades until parts that once inspired a big ole' belly laugh only gets a small smile. Yeah...This is NOT one of those movies for me. The first time I saw it I laughed my ass off from start to finish. I haven't watched it yet this year but I will and when I do, I will laugh my ass off from start to finish. I will not watch it on television because it just lacks its huge dose of fucking hilarious censored. And this movie produced one of my favorite lines of all time. I bet you all know what I am going to say because I am me, right? Well, if you didn't guess it, here it is: "Fuck me, Santa...Fuck me, Santa...Fuckk...mmeeeee....Sannnttttaaaaa!!!!" hahahaha Whoever wrote this script, I tip my hat to you because you, my friend are a bigger perv than I am and that is almost impossible! ;)
9) Home Alone
If you were a child in the early '90's and you never slapped your face and screamed like your ass was on fire just once because of this movie....were you Amish? lol This is another one that makes me think of my brother because he loved this movie. The old man scared the shit out of him, though. But more than that, I loved it because I wanted what Kevin had. I wanted my family to forget me all by myself for days. It did not matter if it happened during Christmas...or Valentines Day...or even the 4th of July. I wanted to be home alone doing what I wanted and having a great time with that. This movie also has my favorite version of Carol of the Bells in it. I will only watch the first one, by the way, because I believe that if you lose your kid and leave the fucking state without them TWICE CPS should really come and investigate you and you should NOT be rewarded with a movie contract. hahahaha
Let me start with a confession: When I was little I was in love with Chevy Chase. I watched everything he was in and I did so with this dreamy look on my creepy little face because I thought he was adorable. So yeah, Christmas time meant people would show this movie and I could get a little dose of my beloved Chevy. Plus...ummm....this movie was funny as hell.
11) A Christmas Story
"You'll shoot your eye out!" Hell yeah you will but before shooting your eye out, you will have to put up with a sarcastic teacher, a little asshole school bully, a brother who eats dinner like a pig, your mother and father who believe that the word 'fuck' should not come from your mouth no matter how bad you fudge up while helping dad put a tire on, and a Santa Claus that is probably drunk on whiskey and banging the little bitchy elf. Sound like fun? Of course not. Ralphie is my dude. Ralphie did not have an ideal adventure trying to get one fucking thing...just one...that he wanted for Christmas. He had to put up with ALOT of bullshit, ya know? But he perservered. He did not say "Oh well...no one wants to get it for me so I guess I want a sled". Hell no! He did everything he could possible do and in the end he got that Red Rider BB Gun. And yeah, he shot his fucking eye out with it. But I will bet you he went right back out the next day and shot the damned thing at any thing he could find in the back yard that might move. (Part two of the movie was cut out but it was the part where Ralphie developed his street rep as the badest squirrel killer since those brothers on Swamp People) Why? Because Ralphie knew what he wanted, he did not take no for an answer, and in the end he got it so do I think he will let a friggin' BB in the eye keep him from what he wants to do? Hell no I don't! Ralphie for president, biatches! lmao
12) The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorite movies of all time. I actually got it for Christmas when I was 7 (might have been 8) and from the first time I watched it I was enthralled...and in love. Jack Skellington is oh so sexy. Anyway, I am sure you are wondering why it is number 12 on this list if it is one of my favorite movies ever. Well, on my Halloween list of movies it would be number two (second only to Hocus Pocus). But this is my Christmas list and while I do watch this movie every year at Christmas time and I do consider it a half-breed (Half Halloween-Half Christmas) the movies I named above are simply higher on this particular list because they are pure breeds and I only watch them all one time a year and they have only Christmas memories attached.
So, there ya have it! My twelve favorite Christmas movies of all time. Please feel free to comment or, better yet, share your own list in the comments. I would love to hear what everyone has to say. If you have any memories attached to these movies, SHARE! And now, my friends, it is on to music.....
This is my favorite Christmas story of all time. I have watched every version of the movie including the silent movie version (which was available on youtube last year so you might want to check it out if you are interested because it's probably still there). But my two all time favorite versions are the version with Patrick Stewart (which is still on youtube) and the newest version with Jim Carry. George C. Scott takes third place. I do not watch and cannot stand the modernized versions like Scrooged because to me A Christmas Carol is timeless. It has a moral, a great moral, and there is no reason to fuck with that.
Until this past week, my favorite version of this was actually the ballet version that they used to show on television when I was a kid. But now I have a new favorite. The version that came out last year (yes, another 3D miracle I should not watch as an epileptic) is my new most favorite because it was well done, it had Nathan Lane (love him!), the 3D was just bad ass, and it was fun to watch.
This is my mom's second favorite (Prancer is her first) and when I was little I loved it. Then when I got to be about 12 I was sick of it. I mean, she did not wait until December to watch this movie. She watched it all...the fucking...time. So for about nine years I refused to look at it, I wanted no part of it, and I swore I would never watch it again. But then when I was twenty one I caught it on television on Christmas Eve and before I knew it, my eyes were glued to the timeless story of Mr. George Bailey and his struggle to figure out what life is all about. Like A Christmas Carol, it has a timeless meaning behind it and who doesn't have at least one good memory of watching this?
When I was about five my great grandmother bought me the set of Christmas cartoons that had this and Frosty and all of those great cartoons from the '60's and '70's in them. I watched the hell out of those movies! As soon as Christmas break started every year, it was time to break out that great little box that contained the movies, get my sleeping bag, and curl up on the floor to watch them. During the holidays I think we all tend to miss those we love who have passed away and since Grandma Betty died in 1996, these movies took on a more sentimental meaning for me. Not only do I love them because they are great and I have a million fun memories of them, I also love them because they remind me of her. I don't know if she knew this but she actually gave me one of the greatest gifts I ever got because here I am, 19 years later, still watching these movies every year. I have passed them on to my baby sister and I will pass them on one day to my kids. And yeah, this one was my favorite (Ah, the love story of Kris and Jessica...it just gets me every time), it has the song I sang to Dakota while I was teaching her to walk (Put one foot in front of the other...and soon you'll be walking 'cross the floor...), and when I watch it I get as giddy as a six year old.
As I said earlier, this is my mom's favorite Christmas movie...mostly because she has a major thing for Sam Elliot (which is why I hate Roadhouse) and like It's A Wonderful Life, I spent many years hating this movie and swearing it off forever. But over the last couple of years I have found my love for this movie renewed. Certain scenes (especially the one where Jessica sleds through the scary old woman's flower bed and first goes inside her house) bring back my emotions that I had watching them when I was little which is what really makes Christmas movies special in my opinion. I used to watch this and think that it was...magical. So it is only fitting that I should watch it now when I am all grown up and childhood magic (you know, the kind of magic that made EVERYTHING look better than it really was?) is lost to me in this life and try, for two hours, to get that feeling back.
First, I must say that I love Hermey. Yeah, I know the movie is about Rudolf and I love him too but Hermey is my elf! An elf that wants to be a dentist kind of sums up the way I felt as a child. I was a misfit, Hermey was a misfit, Rudolf was too...and then...and then...there was a whole friggin' LAND of misfits! For me, the message I got from this when I was a kid was pretty simple. So you happen to be a little weird and you don't fit in. So what? One day you will be a dentist or a toy with an owner or the leader of Santa's friggin' sleigh and that is pretty cool. :)
Frosty was my little brother's favorite of our Christmas movie collection when we were little. It was really cute (and I am glad he doesn't read this because he would probably kick my ass for sharing) because Ryan would cry every time he watched it when Frosty melted. Every single time. And then I would have to be a nice big sister (something I really wasn't when we were kids) and tell him that it was like the song said. He would be back again and it was alright and all that. So when I watch this movie, it makes me think of my little bubby (who now has a baby of his own) crying his eyes out at the temporary death of Frosty. How sweet is that?
There are some movies that are hilarious the first time you see them and then the more you watch them the more the hilariaty of the film fades until parts that once inspired a big ole' belly laugh only gets a small smile. Yeah...This is NOT one of those movies for me. The first time I saw it I laughed my ass off from start to finish. I haven't watched it yet this year but I will and when I do, I will laugh my ass off from start to finish. I will not watch it on television because it just lacks its huge dose of fucking hilarious censored. And this movie produced one of my favorite lines of all time. I bet you all know what I am going to say because I am me, right? Well, if you didn't guess it, here it is: "Fuck me, Santa...Fuck me, Santa...Fuckk...mmeeeee....Sannnttttaaaaa!!!!" hahahaha Whoever wrote this script, I tip my hat to you because you, my friend are a bigger perv than I am and that is almost impossible! ;)
If you were a child in the early '90's and you never slapped your face and screamed like your ass was on fire just once because of this movie....were you Amish? lol This is another one that makes me think of my brother because he loved this movie. The old man scared the shit out of him, though. But more than that, I loved it because I wanted what Kevin had. I wanted my family to forget me all by myself for days. It did not matter if it happened during Christmas...or Valentines Day...or even the 4th of July. I wanted to be home alone doing what I wanted and having a great time with that. This movie also has my favorite version of Carol of the Bells in it. I will only watch the first one, by the way, because I believe that if you lose your kid and leave the fucking state without them TWICE CPS should really come and investigate you and you should NOT be rewarded with a movie contract. hahahaha
10) National Lampoon's Christmas VacationLet me start with a confession: When I was little I was in love with Chevy Chase. I watched everything he was in and I did so with this dreamy look on my creepy little face because I thought he was adorable. So yeah, Christmas time meant people would show this movie and I could get a little dose of my beloved Chevy. Plus...ummm....this movie was funny as hell.
"You'll shoot your eye out!" Hell yeah you will but before shooting your eye out, you will have to put up with a sarcastic teacher, a little asshole school bully, a brother who eats dinner like a pig, your mother and father who believe that the word 'fuck' should not come from your mouth no matter how bad you fudge up while helping dad put a tire on, and a Santa Claus that is probably drunk on whiskey and banging the little bitchy elf. Sound like fun? Of course not. Ralphie is my dude. Ralphie did not have an ideal adventure trying to get one fucking thing...just one...that he wanted for Christmas. He had to put up with ALOT of bullshit, ya know? But he perservered. He did not say "Oh well...no one wants to get it for me so I guess I want a sled". Hell no! He did everything he could possible do and in the end he got that Red Rider BB Gun. And yeah, he shot his fucking eye out with it. But I will bet you he went right back out the next day and shot the damned thing at any thing he could find in the back yard that might move. (Part two of the movie was cut out but it was the part where Ralphie developed his street rep as the badest squirrel killer since those brothers on Swamp People) Why? Because Ralphie knew what he wanted, he did not take no for an answer, and in the end he got it so do I think he will let a friggin' BB in the eye keep him from what he wants to do? Hell no I don't! Ralphie for president, biatches! lmao
The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorite movies of all time. I actually got it for Christmas when I was 7 (might have been 8) and from the first time I watched it I was enthralled...and in love. Jack Skellington is oh so sexy. Anyway, I am sure you are wondering why it is number 12 on this list if it is one of my favorite movies ever. Well, on my Halloween list of movies it would be number two (second only to Hocus Pocus). But this is my Christmas list and while I do watch this movie every year at Christmas time and I do consider it a half-breed (Half Halloween-Half Christmas) the movies I named above are simply higher on this particular list because they are pure breeds and I only watch them all one time a year and they have only Christmas memories attached.
So, there ya have it! My twelve favorite Christmas movies of all time. Please feel free to comment or, better yet, share your own list in the comments. I would love to hear what everyone has to say. If you have any memories attached to these movies, SHARE! And now, my friends, it is on to music.....
How's It Going? (Catching up on life and talking about Bag of Bones)
So, how's it going? Anything new and exciting (or new and fucking awful) happen since the last post? I hope you are all trying to avoid the holiday stress and all that which is pretty much impossible to do but I think you can. :) Me? Well, nothing mind blowing and amazing has happened but nothing bad has happened either. I'm content and that's all I ask. I've been pretty good about finishing my daily to-do lists and I've been working pretty steady on the next book (Rapunzel, the vampire version. I'll do a post soon and tell you all about it.) You see, my goal is to have it finished, edited, and out by March and because of all the slacking off I've done this year on it, that means I better bust my ass pretty hard to make that happen. This is my last week of class before break so I am going to use those two weeks to get down and dirty on the novel. But enough about work...
When it comes to my "real" life (personal stuff that is not about Castles Made of Sand) sometimes I feel like work is all I have to talk about. Sure, I could talk about my family (everyone is doing peachy) or my daily chores (I hate dishes and laundry, I've been really good about making the bed every day lately, and I really really need to run the sweeper) but that's just fucking boring. I know everyone loves hearing about people's love lives. I kind of have one. Well, I have this beautiful, brilliant, musically talented man (and since I know you will probably read this...Hi, babe! lol) that I want to eventually marry and have lots of sex and babies with. The highlight of my days is talking to him (whoever invented voice chat is a fucking genius!) and before bed each night I think dirty thoughts about him. But I don't think I can really call it a love life thing because we're not together (yet...yeah, I am working on that. lol). And he does read this so if I just want to go all sappy and gush over how fucking amazing he is, I will probably get busted doing that. Then he might think I am kind and sweet and that I have a soul and imagine how disappointed he would be when he realized the truth. hahahaha Anyway...
Are we done sharing our feelings now? I really suck at this and I want to talk about Bag of Bones. Oh yeah! For anyone who has already read the book but has yet to see the mini-series on A&E, if you loved the book, you will love the movie. So do what you have to do and check it out. Now, I had my reservations about Pierce Brosnan playing Mike because Mike was based on Stephen King and Pierce just doesn't strike me as...well...King-worthy. I normally am not fond of him in movies. But I have to say in this case I was wrong. He did a great job. I don't know what it is about corpses in King's stuff but they always seem to be perfect and this movie was no exception so of course I give two thumbs up to the makeup people. And, as always, two thumbs up to Stephen and the people who let him dictate everything to make the movie as real to the book as humanly possible. If you have watched the mini-series but you've not read the book (and you are the book reading type), the movie was great but the book and the visual images you get from it are even better. I refused to sleep for three days while I was reading that book. It went everywhere I went, including the bathroom. I even ate dinner reading the damned thing because I could not put it down. So, if you like books and you liked the mini-series, do yourself a favor, get your ass down to the library and get that book!
If you do not like Stephen King and you could really give a damn less about Bag of Bones and you are not so keen on emotions, I am sorry. There was really nothing for you in this post. What about Nirvana? Do you like Nirvana? Well, here ya go!
That song was stuck in my head when I woke up this morning and I am hoping if I spread it around and make others catch it like a terrible flu, it will finally stop playing through my mind. I love that tune. I really do. But hours of it in my head is just not welcomed. :)
Oh, and that part at the beginning where I was asking everyone how their week is going and all that? I really want to know. Comment, people, comment! These posts are so much better for me if there is some interaction going on. Otherwise I sort of feel like I am talking to myself and I do that every day anyway. So, tell me what's on your mind because I really want to know.
The next post is a little treat to commemorate the fact that we have 12 days until Christmas. It's my idea of holiday cheer....movies and music. So if you've gone all Grinchy Scrooge on the holiday this year, just ignore it.
And until next time, avoid the holiday stress and remember to smile. :)
When it comes to my "real" life (personal stuff that is not about Castles Made of Sand) sometimes I feel like work is all I have to talk about. Sure, I could talk about my family (everyone is doing peachy) or my daily chores (I hate dishes and laundry, I've been really good about making the bed every day lately, and I really really need to run the sweeper) but that's just fucking boring. I know everyone loves hearing about people's love lives. I kind of have one. Well, I have this beautiful, brilliant, musically talented man (and since I know you will probably read this...Hi, babe! lol) that I want to eventually marry and have lots of sex and babies with. The highlight of my days is talking to him (whoever invented voice chat is a fucking genius!) and before bed each night I think dirty thoughts about him. But I don't think I can really call it a love life thing because we're not together (yet...yeah, I am working on that. lol). And he does read this so if I just want to go all sappy and gush over how fucking amazing he is, I will probably get busted doing that. Then he might think I am kind and sweet and that I have a soul and imagine how disappointed he would be when he realized the truth. hahahaha Anyway...
Are we done sharing our feelings now? I really suck at this and I want to talk about Bag of Bones. Oh yeah! For anyone who has already read the book but has yet to see the mini-series on A&E, if you loved the book, you will love the movie. So do what you have to do and check it out. Now, I had my reservations about Pierce Brosnan playing Mike because Mike was based on Stephen King and Pierce just doesn't strike me as...well...King-worthy. I normally am not fond of him in movies. But I have to say in this case I was wrong. He did a great job. I don't know what it is about corpses in King's stuff but they always seem to be perfect and this movie was no exception so of course I give two thumbs up to the makeup people. And, as always, two thumbs up to Stephen and the people who let him dictate everything to make the movie as real to the book as humanly possible. If you have watched the mini-series but you've not read the book (and you are the book reading type), the movie was great but the book and the visual images you get from it are even better. I refused to sleep for three days while I was reading that book. It went everywhere I went, including the bathroom. I even ate dinner reading the damned thing because I could not put it down. So, if you like books and you liked the mini-series, do yourself a favor, get your ass down to the library and get that book!
If you do not like Stephen King and you could really give a damn less about Bag of Bones and you are not so keen on emotions, I am sorry. There was really nothing for you in this post. What about Nirvana? Do you like Nirvana? Well, here ya go!
That song was stuck in my head when I woke up this morning and I am hoping if I spread it around and make others catch it like a terrible flu, it will finally stop playing through my mind. I love that tune. I really do. But hours of it in my head is just not welcomed. :)
Oh, and that part at the beginning where I was asking everyone how their week is going and all that? I really want to know. Comment, people, comment! These posts are so much better for me if there is some interaction going on. Otherwise I sort of feel like I am talking to myself and I do that every day anyway. So, tell me what's on your mind because I really want to know.
The next post is a little treat to commemorate the fact that we have 12 days until Christmas. It's my idea of holiday cheer....movies and music. So if you've gone all Grinchy Scrooge on the holiday this year, just ignore it.
And until next time, avoid the holiday stress and remember to smile. :)
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