The back of Aidan's Harry Potter costume (from movie 4, Goblet of Fire)
Monday, October 31, 2005
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Greek philosophy, Tarantino style
You have to read it to believe it: http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/006952.html#006952.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
The Ghost of Halloweens Past
I thought I would quick post some pictures of the boys in Halloweens past. Quin spends so much time on these costumes they deserve a big showcase. Sadly, there was nothing "quick" about this exercise. 100 error messages later, I did get every picture up there. Good grief!
They are going to be Harry Potter and Ron Weasley this year. The wands are done and the robes are on the way. I'll post a pic of this year's costumes when they're ready.
The only one of the costumes that follow that I did any work on was Oliver's woodland fairy. I did that one. Except the wings; Quin did the wings.
They are going to be Harry Potter and Ron Weasley this year. The wands are done and the robes are on the way. I'll post a pic of this year's costumes when they're ready.
The only one of the costumes that follow that I did any work on was Oliver's woodland fairy. I did that one. Except the wings; Quin did the wings.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Would you read this book?
(Greenland, 1409)
In a world where all Norse are now Christians, one tribe strikes out on their own, looking for a place to make a settlement where they can follow the old ways. But the warming trend in the climate that made farming possible for the Norse in Greenland is over and the Little Ice Age has begun. The only way to survive in Greenland is to live as the Inuit live, but to live as the Inuit live is to no longer be Norse.
This is the world Thordís Thorrgilsdottír is born into. When her father, who was both chieftain and priest, is murdered, Thordís takes up the mantle of leadership for this wayward clan. But where should she lead them? Back to the Norse Settlements, where being a member of the community is only possible if one converts to the new religion? Or should she accept the Inuit’s offer to help her people adopt their lifestyle, knowing that the Norse ways would be forgotten in a few generations?
Thordís searches for a third option. Her quest takes her to the spirit world, where a man she’s never met seems to know her very well, and to the future, where a pair of siblings must choose whether to help her return to rescue her own people or keep her with them, where she could be the key to saving their own family.
And in the end Thordís will have to decide whether her own destiny lies with that of her people or somewhere else entirely.
(You'll forgive me, but I just had to start with "In a world where...")
In a world where all Norse are now Christians, one tribe strikes out on their own, looking for a place to make a settlement where they can follow the old ways. But the warming trend in the climate that made farming possible for the Norse in Greenland is over and the Little Ice Age has begun. The only way to survive in Greenland is to live as the Inuit live, but to live as the Inuit live is to no longer be Norse.
This is the world Thordís Thorrgilsdottír is born into. When her father, who was both chieftain and priest, is murdered, Thordís takes up the mantle of leadership for this wayward clan. But where should she lead them? Back to the Norse Settlements, where being a member of the community is only possible if one converts to the new religion? Or should she accept the Inuit’s offer to help her people adopt their lifestyle, knowing that the Norse ways would be forgotten in a few generations?
Thordís searches for a third option. Her quest takes her to the spirit world, where a man she’s never met seems to know her very well, and to the future, where a pair of siblings must choose whether to help her return to rescue her own people or keep her with them, where she could be the key to saving their own family.
And in the end Thordís will have to decide whether her own destiny lies with that of her people or somewhere else entirely.
(You'll forgive me, but I just had to start with "In a world where...")
Saturday, October 22, 2005
On Scientology
Dennis Miller once lamented the fact that as much as Freedom of Speech is worth defending, does it really have to be 2 Live Crew's "Me So Horny" that we make a stand for?
Scientology, like 2 Live Crew, gets no respect. Why? It can't just be because it seems to be based on silly principles. That's true of almost any religion if you dig deep enough. Not to pick on the Mormons, but that would be a good place to start digging. But the Mormons are actually a good example. Most Mormons you meet are happy, well-adjusted people. They don't dowse for treasure, talk to ancient Egyptian gods, or practice black magic (not that there's anything wrong with that - pagan, remember?). I've never met a Scientologist, but I imagine if I did the space alien thing wouldn't come to mind either. Not to my mind, anyway; I can't speak for yours.
So what's my point? I'm tired of Scientology "jokes". It's socially OK to mock them in a way that it's not OK to mock, say Jews. Yes, yes, Freedom of Speech and all that, you can certainly say what you want, but unless you're George Carlin or Steve Martin you're not being funny. Bowfinger was hilarious, but note Martin is very indirect. The word "Scientology" never comes up, yet we all know that's what he's talking about.
What is being said isn't even particularly original, quite frankly; I hear the same comments over and over again. They're just being disrespectful and rude, and socially acceptable rudeness is the worst kind. What Freedom of Speech means is that you have a choice what to say and what not to say, and you distinguish yourself by not just saying everything that comes to mind.
All right, end of lecture. Speaking of Scientologists, may I recommend Beck's new song, "Girl"? Only Beck could write a song that sounds this happy yet contains the line "You know I'm gonna make her die." Maybe he means dye, like his clothes?
Scientology, like 2 Live Crew, gets no respect. Why? It can't just be because it seems to be based on silly principles. That's true of almost any religion if you dig deep enough. Not to pick on the Mormons, but that would be a good place to start digging. But the Mormons are actually a good example. Most Mormons you meet are happy, well-adjusted people. They don't dowse for treasure, talk to ancient Egyptian gods, or practice black magic (not that there's anything wrong with that - pagan, remember?). I've never met a Scientologist, but I imagine if I did the space alien thing wouldn't come to mind either. Not to my mind, anyway; I can't speak for yours.
So what's my point? I'm tired of Scientology "jokes". It's socially OK to mock them in a way that it's not OK to mock, say Jews. Yes, yes, Freedom of Speech and all that, you can certainly say what you want, but unless you're George Carlin or Steve Martin you're not being funny. Bowfinger was hilarious, but note Martin is very indirect. The word "Scientology" never comes up, yet we all know that's what he's talking about.
What is being said isn't even particularly original, quite frankly; I hear the same comments over and over again. They're just being disrespectful and rude, and socially acceptable rudeness is the worst kind. What Freedom of Speech means is that you have a choice what to say and what not to say, and you distinguish yourself by not just saying everything that comes to mind.
All right, end of lecture. Speaking of Scientologists, may I recommend Beck's new song, "Girl"? Only Beck could write a song that sounds this happy yet contains the line "You know I'm gonna make her die." Maybe he means dye, like his clothes?
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Faulty analogy?
Have you ever seen the movie The Fifth Element? Well, you should. But aside from that, in this movie Chris Tucker wears a dress. Now the director had a sense that if he just asked Chris Tucker to wear a dress, the actor would say no. So he had the costume designer draw up some really outrageous, out-there designs. When Chris Tucker flipped out, the director pulled out the original designs, much tamer by comparison. That's how you get Chris Tucker in a dress.
This story has come to mind everytime I read a story about Harriet Miers. My Pollyanna nature likes to think the best of all people, but I'm starting to feel like someone is pulling a prank here. He can't honestly think she is the best he can find for that job. But maybe I'm wrong about her. But maybe I'm right, 'cause you know I'm the freak that doesn't think Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie are as nuts as they act (hello, people, they're actors!).
Anyway, it's some final polishing to Full Circle today and then back to the novel. Which I'm calling Hammer and Snowflake, but if you must you can think of it as "Vikings in Space".
This story has come to mind everytime I read a story about Harriet Miers. My Pollyanna nature likes to think the best of all people, but I'm starting to feel like someone is pulling a prank here. He can't honestly think she is the best he can find for that job. But maybe I'm wrong about her. But maybe I'm right, 'cause you know I'm the freak that doesn't think Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie are as nuts as they act (hello, people, they're actors!).
Anyway, it's some final polishing to Full Circle today and then back to the novel. Which I'm calling Hammer and Snowflake, but if you must you can think of it as "Vikings in Space".
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