Category: Blog

“I’m taking him to Kattegat with me.”

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“Odin gave his eye to aquire knowledge. I would give far more.”

“The gods will always smile on brave women.”

“It is one thing to use a weapon, but another to kill.”

Once, near Kattegat, there was a farmer. Ragnar Lothbrok. He lived with his family, and would go on the summer raids for the earl. But he was tired of raiding the same lands again and again to the East. He longed to go West. And he did. And gained more adventure than he wished.

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Ragnar Lothbrok – A farmer with a dream of what lies West.

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Lagertha – Shieldmaiden and Ragnar’s wife. Her skill on the battlefield is second to her love for her family.

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Rollo – Ragnar’s brother. He loves his brother even as he fights his jealously of him.

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Floki – Shipbuilder and Ragnar’s friend. His skill will help gain Ragnar the West.

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Athelstan – A monk taken on the first raid. He will teach Ragnar, and gain his trust as few will.

The Northmen are making themselves known to the world beyond their lands. And they will change everything.

Personal note:
Ah, Vikings. I do love this show. As great as the action is, it is second to the acting.

One great thing is the use of Old Norse and Old English. The language barrier is shown and subtitles are a part of the watching experience.

One of the best things is hearing my gods spoken of as part of the characters’ lives. To have Odin shown walking through a battlefield. And the ghost hands of Valkyries carrying off a warrior to Valhalla.

Watch the show. Enjoy the storytelling. Join the raid.

 “That’s a real gasser, right Mr. J?” 

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“Can’t be too careful with all those weirdos around.”

“Makes you want to laugh, doesn’t it, Artie? “

“Why so serious?”

“Let’s put a smile on that face!”

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The Clown Prince of Crime.

Harley’s Puddin’.

Batman’s perfect nemesis.

The Joker.

But not just any Jokers. We are talking about my two fav Jokers, Heath Ledger’s from The Dark Knight and, the ultimate for me, Mark Hamill’s in various animated shows and video games.

Heath defied expectations and just plain blew people’s minds with his Joker.  The funny, romantic leading man we were used to was gone.

In front of us was someone who would kill ya soon as look at ya. One with his own twisted logic and a cold view of the world. A true agent of chaos.

Mark’s Joker is ever so full of glee as he goes about his crimes with unmistakable panache and whimsy. And a code of honor. Of a sort. Regarding his buddy, Bats, at least. Unless he can get a laugh.

While I did so enjoy Heath’s Joker, such a lovely laugh, Mark will always be my Joker. But that perhaps should not be a surprise. It seems to be predestined.

mARK HAMill

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“I have Issues.”

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But not as many as I’d like. They’re a bit scattered so can’t give you a number, but have like two of those boxes and one or two half that size, in addition to the scattered ones. And bunch on my Nook.

Mostly from early to mid 90s

Marvel and DC of course.

There’s also a good number from a house that used to be here in town, Chaos Comics.

Loads of Sandman. And even got one signed by Stan Lee, which can’t find so can’t prove but trust me.

I went away from for a bit. Then a buddy where I used to work sparked my interest in them again. Him and the comic book movies that have been coming out.

They’re a simple media that can convey complex ideas. As well as exciting storylines.

And there are more than just superhero comics out there. Much more.

Take a look and see if your library has some. And don’t be afraid to go to the teen section to look. It’ll be worth the gander.

Tea & Coffee #36

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And how does the day find you?

We’re in a quick cold snap right now. Yesterday was mid 80s, today is supposed to be 67 and tomorrow 77 before going back to up to the 80s the next day.

Ah, the first full week of A-Z Blog done. And somehow I’m managing to keep up. And happily, I’ve managed to turn a few people on to fandoms of mine.

Work is blah, isn’t it always?

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (West Coast Edition) opened this week. Saw a bit on a video from the opening ceremonies. They did a cool light show over Hogwarts Castle in it, with the colors and crests of  the Houses. Of course ours was the coolest. Couldn’t find the short clip I saw, but starts about 9:25 on this vid.

When I win the lottery (ha ha), one of the first things would be to go to the Orlando one. I’ve read how theirs is and sounds so good. Buy myself some school robes and a wand, then go to the California one.

I did a question on my Facebook, about what things would have to be in your dream home.

In mine, I would have to have a proper study and library. I’m talking like Victorian here. Dark wood and patterned carpet. A small fireplace. Sliding doors separating the study from the library. A nice sturdy desk with a hidden drawer or two. There’d be a card catalog for the library, cause I’m geeky like that. A chair could fall asleep in.

There would also have to be a geek’s lair. For my small collection of collectables, comics, and DVDs. A few posters on the walls. Some manner of table in the middle for games and such. Maybe even a kitchenette set up in one corner so wouldn’t have to go thru the house for snacks. What would be in your dream house?

Oh, and Star Wars The Force Awakens came out this week. Went to the store after work first day and got it. I was a little tired so hadn’t planned on watching any of it that night. But didn’t have to work the next day, so when 1 or 2 in the morning rolled around and I was still up, decided to watch the bonus disc. I do so enjoy bonus features. But first, had to sing the (not quite the whole) theme song before could open the plastic. Twice.

I think it was this week got first look at The Killing Joke animated video. For those who don’t know, The Killing Joke is one of the most famous Batman graphic novels. If you saw The Dark Knight, at the end where Joker is talking about how all it takes is that one moment to push someone over the line as he did with Harvey Dent and tried to do with the passengers on the boats, this is where Christopher Nolan got that from.

The Joker gives Commissioner Gordon ‘one bad day’ in an attempt to push him over the edge. It also has an origin story for Joker that has come to be considered canon, even though the graphic novel isn’t meant to be.

The cherry on top of this is who is doing the voices for Batman and Joker. The best voice duo: Kevin Convoy and Mark Hamill. The ones who became the voices of Batman and Joker for so many of us via Batman the Animated Series. Us fans wouldn’t have been happy with anyone else doing the voices.

https://youtu.be/QgRb8Y5jKtw

Forgot to tell you I saw Batman vs Superman with me best mate end of last month. I had read a fan review that just tore the movie apart, so had that going thru my head as watched it. But it was better than I was expecting. And even that review gave a nod to Ben Affleck in the role, and especially with Jeremy Iron’s Alfred. And the funny thing is the actors who played Thomas and Martha Wayne in the flashback were Jeffery Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan, who I would see on the following Sunday in the season finale of The Walking Dead.

You remember how I was going on about Negan coming. Jeffrey played Negan and Lauren is one of the regular cast who finds herself in his clutches. And the finale ended in a cliffhanger that is driving fans crazy. And I admit, I was not happy either. But a little thought and I did agree that the reveal should be the start of the new chapter of next season and not the end of this chapter. And most of us have an idea of how things will play out. It was such an anticipated scene that people wanted their cake right then.

I am doing a little prelim work on my Camp NaNo for July, and even for NaNo proper in November.

I bought a shirt online and it came in couple days ago. What think? 

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Oh, did you hear the radio? On Sunday mornings I listen to ‘Breakfast with The Beatles’ . Today is the 46th anniversary of Paul McCartney announcing he was leaving the band and they became no more.

“What’s your House?”

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“Welcome to Hogwarts.”

“The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.”

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A lonely boy discovers that he is a wizard and that there is a school where he can learn how to do magic. Harry Potter finds friends for the first time in the houses of Hogwarts. He also realizes his past and future.

The houses are named for their founders and symbolize the values each held dear.

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave of heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff 
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw
If you’ve a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning
Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin
You’ll make your true friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.

They serve as a home away from home for the students. And the students’ behavior adds or subtracts points from their house with regards to the annual House Cup.

Often, rightly or wrongly, how one is treated is based on one’s house. Or at least the expectations held about one.

Personal note:

Yup, coulda just done Harry. But let’s face it.

The idea of the Hogwarts Houses have extended far beyond just Harry and his world. Other fandoms are being Sorted into them, as well as real people.

The joke that ‘What’s your house?’ has replaced the old ‘What’s your sign?’ is not entirely without merit.

I have a Slytherin lanyard I wear at work. And I’ve had people be surprised that I would advertise that I’m a Snake. They offer up the other houses I should be in, usually their own.

Be it an interesting trivia point for some, or a point of great pride for others, the Hogwarts Houses have made their mark in the Muggle world.

“For Gondor!”

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“Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?”

You have nice manners for a thief and a liar,” said the dragon.

“A day may come when the courage of men fails… but it is not THIS day.”

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”

Hobbits are short, unassuming creatures. Homebodies, concerned more with a warm fire, a full pipe, and mealtimes than with the world outside their door.

But when they are moved to adventure, oh, the differences they can make.

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Once, a long slumbering dragon awoke, as did the greed in the heart of a dwarf.

Once, dark forces threatened Middle Earth, forcing alliances between enemies.

And each time, at the center, stood a Hobbit.

Personal note:

What can I say that has not been already better said?

I admit, it was not til last year that I read The Lord of the Rings. I had read The Hobbit years ago, so it was an overdue reread last year.

And the movies. I will be missing out on my friends’ marathon watching of them this year, but may plan a personal one.

The gold standard for High Fantasy. Do yourself a favor. Go to Middle Earth. See what not onlu could have been, but should have been.

“You know, the Family business.”

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“Bitch.”
“Jerk.”

“I’m the one who gripped you tight and raised you from Perdition.”

“Hello, boys.”

“Lucifer, you’re my brother and I love you. But you are a great, big bag of dicks.”

On November 2, 1983, Mary Winchester was murdered in the nursery of her younger son. Her husband’s grief drove him to raise their two sons on the run as he searched for her killer, taking odd jobs or stealing to survive. In the process, he turned them into what she had once been and had wanted to avoid for her children.

Hunters of the things that  go bump in the night.

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Dean Winchester – the older brother. His life is mandated by one order from his father on the night of his mother’s death. “Look after your brother.”sam

Sam Winchester – the younger brother. He left to lead the life his mother always wanted for him. Only to get drug back into the one his father left him.

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Castiel – an angel of the Lord who existence has become bound to that of the Winchesters. To the point where he rebelled against Heaven and briefly took over God’s job.

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Crowley – former crossroads demon, now King of Hell. Begrudging respect for the Winchesters, but he rather that he’s the one to finally kill them.

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Baby – Dean’s pride and joy. Can take as much of a beating as her owner and comes back for more.

Vampires, werewolves, urban legends, and ghosts are like a vacation for Dean and Sam. Especially when you’re on the hit list for any number of demons, angels, and gods.

They’ve been to both Heaven and Hell. Back and forth in time. Died and come back to life. More than once in most cases.

And because they’re brothers, their worse battles have sometimes been with each other. But in the end, they got each other’s back against everything else.

 

Personal note:

Supernatural is not for those adverse to ‘the feels’. It will rip your heart out many times if you let it.

It also is a riot at times, with whole episodes that make you wonder what exactly the writers were thinking (or smoking).

Any situation or picture you can find, there will be a Supernatural gif for it.

It is one of the leading fandoms on Tumblr, both by itself and as part of SuperWhoLock (the superfandom with Doctor Who and Sherlock).

It’s not every fandom whose members discuss which death of the main characters hurt the most, or who bemoan the death of Lucifer. And of Death.

Supernatural is quite it’s own creature and has to be experienced to be believed.

“Adjust the equalizer.”

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Yes.

My near constant companion. If you see me, my headphones will be in and music playing.

The sound of the notes. Of the words themselves.

The emotion. The imagery.

The sharing of experiences and ideas.

The saving of sanities.

The oneness at a concert, or the aloness of headphones.

Finding that one song to hold to your heart.

The songs that speak what you can’t find words for.

The songs that need no words.

Fits all moods. All occasions.

The universal language.

“Doctor!”

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“Time And Relative Dimension In Space.”

“You know what they call me in the ancient legends of the Dalek homeworld? The Oncoming Storm.”

“I am definitely a madman with a box!”

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The Doctor – from the planet Gallifrey in the Constellation Kasterborous.

The Doctor has been exploring the whole wide universe and time itself for some centuries. Helping people, making friends, and changing lives. Albeit, not always for the better.

But he has an excitement and exuberance that can be infectious.

And he makes mistakes, but do not take him for a fool.

Never, ever, take him for a fool.

He’s worn different clothes, and bodies, and faces, over the years. And how he expresses himself can be different.

But he is the same man, always.

Personal note:

My first Doctor was the Fifth. I saw his first story on PBS during a school vacation. And didn’t really see him again til he was MY Doctor. The Ninth.

They’re in order up there, just count over if you’d like.

If you think the description is a little vague, it is. The Doctor is hard to pin down. And there’s a great tendency to get rambly, cause you think of the time he did this. Or when this happened. And then there’s when this wasn’t actually connected to that, but it seems like it was just because it’s The Doctor.

He has to be experienced. Just jump in. You’ll find your Doctor soon enough. Just be ready for when things go wibbly wobbly timey wimey.