Medieval Movies

The esteemed blog Medievalists have compiled an extensive list of medieval-themed movies released in recent years. I've been scrolling through the list and adding them to my Netflix (already overly long) queue. I thought you readers of my blog might be similarly interested. So I'm the link up here.

Oscar Fashions, mais oui!

Today isn't Picture Day Friday, but blogging the day after the Oscars has to include the requisite gowns that I liked and disliked.

Gowns I Liked

Hailee Steinfeld


Mandy Moore


Giuliana wearing a Christian Siriano

Anne Hathaway

Reese Witherspoon

Jennifer Hudson

Aishwarya Rai


Nicole Kidman


Natalie Portman


Always a class act... Helen Mirren



Gown I'm Most Ambivalent About

Cate Blanchett



Gowns I Disliked

Helena Bonham Carter


Mallika Sherawat


Mila Kunis


Scarlett Johansson


Anne Hathaway


Busy Phillips


Steven Spielberg's Daughter


Gwenyth Paltrow


Virgnia Madsen


And ahhhh... Florence Welch

Honoring Our Inspiration

One hundred and ninety-five years ago, today, saw the first publication of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, forever inspiring legions of readers and writers.

P&P is Austen's second published novel. Its manuscript, first called First Impressions, was initially written between 1796 and 1797 at the rectory in Steventon, Hampshire. Austen later revised the novel in 1811 and renamed it to P&P.

Austen sold the copyright for the novel to Thomas Egerton of Whitehall in exchange for £110 (Austen had asked for £150). Egerton published the first edition in three hardcover volumes in January 1813, priced at 18s each.

We all know about Colin Firth emerging from the lake and Matthew MacFadyen striding through the dawn mist, but here are a few of the lesser known adaptations:

• Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy (2003) places the novel in contemporary times.
  
• The central premise of the television miniseries Lost in Austen is a modern woman suddenly swapping lives with that of Elizabeth Bennet.
  
• The off-Broadway musical I Love You Because reverses the gender of the main roles, set in modern day New York City.
  
• The Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango by Yoko Kamio has a wealthy, arrogant and proud protagonist falling in love with a poor, lower-class girl.
  
• A 2008 Israeli television six-part miniseries set the story in the Galilee with Mr. Darcy a well-paid worker in the high-tech industry.

So, Romanistas, which is your favorite retelling of the much-loved story? Inkhornism — A learned or pedantic word or expression, like something a flaybottomist (see post below) might use — Sir James Murray's "New English Dictionary" (1901)

Was MIA, Back Now

Nope, I didn't levitate off the face of the earth (no matter what those ancient wise yogis thought). Hiding under a rock also isn't the explanation for my absence from this blog.

My first week off, I was in Milwaukee for a wedding. It was an emotional experience. Life was at its hardest and at its best when I was living there all those years ago. I was creative; I matured; I did many new, fun, and some scary things. Meeting up with the people who'd watched me grow up, and attending the wedding of a dear, dear cousin and one of the people I admire the most, was empowering and touching all rolled together.

The second week, I was off to San Diego to an ayurvedic retreat. That was an out-of-body experience: some good things, some puzzling, some definitely woo-woo. My takeaways were: twice daily meditation, yoga stretches, and eating a bigger, heavier lunch than dinner. The best part of the experience was the wonderful group of people I met. I laughed, definitely cried, and came away immensely comforted.

Every conference/event I attend, it's never the talks, perks, deals, etc. that make a difference to how much I value the experience. At the end of it, what I remember are the people. I go for the people, even some of whom I haven't met face-to-face yet and some whom I know only as names on a list. And I come away taking them with me in my heart.

The third week off was due to a bunch of "then life happens" stuff: school, activities, bills, chores (read: a Mt. Everest of laundry), food, etc. etc. etc. The weekend was devoted to Le Migraine.

Early this evening, I typed up this blog and then typed up one on Eric Maisel for tomorrow and was about to post them, but I got sidetracked and sorely tempted into watching part one (for the 1000th time) of North & South. (Longtime friends know how this story is going to end.) At the end of the first episode, I said only ten minutes of the 2nd episode. Before I knew it, I was hitting next for the third episode with a mere twinge or two of the conscience. At the end of the third one, I had had to watch the last episode. I mean, you wouldn't want me to toss and turn and not know if Richard Armitage ends up with the girl or not? I mean, you never know. At the 1000th viewing, I could get lucky. Well, never fear for my husband, my friends. RA got his girl, and I got to re-live one of the best love stories on film (a wet Darcy rising from the lake, notwithstanding.)