The Hollow Crown

As part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad and BBC's Shakespeare Unlocked Season, (and for all you Loki/Avengers fans) BBC is airing

The Hollow Crown 

A series of Shakespeare's adaptations of Richard II, Henry IV (parts I and 2) and Henry V 

The episodes were directed by prestigious British stage directors and all filmed on location in the UK.

This series seems to have gotten quite rave reviews for the acting and quality of production. 

The main themes point towards power struggles, redemption, family conflicts and betrayal.

If you are from the UK you can probably view it online, or purchase it, but for us US'ers-- it should be airing in the US later this year or in January/Feb. What can be said folks, we US'ers are always stuck with the thin edge of the wedge when it comes time for broadcasting these adaptations.

But keep your eyes open for this one! And if you've seen it let me know what you thought!

Starring:

 Ben Whishaw (Bright Star) plays Richard II

Jeremy Irons plays Henry IV

Tom Hiddleston (Avengers, Cranford 2) plays Henry V

Happy Viewing!

Downton Season 3 Sneak Peak, Harvey Dent and Frozen Working Tundra

unk source

My teeth are clattering as I pound out words on the computer keyboard in an effort to generate some heat from the rigorous movement.

What??--"It's summertime in Florda?! Impossible to be cold!".

Yes well...my lovely employers keep this office building set to polar climate temps and I have a hard time adjusting to air conditioning deluge.

I've resorted to hovering over my desktop vanilla candle, extracting every possible vestige of warmth.

The problem: I'm wearing a cute green stripey dress, and while I have a backup sweater for just such emergenices, it is bright orange and clashes horribly.

What's a girl to do?

To be warm? or To be a style trainwreck?

Which would you choose?

*in case you were wondering I am on my lunch break writing this-- I'm being a good girl ;)
_______________________________

 On my drive into and from work everyday I see numerous "Vote For Dent" signs stuck haphhazardly about the sidewalk areas.

How much of a Batman freak am I that I automatically assum it's Harvey Dent who's running for the position of District Attorney of Gotham City every time I pass one by??

I went to see The Dark Knight Rises last weekend with some friends and family.

Loved it. In my opinion, one of the best of the comic book-to-screen series.

_______________________________

Costume Drama Sneak Peak

This Downton Abbey picture off of their FB page  is genius.

Sneak Peak at upcoming Downton Abbey Season 3 plots from Masterpiece - airing January 6, 2013.

whoot, whoot!

"Downton's impeccable butler, Carson breaks in a new footman, who happens to be the nephew of the scheming lady's maid O'Brien. Following Matthew and Mary's engagement, Robert (the Earl) sticks to his duty to maintain Downton more firmly than ever — even as other great houses are crippled psychologically and financially in the wake of World War I.

With the arrival of Cora's mother (Shirley Maclaine) we'll learn more about the lady of the house. "She tells the whole story just by being there. You'll find out a lot more about [Cora] when she enters."

In this changing landscape nothing is assured, and could it be that even the war-weary Crawleys must fight a new battle to safeguard their beloved Downton?"

Looking forward to Season 3. It will be fab I'm sure.

Rumors are there is a surprise-ish wedding...maybe...and it has something to do with Miss Edith...

Side note: Doesn't the Chauffeur and Sybil make a darling couple. Can't wait to see more of them.

_______________________________

I had delicious spinach and artichoke pizza and a strawberry blondie ice cream for dinner when I got home. My dad was over and he treated my sister and I. Very sweet of him :)

And a great way to start the weekend, no?

And I hope you all have a lovely weekend as well.

I have quite a bit of work to catch up on with the business plans. Hopefully I'll make lots of progress. That's the plan. In reality I may just lounge by the pool sun tanning. Again.

Isn't that horrible?? Say yes.

Okay, so I will make every effort to stay focused. For the sake of my poor bank account.

There are not enough hours in the day! (or night for I am a night owl for sure :)

How will you spend your weekend?

Peace, friends.

Let's Not Wait

–– Costume Drama Photo of the Day* ––

Let's Not Wait

 by Ron Atchison

We will meet again my friend,
 

A hundred years from today

Far away from where we lived

And where we used to play.



We will know each others' eyes


And wonder where we met


Your laugh will sound familiar


Your heart, I won't forget.



We will meet, I'm sure of this,


But let's not wait till then...

Let's take a walk beneath the stars


And share this world again.



 __________________

I love this poem :)

I will think fondly of you friends when I am soaking in glorious sun rays at the beach side today...
It's nice to have a weekend off isn't it?

My current job is the first Mon-Fri 9-5 I've ever had.

The weekend's are oh so much more sweeter...and simply not enough time to do everything I'd like to do. Which is why it totally makes sense for me to not do anything on my to do list and instead--go to the beach?? 

Oh well...

Someone has to do it.

It might as well be me, this weekend :):)
 ______________

also

First ever give away on this blog --coming soon!

In honor of my new business launch!

whoot whoot
stay tuned...

Happy Weekend Friends...

 "This is the day
which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:2

*Little Dorrit

A Morning For Creepsters

This morning, I pulled up to a stoplight and found myself behind one of those creepy white euro vans. You know the ones I'm talking about...

They have like a foot an a half of extra "space" above their rear doors that runs the whole length of the van--perfect for storing that odd corpse or two, and the windows are a nice illegal shade of death black.

I can't help the sequence of thoughts that come rushing to mind--like every time I see one--some ski-masked psycho dude is going to spring out the back doors and pounce on me and my poor unsuspecting car.

We've all heard the "kidnapped" stories from when we were youngsters, no?

You can't tell me that you've never thought this as a large white van meanders itself up next to you and then stops directly in line with you and their front seat occupants. Totally casing you and your wheels.

My hand nonchalantly and ever so casually crept up to the door lock and clicked it (I try not to make a habit of driving with unlocked doors but sometimes I forget) When you live in the Jungle-otherwise known as Florida, there are hoodlums on every corner. Best to not tempt fate.

As soon as that light turned red I flipped my turn signal on, swerved to the left at the first opening and accelerated past the creepo van in quick fashion. Enough said.

Cruising ever so cooly down the road now enjoying the fact that I'm totally far ahead of all those poor saps still stuck behind that moving death-mobile, and trying not to keep my eyes glued on the mirrors to make sure I wasn't being followed...you know, because they totally could have been...,

Only to find myself smack dab in the middle of a  "creepster-old-dude-ogling-me-as he practically hangs-out-of-his-white-pickup-truck" scenario.

What's the deal people?? I'd like to say it was because I was looking mad hot, but yeah. I wasn't. Total frumpster.  Not quite sure what was going on...

I tried not to obchuck my lenders breakfast bagel all over the steering wheel.

Dis-gusting. Seriously???? Keep your eyes in your own head nasty man.

So pedal to the medal my friends. This girl got out of that lane and prayed there were no police cruisers lurking around to spy my speedy flight.

Moral of the story? 

I'm going to find somebody to tint my car windows a nice ILLEGAL shade of death black, and I'll be all good.

Otherwise, I totally enjoy my journeys into work every morning, yes, yes I do :)

Happy Tuesday folks!


The End.

Next Big Film Since Harry Potter

Get ready for the next big fantasy film since Harry Potter...or so I have been hearing.

This up and coming Costume Drama Movie is based on a very popular series about a teenage boy living in Victorian England who gets sent to work as a magician's apprentice assisting with stage shows for guests at the Prince Regent––an enormously imposing hotel built into the side of a cliff.

The above stairs guests experience every kind of luxury in this steam powered marvel of a hotel.

Below ground floors? Murky slimy passageways and basement rooms abounding in murder and every other kind of egregious shenanigans.

The boy's name? Mariah Mundi

The name of this teen thriller? 

Mariah Mundi and The Midas Box

Based on the novel written by G.P. Taylor 

(author of Shadowmancer, and interestingly-former English Vicar, dubbed "next c.s. lewis")

Aneurin Barnard actor in title role

Mariah soon uncovers, with the help of a servant girl, that every other apprentice before him has mysteriously disappeared including his brother before him, Felix.

The hotel's owner is an evil man bent on finding a box that will turn everything to gold and by any means necessary.

And he is only one of a host of interesting and diverse characters in this story including Captain Charity-a strange sort of eccentric "Indiana Jones" type of character who they team up with to help them in their quest to find Mariah's brother and the mystery behind his disappearing parents as well.

I have not read this series (although I just might pick up a copy now, my interest having been piqued), and I have heard it has a Dickensian feel to it with a heavy dose of epic goodness vs. evil theme which sounds doubly interesting :)

This movie has already finished filming and is set to release in 2013.

Lots of great actors including Sam Neil, Michael Sheen, Keeley Hawes, Ioan Gruffud and Lena Headey.

Have you heard of this story?? Read it already? Recommend it, or not? Let us know!

Captain Charity played by Michael Sheen

fantastic cover art!!

 The End.

Colossal Magical Air Beasts

via pinterest

I was driving home early this evening, within a wide stretch of three gloriously empty lanes, tunes blaring on the radio, sunlight streaming across the sky on its merry way to meet the horizon line when I reached one of my favorite parts of the trek home.

I was passing the local airport.

I had my eyes on the upcoming traffic signal to gauge whether or not I should start gunning the gas pedal to make it through in time :) when whoosh, right above that green light, I was rewarded with a broadside view of a massive jetliner, roaring it's mammoth self upward.

It looked as if it was only a few yards above the power lines. There we were, just me with my mouth gaping open and this large, gleaming Air Beast.

It actually took my breath away.

If I reached up high enough--I just knew I could touch it.

Seeing those tinted windows, like so many pairs of hooded eyes, staring down at me.

Teasing me. For I am stuck down here while they, they are headed for the azure expanse of wide open skies.

Airways that promise of untold adventures, thrilling new landscapes and anticipated experiences to come. Just waiting on the other side of destination.

When I see a plane I'm still amazed that we ever figured out such a thing. Flight. It's incredible.  

Cocooned in a metal shell cruising through the air somewhere around 550 miles/hr.

my first glimpse of England :)

and over Sicily, Italy :)

Is there anything quite like seeing the sun streaming through puffy clouds––when you are actually inside those puffy clouds??

Let me answer that for you––um no, nothing.

Ladies and gentleman, I may have missed my true calling..."Please be seated, with your seats in the upright position with tray table upright and locked and with your seatbelt fastened."

You see? I know what I'm talking about. Uh huh...

Can I admit something?

Every time a plane falls into view, I am instantly curious.

Who are those people seated within? Hundreds of yards above my head––where are they going?? What are their stories? What about the pilots and airflight attendants--are they just plumb beat and looking forward to one last trip before home? Or excited to be soaring through the air again?

Antonio Zarli

Are the passengers eager? Disgruntled and dreading their destination? Could they be visiting a family member, one last time, before saying goodbye? Or reuniting with a lover or loved ones after many months apart? Leaving friends and family behind to start fresh in a new city?

I suppose my highly romanticized view of it all is inspired by all the good experiences I've had flying. I know, I know it's not all great times...

Like the time when we hit major turbulence and I almost hurled the contents of my queasy stomach all over the nice Indian man telling me all about his Hindu religion. Close call, friends, that was. It wasn't pretty.

But all in all, there's just something magical about it. 

One moment I can be standing on the hot sunny tarmac of the Sunshine state, and within a few hours I can be thousands of miles away in another country and or continent breathing in unfamiliar air. Discovering different and distinct cultures, peoples and foods. Delicioso.

And yes. Magical, I'd say.

Casting my vision upwards and catching a brief glimpse of people in a super fast flying capsule far above my head--this is something that will always fascinate me, I think. How could it not??

I hope that sometime soon, I can join their ranks up there in the sky. Journey to a new place I've never been before. Do some good for others. Enjoy being alive and this planet that God gave us. Then I'd journey somewhere else...

And do it all over again.

Until then, I will just have to enjoy watching from far below. 

A girl on her way home from work, anticipating a peek at those captivating streamlined curves. Hopeful to spy the precise choreography that catapults that colossal beast, soaring high in the sky.

Oh, and by the way, the captain has turned off the fasten seatbelt sign and you may now walk freely in the cabin.

Merry Travels ;)