Mystery Man

So...I didn't actually read all of it. 

It cost me a nickel and the cover made me laugh...but I don't feel like finishing it. Not at this time anyway. I will be leaving my bookmark for future reference though. I WILL finish it.

I don't know if it's because I started it right after reading a classic, but I don't care for the writing style. Or the subject matter to be honest. I also don't like it up to this point because the plot is highly unrealistic and ridiculous. Other people would like it, just not me. 

And so, I will put the brakes on Mystery Man for the time being and move on to a book about Communists that I promised my dad I would read. 

The Once and Future King

Hic jacet Arthurus Rex quandam Rexque futurus

Here lies Arthur. The Once and Future King.

Surprising to some people, my desire to read this book was not a result of my Merlin BBC obsession. I have always enjoyed Arthurian legend, just as I have always liked the stories surrounding Robin Hood and Peter Pan. The first book of The Once and Future King  is the well-known story The Sword in the Stone. 

Disney's amazing adaptation of The Sword in the Stone captured accurately the atmosphere of the first part of The Once and Future King. Everything was mostly silly and lighthearted but with no lack of meaning. Under Merlyn's tutelage, Arthur learns the skills that he needs to withdraw the sword from the stone and anvil. Arthur then becomes the King of England.

Immediately after this event, The Once and Future King completely transforms into a book of war philosophy and...bad things... The philosophy part was interesting to me. With the bad things however, I was frustrated with how T.H. White resolved them. 

When Arthur is nineteen, he is supposedly seduced by his half-sister who is twice his age. I however interpret it differently because Morgause uses magic to make Arthur love her. To me, that does not make things consensual. And then Merlyn makes me mad because he knew what was going to happen and he didn't warn Arthur at all. And then he accuses Arthur of incest and adultery. Grrrrr. T.H. White, whyyy.

T.H. White did use Sir Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur as reference so it's possible that things happened differently, but this is how I feel about White's version.

Not only is Arthur taken advantage of, Lancelot is as well. Twice.

The entire book, Arthur and Lancelot blame themselves until the end and it's really depressing to read about. It wasn't their fault :(

Arthur is the only character that I really liked. All he wants is everyone's happiness even if it means sacrificing his own and his kingdom still crumbles around him. Merlyn tells Arthur about Guenever and Lancelot before any of them have even met. When Arthur meets Guenever and  Lancelot, he loves them both. Lancelot becomes his best friend and Guenever becomes his wife. Then Guenever and Lancelot have to go and be losers. Arthur knows about everything between Lancelot and Guenever. He knows. He never brings it up though ever because he loves Guenever and Lancelot and wants them to be happy. They even know that Arthur knows. There is some unspoken agreement to just not talk about it. 

 I blame Guenever for Camelot's demise. Lancelot was her true love or whatever, but she was the queen. She was Arthur's wife, and her level of responsibility was way beyond herself. She was selfish and took advantage of Arthur's kindness. After the quest for the Holy Grail, Lancelot told Guenever that from then on he would be a man of God only. Guenever however, didn't care about Lancelot's feelings apparently because she badgered him mercilessly for years until he relented to be with her again. 

This affair leads to a series of events that eventually leads Camelot to destruction.

I liked the book, truly. I just really hate Guenever.  

I'm interested to read other interpretations of the story. Maybe she isn't such a bitch in the other versions. God, she's horrible.

Really though, it is a good read overall. I found lots of quotes that I like and philosophies to live by.

"I will tell you something else, King, which may be a surprise for you. It will not happen for hundreds of years, but both of us are to come back. Do you know what is to be written on your tombstone? Hic jacet Arthurus Rex quandam Rexque futurus. Do you remember your Latin? It means, the once and future king."

"I am to come back as well as you?"

"Some say from the vale of Avilion."

The King thought about it in silence.

"I wonder," he said at last, "whether they will remember about our Table?"

Merlyn did not answer. His head was bowed on the white beard and his hands clasped between his knees.

"What sort of people will they be, Merlyn?"

Quite cool sometimes.

Have fun with that Magneto. I hope you love beheaded unicorns :(

MERTHUR IS CANON

MERTHUR IS CANON YEAAAAAHHH

I'm not even embarrassed.

It has actually been confirmed by people who actually wrote and produced Merlin. 

Of course us fans knew this since episode one. But now, it's an actual thing and it makes me so happy.

I'M SUCH A DORK AND I DON'T CARE

Commentary with co-creator of Merlin, Julian Murphy, and also Katie McGrath.

Hitchhiker's Guide

DON'T PANIC

In all honesty, I don't even know what my rating for this book would be. This is one of the few comedic books that I have read. Usually, I lean towards the more serious, drama-filled books that make people cry. I tried to read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy when I was in high school, but I really had no taste at all for the sarcasm. This was around the time that I was reading Crime and Punishment for fun. I LOVE that book...

So I got about a chapter of the book read in high school and I pretty much regarded it as garbage. I watched the movie. I hated it. I still don't like the movie. 

A few months ago, I decided to return to the book and force myself through it. I was immediately punched in the face by how witty Douglas Adams' writing is. I loved it. I found it hilarious and ridiculous and completely unbelievable which I'm sure is the purpose.

While I really liked the writing, I unfortunately didn't like any characters except for Marvin. Because I had no attachment to the characters, I eventually lost interest in the actual story. Adams' writing style however never disappointed.

I will say, even though I didn't like the book in it's entirety, I'm not sorry for reading it. I would suggest it to anyone. My problem is that I usually only want to read books that make me feel some feelings, and I apparently can't handle books whose sole purpose is to make people laugh. Not my cup of tea apparently. I'm not even an unhappy person. 

I really liked the ending, though. I think it appropriately reflected the entirety of the story. I feel like it was worth reading the whole thing just for the ending. I felt the same was about For Whom the Bell Tolls by Earnest Hemmingway. The ending is so freaking cool. 

Anyways, books are neat and I love them.

and this picture.

Sherlock Holmes is Following Me

But really, he is. 

On Christmas Eve, I watched the finale of Merlin. It made me sad, so I decided that I would continue reading The Sword in the Stone where I had left off last year. I still had a bookmark in it. When I opened the book to chapter seventeen, the first thing I read was "Merlyn put his fingers together like Sherlock Holmes." Although The Sword in the Stone is an example of Arthurian legend, T.H. White uses many modern references due to Merlyn's existence being an anachronism. When I saw the Sherlock Holmes reference, I was exited, but not too surprised. 

So then today, I was reading Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The whole time I'm reading it, I'm imagining Martin Freeman as Arthur Dent because that's how it is in the movie. And then, it chapter fifteen of So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish, it says, "his name was simply John Watson."

then I was like, "awesome. now what do I do."

Because they're the same person. In my brain.

And then I realized that it was the second book in a row that I  have read in which there was in some way a Sherlock Holmes reference. Perhaps the book gods are trying to send me a sign.

Four hours later...

I just got back from the mall where I bought Vampire Stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. After I bought it I realized that included in these vampire stories is The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire, a Sherlock Holmes short story! I should have expected it because it is Conan Doyle, but I still think that it is further evidence that I'm being followed.

On a side note, I told my parents that I wanted this bust of John Adams for my birthday:

And they took me seriously and it makes me cry with happiness.

National Television Awards: I voted...

First there was this...

and then there was this...

After much conflict in the deepest part of my soul, I voted for Merlin and Colin Morgan. Reasons: Merlin will never get a chance ever again, and Doctor Who will probably get a chance every year forever. Sherlock hopefully will be in the same circumstances. Merlin, admittedly is the underdog because it isn't as wide-spread as Sherlock or Doctor Who, but I really think it deserves something for it's amazingness. If Merlin wins, I predict that it would be because Moffateers have split their votes between Sherlock and Doctor Who. I will be happy with whoever wins, because I love it all, but Merlin is my top choice (and next Sherlock, and next Doctor Who).

For best actor I chose Colin Morgan. If not Colin Morgan I'm not sure who I would have chosen. I picked him because he is an exceedingly flexible actor. 

He can do this

and this

and this

and this

and this

He really is incredible and I think honestly deserves the award the most. I love the acting of Matt Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch, but....Colin Morgan's has a very unique brilliance.

Tumblr is currently in a fandom civil war. Join the fight! You do not have to be British to vote! Do it! http://www.nationaltvawards.com/ you don't have to register or anything!!!

but at least vote for one of these people and their respective shows.

(in other categories I voted for Karen Gillan, and The Big Bang Theory. I skipped over everything else.)

Manikins and Magicians

I am CPR and First-Aid certified!!

At my training, I named my manikin Legolas, and my neighbor named hers Gimli. Naturally, Legolas and Gimli became the best of friends. However, Gimli died because his plastic bag lungs were twisted, and Legolas died because I didn't have the upper body strength to compress his chest properly. I eventually had to use all of my body weight, which worked roughly, but it was too late for Legolas. Apparently, his chest was actually not functioning properly. Even if I had guns, I could not have saved him. My neighbor and I then sent Legolas and Gimli across the sea, and then quickly acquired new boyfriends.

So then I had to learn CPR for babies. I named my babykin Jules Verne. For CPR for babies, you are supposed to use the index, and middle finger and push straight down about and inch and a half into the babies sternum. I was physically not able to do this. I was able to use my thumb effectively, but I got yelled at by the instructors. But, it worked so much better for me, i dunno. Jules Verne lives!!

Who so Pulleth Out This Sword of this Stone and Anvil, is Rightwise King Born of England. 

Last night, I watched the Sword in the Stone, because I just finished that part of The Once and Future King. I cannot believe how hilarious that movie is. Jesus. I was laughing like an idiot the entire time. One of my favorite parts is when Archimedes and Merlyn get in an argument over how Arthur should be educated, and so Merlyn leaves the duty to Archimedes.
Archimedes is casually like, "to start off, I want you to read these books" as he points to a ceiling high pile of books saying it is "a mountain of knowledge."
Arthur's all like "I can't read."
It's not funny that Arthur can't read, it's just that Archimedes' ridiculous expectations are immediately shut down and it makes me laugh and he gets all flustered and I love it. And then his totally insane 30 second laugh. I almost cannot handle the hilarity. So FUNNY.

Why is is so impossible for Disney to make movies like this anymore? I don't understand?

“If I were to be made a knight,' said the Wart, staring dreamily into the fire, 'I should...pray to God to let me encounter all the evil in the world in my own person, so that if I conquered there would be none left, and, if I were defeated, I would be the one to suffer for it.'

That would be extremely presumptuous of you,' said Merlyn, 'and you would be conquered, and you would suffer for it.'

'I shouldn't mind.'

'Wouldn't you? Wait till it happens and see.'

'Why do people not think, when they are grown up, as I do when I am young?'

'Oh dear,' said Merlyn. 'You are making me feel confused. Suppose you wait till you are grown up and know the reason?'

'I don't think that is an answer at all,' replied the Wart, justly.

Merlyn wrung his hands.

'Well, anyway,' he said, 'suppose they did not let you stand against all the evil in the world?'

'I could ask,' said the Wart.

'You could ask,' repeated Merlyn.

He thrust the end of his beard into his mouth, stared tragically into the fire, and began to munch it fiercely.” 

-T.H. White, The Sword in the Stone

Happy Birthday Sherlock Holmes!

Happy Birthday Sherlock Holmes!!! 

I celebrated by not celebrating and watching The Sword in the Stone.

Which is probably what Sherlock Holmes would have specifically wanted.

If I had the energy I would talk about how much I love Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle and Benedict Cumberbatch, but I need to go to sleep so I can be rested for my CPR and Communicable Diseases training tomorrow. I will instead simply copy and paste my favorite part of all the Sherlock Holmes stories by Conan Doyle.

From The Adventure of the Three Garridebs 

In an instant he had whisked out a revolver from his breast and had fired two shots. I felt a sudden hot sear as if a red-hot iron had been pressed to my thigh. There was a crash as Holmes' pistol came down on the man's head. I had a vision of him sprawling upon the floor with blood running down his face while Holmes rummaged him for weapons. Then my friend's wiry arms were round me and he was leading me to a chair.

"You're not hurt, Watson? For God's sake, say that you are not hurt?"

It was worth a wound-it was worth many wounds-to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as a great brain. All my years of humble but single-minded service culminated in that moment of revelation.

"It's nothing, Holmes. It's a mere scratch."

He had ripped up my trousers with his pocket-knife. 

"you are right," he cried, with an immense sigh of relief. "It is quite superficial." His face set like flint as he glared at out prisoner, who was sitting up with a dazed face. "By the Lord, it is as well for you. If you had killed Watson, you would not have got out of this room alive."

<3 221b Baker Street Forever. <3

Island by Jane Rogers

Island by Jane Rogers

Stars: 5/5

I promise not to spoil any plot twists or anything super important.

Originally, I only wanted to read this book because the movie it inspired featured an actor that I appreciate. However, I didn't want to watch the movie without first reading the book because for me, reading the book before the movie is a mandatory process. In this case, reading the book before watching the movie was totally and absolutely necessary. 

"When I was twenty-eight I decided to kill my mother."

Immediately the first sentence put me off. Personally, I don't care for reading books that are written in first-person because it makes me feel like I'm the character. Thank God Harry Potter wasn't written in first person, I would have never finished it. After  reading the first sentence of Island, I though to myself, "Oh wonderful,  it's in first-person and in the point of view of a total crazy person."

Lucky for me, I have "I started the book, I have no other choice on Earth but to finish it" problems. 

Nikki Black, the "total crazy person" quickly establishes her reasons for being the way she is. She grew up with the knowledge that her mother left her as a baby at the post office. growing up, she was shuffled from home to home, never being adopted or properly cared for. At age twenty-eight, Nikki decides to find her mother, ask her stuff, and decidedly murder her. 

During Nikki's six chapter monologue, I was disturbed, and was desperately wishing that I could convince myself to take the book back to the library. 

Nikki eventually finds herself on an obscure island, renting a room from her mother, who is unaware of Nikki's true identity. Soon after, Nikki meets her half-brother, Calum (twenty-six I think?). 

Calum. 

What a character! At twenty-six (I think!) he has never been to the mainland because his and Nikki's mother forbids it of him. Mrs. Lovage, the mother, controls Calum's every move. Calum seems to be an overgrown child and simpleton. His knowledge of the island is based off of both fact and myths that he doesn't seem to be able to distinguish from each other. His favorite pastime is walking around the island with a rucksack, collecting anything and everything that the sea has gifted to the island. He takes all of his "treasure" to his house and sorts it into the ever growing piles in his front yard. What I love about Calum is that he is able to find the beauty in anything. When he first meets Nikki, he surprises her by being fascinated with her cheap earrings.

Nikki and Calum become fast friends even though her intentions towards him are sinister (because she's crazy). He takes her around the island telling her every fact and fairy tale about the island with unlimited enthusiasm. My favorite part in the book is when Nikki tells Calum that she doesn't believe in fairies. He warns her against it saying, 

"People who annoy them-th-they spoil everything for them They can suck the insides out of stuff and leave it just the same. A meal, say, a feast. They suck the goodness out of everything and leave it just a h-hollow shell. It looks good but when you touch it crumbles. To dust."

Nikki asks him if they can do it to people. He replies,

"Some say they've done it to the whole w-world already."

What I love about the book:

-Calum and his life philosophies

-the way the book is written (even though it's in first person)

-the ending

What I dislike about the book:

-Nikki. She makes me angry and I just want to shake her.

-the crap that Calum goes through.

-the ending

My reason for having a love/hate relationship with the ending without spoiling the ending: I can't decide if it has a happy ending or not. It definitely is very thought provoking and all that, but it's like the ending in Sweeney Todd where everything is just one big tragic misunderstanding and I hate it. But, it is a bit refreshing not to have a clear-cut happy ending because it's different from what I usually read, and so it was something new.

So. After reading the book in one sitting, I knew I had to watch the movie RIGHT NOW. 

The movie I would say gets 3/5 stars, though, it gets full credit though for staying true to the book. Most of the script is a direct quote which I love. However, without the whole first-person narration, there is hardly any insight at all as to why the characters do the things they do. There is no obvious reason for Nikki being a total psychopath, which is vital for the entire plot. Having read the book, the movie was good. The movie on it's own however, not so much. I would highly recommend the book. The writing is amazing, and the plot is original. My brother is even reading it and he doesn't usually read anything I suggest. He even tried to steal it back from me when I borrowed it to write this post.

Books, books, YAAAYY BOOKS.