On your mark, get set, WRITE!

[annathepiper]

Whoops, surprise interview today! I just got phoned by a guy at Google who wants to conduct a phone screen interview with me today, which is all dandy--except their recruiters didn't actually email me and let me know in advance to set the time aside. Oops. I did, nevertheless, assure the gent that I am available this afternoon and evening, and we agreed upon 5pm as the time he'll formally call me for the phone interview.

To all of you folks on my Friends list who are taking on Nanowrimo this time around, best of luck to you! Me, I'm going under the radar as I posted about before. Lament currently stands at 109,532 words; this means I need to get it up to 159,532 words by the end of this month. Let's see if I can pull it off, shall we?

I can definitely feel the impact of a higher dosage of Synthroid in my system today. I was a bit unsettled and jittery after I took it this morning, though thankfully that began to wear off after I had me a treadmill workout. Hopefully I shall adjust soon.

And just so we're on the record about this: today's weather blows. It is cold and rainy and wet. Welcome to late fall in the Pacific Northwest!

But on the good side, I got my package from Amazon.com with Winter Moon and The Spartacus File yesterday, way earlier than I expected, so yay more new books to read!

Tuesday miles: 2.2
Miles out of Hobbiton: 465.3
Miles out of Rivendell: 7.3
Miles to Lothlórien: 454.7

Comments

[celandineb.livejournal.com]

It is cold and rainy and wet.

I will trade you my autumn weather for yours! It's supposed to be sunny and upper 70s all week, which is not at all what I want in the autumn. *pouts* Cold, grey, and rainy sounds far more appropriate to the season.

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

It's been forever since I posted in your LJ, but was trying to play a bit of catchup on my Friends and read yours.

I just hope the Synthroid will help, especially with you now going onto a higher dosage. Will be thinking about you.

I finished reading A Good Year on Sunday, and am wondering of course how much they'll change by the time it hits the big screen. I know that our boy is in London right now filming the opening scenes, so I'm happy to see that the actual filming is nearly over. I just wish I could remember when it's supposed to be released next year so I can make sure I'm off! :-) I'm hoping to start another book while I'm still on vacation (mentioned it in a post last night), but right now, I'm enjoying being off and doing a lot of catching up.

[annathepiper]

Hello again and glad to see you posting! :) Thanks for the good thoughts.

Did you like A Good Year? I have to admit the thought of Russell being in a romantic comedy sounds like a great deal of fun.

[annathepiper]

It is appropriate fall weather, I must admit! I think I may just be peevish about it since we have only gas fireplaces in this house, and the whole idea of sitting comfortably and cozily by a fire in the fall isn't nearly as cool when the fireplace isn't real. Sigh. :)

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

Sending even more good thoughts your way

I did like it, and since I'd never read any of the author's other works before (like A Year in Provence I had nothing to compare it to so that helped). It's a light book -- I mean there's nothing profound and it won't be Gladiator, LA Confidential, The Insider or Master and Commander, but in the hands of Russell and Ridley, you'd never know it! I'm sure that like everything Russell does, it'll expand on the original material and will make it better (as I was telling someone just the other night, what often translates well in a book has to be reworked in a movie).

I'm like you. I like the idea of a romantic comedy with him. I couldn't ask for a better leading man (I'm biased LOL). I'll be curious to see who is cast in the other roles as there are three females: the notarie (I think I spelled that in the French manner but probably not LOL) Nathalie or Natalie; Max's American cousin Chrissy, and the lovely restaurant owner Fanny, whom I believe is part-African and part-French.

Time for me to start boning up on my Wine for Dummies LOL

[annathepiper]

Well, Russell hooked me hard into Patrick O'Brian with Master and Commander, so if he sees something in A Good Year, I'm willing to give him another book shot. Maybe I'll pick up a copy of this book, too! Thanks for your thoughts on the story. And heh, yeah, I've got that same bias going on too, I think. ;)

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

You and me both -- Russell hooking me hard into Patrick O'Brian I mean! The moment the movie project was announced, I was seeking out POB books...and the rest is history! LOL I think you could very easily read AGY and not be overly concerned about spoilers. My hope of course is that they'll pull a couple of twist we didn't see coming (the readers of the book I mean). And of course they started filming in London right after I left! LOL

I am still hoping that one day we'll see Eucalyptus finally made, but I want them to return to the original script that enchanted him in the first place...not whatever it was they ended up with that doomed the project. And of course, I pray that we'll see another Jack Aubrey movie -- I want it based on Reverse of the Medal along with a few others...but of course, only if HE is in it. I won't settle for anybody else.

[annathepiper]

Eucalyptus sounded interesting, yeah. It'd be nice to see that project come back together.

And we must have another Aubrey-Maturin movie. With Russell. AND Paul. AND Billy Boyd and James D'Arcy! I would not be particular as to which plot, but it would be fabulous to see Stephen indulging in some of his secret intelligence work--and some signs of the relationship between him and Diana. And glimpses of Jack's home life as well!

I shall see if I can find a copy of A Good Year locally. Skimming over the reviews on Amazon, I see that it is getting somewhat mixed reactions and is definitely getting perceived as a lighter and fluffier work, not quite as interesting as his earlier ones. But hey, sometimes I like light and fluffy. ;)

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

The Amazon reviews kept me at bay for a time myself, but then I thought how nice to take a little book with me that didn't require thinking all the time, that might have a nice little storyline and be good reading for sitting on a 7 hour flight, laid over at some airport or traveling between Bath and London, or Portsmouth and London. Having not read any of Mayle's other works, I have nothing to compare it to, so that might have been best. I do have a feeling though that when Russell was done, it'll have a lot of depth that perhaps the book was missing.

I hope one day that Eucalyptus will see the big screen, but I have a feeling it'll be when all the (heavenly) stars are properly aligned. I know that the young actress who was originally being considered for Ellen -- but who refused to do another audition -- is now in A Good Year playing Max's American cousin, Chrissy and she seems quite excited about working with Russell. So maybe...if Eucalyptus is ever considered again, she might decide that final audition is worth it!

Oh I'm with you! We must have another Aubrey-Maturin movie, as long as the original cast is in place (especially Russell). I think any plot would be a good one in the hands of the right director, writer, actors...not if they decide to cast one of these flash-in-the-pan-Flavors-of-the-Month they're often so fond of. I keep saying "No Russell, no Jack Aubrey!"

[annathepiper]

As I've mentioned in another comment, I have picked up a copy of A Good Year now. I think I'll make that the next thing I read, and I'll be interested in comparing notes with you on it!

Indeed, Russell has a great ability to add little grace notes to a role. It'll be fun to see what he does with this one.

And after I read A Good Year, I REALLY need to read The Fortune of War. You're starting to get me back into a Jack mood. ;)

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

A friend gave me The Fortune of War as a friendship gift -- it was the only one of the series I didn't own yet...and the only one that honestly I was avoiding reading. I guess it's just the idea of knowing the pain he'll undergo in that one, despite realizing that he will find triumphs in the next ones. We don't like thinking about those we 'love' suffering....Which is why it would make such an awesome centerpiece of an M&C sequel!

Am currently reading a new book -- well...got it and took it on vacation but was reading so I only just started it -- called To the Heart of the Nile (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060505575/103-5211719-8634227?v=glance&n=283155&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER&no=283155&st=books)
and while the plot made me think Russell would be perfect for the male protagonist, reading what little I have has nearly convinced me! Now to just get the project to him LOL

[annathepiper]

They'd have to heavily alter The Fortune of War, I think, to make it fit in with what they did in the movie... but even not having read the book yet, from what little I know about the plot so far I think it'd be a fabulous choice for a movie sequel. Aren't the sequels supposed to be darker than the originals? ;)

I looked at the link for that book and went "Huh!" I could see Russell as Baker, yeah. Though I expect that if they made that story into a movie, they'd have to bump up Florence's age a bit!

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

ROFL Yeah...I was thinking THAT about Florence's age too because that just isn't going to wash and hey...movies change things around all the time! *bg*

Yes, sequels are usually darker than the originals. Allegedly anyway LOL I've seen a few that sent me running for the bathroom but I think that had more to do with them being bad, not darker *bg* But I think that's when sequels really work -- not darker but filled with more depth...at least I thought that with say The Bride of Frankenstein, The Godfather Part II or The Empire Strikes Back. (As one of those that didn't like ...Temple of Doom, it went dark but just never held my attention).

[annathepiper]

Indeed, Temple of Doom just didn't hold a candle to Raiders. It wasn't even necessarily a problem for me that they went for that darker flavor--it just wasn't as strong a story in general. Also, it didn't help that one wants to strangle Willie from the first moment she's on screen. ;) Really, the movie's only real redeeming feature is Short Round!

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

Oh did you hit the nail on the head! I'm like you. I don't mind darker tones: The Empire Strikes Back is still my favorite Star Wars movie; The Godfather Part II comes very, very close to outshining the original....Temple of Doom was just a big fat disappointment compared to Raiders...and there's no way you can't not compare them (especially since Raiders even received a Best Picture nomination).

I'm not sure if you remember this or not, but when ToD first came out, Siskel and Ebert said their biggest regret was that when Willie was being lowered into the lava pit...they didn't lower it faster! LOL I'd agree. I wanted Marion to step out of a corner and beat the crap out of her! I guess they were trying to go for some Fay Wray in King Kong type, but that character wasn't making little snide comments from the moment she appeared on screen. Willie's first line was when she was introduced to Indy (and told he was an archaeologist) and she said something about funny little men looking for their...well either MOMMIES or MUMMIES, but I know she was trying to make a joke.

I'd have left her butt in that night club. To this day I still don't know why he dragged her out that window when he jumped! Another of my many pet peeves with that movie! LOL (I can even live with the Elsa person from LC, only because at least she wasn't bitching and shrieking at every turn. Okay she was working for the Nazis but anyway LOL)

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

Oops -- sorry about all the italics. I think I forgot to close one when I was typing! LOL

[annathepiper]

I am, as we speak this very night, watching the original King Kong. Which I have never seen. Fun preparation for the remake next month. Fay Wray just came on camera, and yeah, so far she could kick Willie's ass too!

Mmm, Marion. Best. Indy. Love. Interest. Ever. Arguably one of the best movie heroines ever, in general. ;)

[annathepiper]

No problem! Happens to the best of us. :)

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

ROFL about Fay Wray's character kicking Willie's ass!

King Kong is one of my all-time favorite movies but I've been watching it on TV since I was a kid. (My grandmother was a young woman when it was originally released -- she remembered women fainting in the aisles when Kong appeared! She also told me how women fainted when Frankenstein's Monster first appeared in the original Karloff flick. That's so incredible to me). I'm looking forward to seeing what PJ has done, but I know one thing: setting it in the Thirties adds to the atmosphere so that helped.

[annathepiper]

Wow, I boggle too to think of women actually fainting at the sight of movie monsters!

But then, solarbird did try to scrabble through the back of her seat the first time the T-Rex came on screen in Jurassic Park. As she describes it, 'something small and furry in the back of my brain saw THAT 50 million years ago and DID NOT LIKE IT!' ;)

We keep catching the trailers for the new one on the Tivo now, and every time we watch 'em, I beckon at the screen and find myself saying "Bring on the MONKEY!" I am definitely looking forward to this film. :D

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

LOL about the Jurassic Park comment!

Well I'll be the first to admit that I was very skeptical when I heard PJ was remaking Kong. It would be like Lucas and Spielberg announcing they were remaking Raiders. (Oh sheesh...better not give them any ideas LOL). When I heard he was setting it in the Thirties, I warmed a bit more. When I first saw the trailer, I couldn't help going "WOW!" So I'm not getting my hopes WAY up, but I'm feeling like that flight to New Zealand with a Louisville Slugger and a visit to PJ's Hobbit hole won't be necessary! *g*

You know, I guess the idea of women fainting at the sight of Kong or Frankenstein's Monster is sort of like audiences in the 70s freaking out at The Exorcist or when the alien burst out of John Hurt in Alien! These days if I want to be freaked out I recite lines from the recent Star Wars movies, especially Anakin's...then cringe myself to death! ;-)

[annathepiper]

All I got to say is, George BETTER NOT mess with Raiders. I still giggle that that South Park guys had the same idea--best South Park episode EVER, where the boys had to rescue the master copy of Raiders of the Lost Ark from being edited by Lucas and Spielberg. ;)

Yeah, I was kind of dubious at first about the new Kong, but then, after delivering us the masterwork that is the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I gotta say I have a great deal of trust in Mr. Jackson! Especially after seeing the trailers. Hell, I don't even care much for Jack Black, but it seems as if he'll be perfectly cast as the sleazebag producer, and that by itself just impressed me. THEN I got a lot of the giant monkey vs. the T-Rex, and immediately went into "WOW" mode. ;)

Anakin DOES have some godawful lines, but on the other hand, to be fair, there are some pretty godawful lines in A New Hope, too. E.g., "I should have recognized your foul stench when you came on board", especially with ol' Carrie's "I'm so loftily superior" delivery. ;)

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

Oh I'd be the last to say that A New Hope had brilliant screenwriting. Well, it did on one level but you're right -- some of the lines....Let's see...

Why don't you outrun them? I thought you said this thing was fast.

The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.

Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.

Wonderful girl. Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to like her.

Look Your Worshipfulness, let's get one thing straight. I take orders from just one person -- me.

Will someone get this big walking carpet out of my way?

If money is all you love, then that's what you'll receive.

Your friend is quite a mercenary. I wonder if he really cares about anything...or anybody.

Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy. Without precise calculations, we'd fly right through a star or bounce to close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?

I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other. I've seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen anything to make me believe there's one all-powerful force controlling everything. There's no mystical energy field controls my destiny.

But none of it comes close to these and unlike with ANH (where I pretty much remember it all from memory), I had to find these on IMDB:

Padme: You're not all-powerful, Ani.
Anakin: Well, I should be.

Anakin (in his attempt to do a Shakespearean solioquy):
From the moment I met you, all those years ago, not a day has gone by when I haven't thought of you. And now that I'm with you again... I'm in agony. The closer I get to you, the worse it gets. The thought of not being with you - I can't breathe. I'm haunted by the kiss that you should never have given me. My heart is beating...hoping that kiss will not become a scar. You are in my very soul, tormenting me... what can I do? I will do anything you ask. (Anything I ask? LEAVE ME ALONE!).

And my all-time FAVORITE:

I killed them. I killed them all. They're dead, every single one of them. And not just the men, but the women and the children, too. They're like animals, and I slaughtered them like animals. I HATE THEM.
********************

Do you have any idea if that ep of South Park is on DVD yet and if so, which season? I'd love to see it! And yep...I'm with you. I was iffy about remaking King Kong but the more I see of it, the more I want to see it. 'Just don't disappoint me PJ! I still have a Louisville Slugger with your name on it LOL'

[annathepiper]

Guh, I really wish that LJ would fix the whole thing with comments only being erratically mailed out--I missed this one entirely until I checked my Recent Comments page!

I'm with you, oh, believe me--goofy though a lot of the lines in A New Hope are, not a one of 'em can match the dialogue in the new trilogy anywhere. I'm just sayin', though, it's not like George has a stellar history with the dialogue in the Star Wars movies. ;)

The South Park episode in question was "Free Hat", which was six season, which is indeed out on DVD. That season's also totally worth renting for the episode "The Return of Lord of the Rings to the Two Towers", which is HIGH-larious. ;)

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

To paraphrase Pee-Wee Herman in Pee Wee's Big Adventure: "I'm going to add that one to my Netflix list RIGHT NOW!"

The Return of Lord of the Rings to the Two Towers?? ROTFLMAO! Yep...heading to Netflix RIGHT NOW!

As for George Lucas's dialogue writing: I don't think David Mamet has anything to worry about! LOL

[annathepiper]

Hee! I saw on your journal that you got a chance to see "Free Hat"--glad you enjoyed it. ;)

[ii2none59.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed Free Hat a LOT!

I guess you'll see that I saw the LOTR ep too!

[annathepiper]

I did! ^_^