Who's that on the front cover? Is it...

I never pictured Rand so BUFF

If you read a lot of fantasy novels I'll bet at some point you've
1. Looked at the cover
2. Wondered "Is that ...? Nah, it can't be!...No seriously, what were they thinking?
3. Taken a closer look at hair colour, clothes, setting in the vain hope it's not who you think it is
4. Thought back to earlier books in the series in a desperate attempt to think of someone else it could be
5. Resigned yourself to a little giggle everytime you see the cover

It's happened to me for the Wheel of Time series. Conan the Barbarian has a lot to answer for.

Must Love Dogs

A guy has a 20% higher chance of getting a girl's phone number if he's with his best friend - a dog. Scientifically proven, though I could've told them it's true for free. Actually we might be getting a dog in a few months so I watched this movie for puppy 'research' since the title implies 'here be much doggy feelgoodness'.

 

Turns out the movie's pretty light on the dogs and heavy on the punchlines. Let's put it through the Ragtag Romcometer, a measuring gauge made from all the Sandra Bullock comedies I'll admit to watching.

Ragtag Romcometer

• While You Were Sleeping - highest rotation, taped from tv with commercials correctly paused out
• Miss Congeniality - hehe *snort* 

             <------- Must Love Dogs - I'd watch it again for the John Cusack parts

• Two Weeks Notice - wouldn't change the channel if it was up next
• The Proposal - starts out well but got really bland
• Forces of Nature - didn't finish it
• Practical Magic - has a deserving place on the bonfire

Romcometer has decided that it ranks above the average Sandra Bullock romcom but WYWS and MC are still top dogs. The sheer number of one-liners per minute puts it in the top 3. It's easy to know the two leads will end up together because
a) It's a romcom, duh
b) They talk the same, think the same, act the same. John Cusack's character sounds like a self-absorbed neurotic but vulnerable woman in her late 40s. I thought he was sweet. Is that wrong?

Questioning my judgment

It all started with Matt Damon searching high and low for WMD in Green Zone – excellent but uncomfortable viewing. Try imagining military Jason Bourne in Iraq. Cue the government conspiracy and the super human assassins.

There’s a particularly mean soldier named Briggs complete with evil frowny moustache that practically screams ‘kills if ordered or bored’. He’s so relentless nothing short of x-ray analysis will convince me he’s not a terminator sent from the future by hawk neoconservatives. 

Alpha team, this is evil moustache, over

But then the shaky camera work stalled for a moment and I saw his face clearly. Hey that’s Jason Isaacs! No Matt Damon, don’t shoot! He’s still a baddy but now I don’t want Jason Isaacs to die!

What happened there? Ever since I saw Jason Isaacs play the (sexy) villain so well as Lucius Malfoy and Captain Hook I can’t help switching teams whenever he baddens it up. He’s built up enough rascal credibility I root for him even when the character’s flatter than an army buzz cut. But this isn’t an isolated case of wrong teamism. I thought back to Mulubinba’s search for the good Guy - a quest doomed to succeed. Why do we root for the bad guy? Perhaps it’s a personal thing. Here are my reasons:

They’re usually given the best lines

They’re usually given the best back stories

As long as they don’t hurt characters you like, you can still think they’re good people that made bad choices

They’re determined, proactive and ambitious; all misdirected but still attractive qualities.

They’re the underdog

No wonder they can overshadow the main character. Maybe there’s nothing wrong with my judgment after all.

What's your problem with Science Fiction?

I'm back from travel and weeks of the flu! It'll take a few posts to get back in the pace, though. Here goes...  
Admitting you're a fan of Sci Fi can be risky. You're a rung above saps who still believe in Santa, but one rung below Harry Potter fans, maybe two. I think Sci Fi has a bad rep because of goggle-eyed monsters and prosthetics. Maybe it's those weirdos dressed up as Hans Solo or that pointy eared guy on opening day of Star What 2500.

Don't roll your eyes. Trekkies and Star Warshipers are our cousins, period dramatists. The effort they put into spaceman costumes and amateur movies is admirable. Having written Sparkhouse fan fiction, reviewed Spooks 8 and watched every single Guy of Gisborne youtube fanvid I kinda see where they're coming from. Gee, did I just step out of the closet? (Just FYI if I were to dress up as anyone from RA's world it'd be Isabella Gisborne. No, Marian. No, Isabella.)

There are situations where I love Sci Fi and think creating a different world is worth the trouble: to explore radical ideas.

Like in... Solaris
George Clooney on a space station orbiting a planet which is alive. How does a sentient lonely planet meet and greet its new neighbours? With what's on their minds. I loved this psychodrama, the introspective 1972 version and the novel by Stanislaw Lem.

Like in... The Inhabited Island. Eastern European philosophers were particularly fond of using Sci Fi to get their anti-government literature past the sensors - so I've read.

Has anyone heard of this movie? I doubt it unless you speak Rusky. The Inhabited Island is about the fall of the Soviet Union in the same way Animal Farm is about the rise of the Stalin era, except it was written in the 60s. Grab a Russian, watch it together. Culture shocks don't hit any harder than this guy.

Blogging on my feet, far from home

It's still not a good time to go back to blogging but I've got a 3 hour stoppover and none of the duty-free looks appealing.

It's such a waste to look Chinese but not be able to speak it. People expect me to burst into Mandarin but I only know how to say hello and Hong Kong. I've never appreciated my non-Asian colleagues as much as I do now. They exhude such a strong Aura of Foreigner it infects everyone within conversation radius, piercing my own Asianness as the locals try to accommodate for the Caucasian.

There are several stages I go through whenever I have to go overseas for extended periods:

1. Toilet Shock - Everyone's got their overseas toilet story. I could go on for hours! The building I'm working in has ONE FEMALE non-squat toilet in the whole building, the depravity. :( On my first day I discovered the 2nd one was out of order; as the flush water level rose (in slow motion) my life flashed before my eyes. I considered hightailing it out of there then remembered the dangerous 'step' on the raise and wet floor. I'm sure many a foreigner has met a damp toilet end with a deathmask of grossed-out horror. I never venture more than walking distance from my hotel or workplace. Yes I'm that much of a citygirl I can't pee in awkward positions.

2. Faking good habits - Getting up early, using cutlery properly, punctuality. You know, all habits I wish I had in my normal life but couldn't be bothered. Somehow when I go overseas it all comes naturally, at first.

3. Bright Side - Eating out here costs 1/5th what it does in Sydney. Every night I return to a tidied room and cleaned ensuite. There are no water restrictions - baths everynight! Then there's the public transport. I'm in LOVE with this country's high speed train network. They must be making a loss, I paid the same price for my intercity ticket as I did for the stupid tourist bag with the train logo on it! Look, I had to immortalise that life-changing train ride somehow and I didn't have a camera with me.

At this stage I start to think I could get used to living here if I could shake that anonymous drifter feeling.

Does anyone else go through similar stages?

Standing Cat Sees All

Help! I've been stuck clicking replay for the past hour! Meet French Fashionista reincarnated as Standing Cat. It’s the middle of the night and I have to work tomorrow, but Standing Cat has powers beyond your imagination. Look at this showoff. 

Video by DaisYannou, song "Cats on Mars" by Yoko Kanno

When the servants are out, kitty probably walks around the house in stilettos smoking catnip. If it wasn’t for tweety in the tree we’d have been none the wiser. I’m onto you Standing Tomcat! If you can stand that long you can learn the loo too.

-------------

Cats aside, there will be blogging break while I haul boxes and luggage here and there. With my opposable thumbs (beat that, wonder cat!) it shouldn't take longer than 2 months.

Guitar face for other badass instruments

Why does the guitar get all the glory? Air guitar contests, Guitar face.

 Image from blog.wfmu.org

For once I'd like to see a different 'instrument face'. Take for example, the zither, something I used to play. I'm sure if you look closely you can see zither face on these kickass ladies below:

Does anyone else have a soft spot for the rare musical instrument? The accordion and bagpipes are badass too; rebellion and anarchy rock out just as poignantly on the ol' pipes or 'cordz. Actually I think 'bagpipe face' is an occupational hazard.

I was pushing a lullaby by Vitas in my last post, this time his grandpa sings while Vitas pulls badass accordion face. Oh Vitas you wild thang.

(Unless you can understand Russian, skip ahead to 2 mins 10 sec.)

Opera crossover is taking me to dark and mysterious places

What do heavy metal band Manowar and Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin have in common?

If you said Nessun Dorma, you're impressive. And a little disturbing.

Just when you thought you've seen everything (including the mad drum and guitar accompaniment at 2:35)  here's a counter tenor cover by Vitas. Who's Vitas?

The question is not who, but WHAT is Vitas?

He likes to transform into Amphibian Man, dance robot (making funny tongue sounds) and sing about extraterrestrial friends. Whenever he cracks that high note my corneas detach.

I don't think we're in opera crossover anymore, Dorothy. I can't figure this amazing guy out, and maybe that's a good thing. Watch him sing this beautiful lullaby: not only is it a real baby, it's his daughter!

RA Fnstrvgnz Poll Results

That's the wrap! Thanks to all those who voted, spilt punch, kicked the karaoke box and staggered away with the designated driver.

Here's the results, clicking the poll title will take you back...

When did you detect there was more to Thornton than Evil Cotton Overlord?
"Stevens!": 4%
"Meet my new friend and first proper pupil Mr Thornton": 24%
The Master's meeting: 1%
The 1000 mile stare: 9%
Margaret and John's tea tiff: 40%
"I believe I have seen hell, and it is white, snow white": 3%
"I would like to play the overbearing master": 5%
The Strike: 2%
The Proposal: 2%
The Train Scene: 5%
Other: 3% (Eg The credits)

What's your favourite Thornton heel spin moment?
The Proposal "I understand you completely" : 27%
"I'm looking to the future": 10%
The great exhibition: 21%
Margaret says goodbye Milton: 15%
At the train when Margaret gets her bag: 24%
When Margaret lies about her brother but Thornton sees the coat: 1%

The snidest comment from my failed conversion attempts:
This is just like Pride & Prejudice but with an ugly Darcy and crap Pemberley: 26%
I hate men who are like that with their mums. Gross: 2%
That guy's not leading man material. Look at his nose: 22%
That girl's fat: 10%
Her dad's piss-weak and her mum whines a lot: 2%
They're not very good Christians are they? They never pray: 4%
Is this another of your silly obsessions?: 18%
When does it get good?: 10%
As if that'd happen! They're in public!: 6%


Check out the cleanup at other RAF bloggers!

Avalon at Avalon's blog

Skully at The Spooks Fan Blog

Traxy at The Squeee

Mulubinba at An RA Viewer's Perspective

Susan at Me+Richard

Nat at The RA Fan Blog

Richard Armitage Fnstrvgnz Fan Showcase: Elva75!

The end of the Richard Armitage Fnstrvgnz is approaching. Before the week is over I must get this out of my system: the song is echoing in my head! La-la-la, la-la...

You've probably seen Elva75's work, but may not know more than just a nickname. I've chosen to showcase her and her North and South fanvid 'Can't get you out of my head' since it's how North and South hit me.

That's some tune huh. I love that bit at 1:37 mins of the Master's meeting. There are some JT huffy exits, and fabulous editing at 3:10 as if Margaret and Thorton are in the same scene.

Here's a Q&A session with Elva and like all talented people she's gushy about what she loves. My inserts are in italics.

How long have you been a fan of Richard Armitage?

I fell head over heals for Richards portrayal of Mr. Thornton when I watched North and South in November of 2007 and haven't recovered since : )

How long have you been making fanvids? How did you learn to make them?

I started making fanvids in the spring of 2008, I just stumbled my way through Sony Vegas, not the easiest program to use, but I've been mastering it ever since.

What was your inspiration or driving force behind 'Can't get you out of my head' and 'Crazy in Love'?

Since I started vidding I havent been able to listen to the radio or any music really without constantly thinking about it as a potential candidate for a video. I really enjoy making period drama videos to unconventional songs and thats why I chose 'Can't get you out of my head', and the lyrics just fit Thornton and Margaret really well, the same goes with 'Crazy in love'.

What 'process' do you go through when making an artwork like a fanvid?

My 'Process' is quite simple, I hear a song and if it screams a certain pairing or film I won't rest until I've made something to it. I like playing with a bit of manipulation and Ive done quite a few Alternative Universe vids too which are really demanding. I always try my best to have a good flow in my videos, vidding is a bit like choreographing a dance routine : )

(From Wikipedia: Alternate Universe abbreviated AU, are what-ifs that explore the possibilities of pivotal changes made to characters' history, motivations or environment)

What is your favourite RA fanvid creation?

My favorite RA fanvid creation is 'Taking Over Me'. (This one rocks! - Ragtag)
 

It really shows a lot of my favorite RA moments in North and South. The one I like most in terms of technical standards is 'Untouched'.

Have you ever collaborated with other RA fans to create artworks?

Ive never collaborated with anyone else but I'd really like to try it one day.

I'd love to see the result of that too, Elva. Excuse me while I hit replay on that first tune. La-la-la...