I’ve been drifting around online since I got up this morning, trying to find a good blog topic for this cold Tuesday! Having found nothing (or rather, so many things I couldn’t decide) I thought I would borrow ideas from Megan and Janet and just tell you some of the stuff I’ve been thinking about lately….
1) Writing! Like always. Just finished up an Undone short story set at the court of Mary Queen of Scots and diving back into the full-length Scottish story, plus organizing my “ideas folder.” I’m often distracted by bright, shiny new ideas that try to tempt me away from the WIP, so I jot them down in a special notebook to come back to later (not that they always stop pestering me). I’ve also been sorting some new research books I picked up at a booksale last week! Fun fun. Inspired by Diane, I may also do a little genealogical research…
2) The Oscars! I do love Oscar nomination day, which happens to be–today. (See a full list of the noms here). Out of the ridiculously bloated 10 movie Best Picture field, I’ve seen 5, Black Swan, The King’s Speech, The Kids Are All Right, The Social Network, and the vastly overrated Inception. My personal favorite of those is King’s Speech, but I predict Social Network will win (with Colin Firth and Natalie Portman winning Acting honors). I will probably see True Grit soon, but as much as I love James Franco I think 127 Hours would be too intense for me. The noms for Best Costumes are Alice In Wonderland, I Am Love, The King’s Speech, The Tempest, and True Grit. No arguments there, though I might have liked to see Black Swan there. Those Rodarte tutus were awesome.
3) Like Megan, I’ve been thinking about Vampire Diaries! New episodes finally start again on Thursday and I can’t wait. It feels like I’ve been waiting forever to see what will happen next in the twisty plots (or which Salvatore brother will take his shirt off first)
4) Today is the (probable) anniversary of the marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, a secret shotgun wedding complete with baby bump in 1533. Er–happy anniversary? (For more information on this event, check this post in The Anne Boleyn Files, an awesome blog that you should check out anyway!)
5) It’s also Burns Day! Poet Robert Burns was born on this day in 1759, which is celebrated every year in Scotland (and by people who just like his work!). A local pub here does a special dinner for it every year, which I will be attending tonight. In honor of his poem “To A Haggis” it’s traditional to serve haggis, which I will not be partaking in. (Check here for more info, and a recipe for haggis if you’re feeling brave)
6) Reading, of course! I’m in the middle of Carol Carr’s new historical mystery India Black, about a Victorian madam solving a murder. I love it so far, a great heroine and witty writing. I also have a new biography of Voltaire, and some birthday gift cards from Barnes and Noble burning a hole in my pocket as I try to decide how to spend them. Any recommendations??
Now I’m running out to yoga class so I won’t feel so bad about the shepherd’s pie and whiskey tonight! What are you thinking about today? Any favorite Oscar movies or predictions?
For a modern day setting I’ve really been enjoying “The Lacemakers of Glenmara” and I feel it’s a little Jane Austenesque in that there’s not tons happening….it’s more of a character study, but you would not believe how beautifully it is written.
Since you’re getting ready to write a Victorian you might enjoy reading “We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals” which I had to read after watching The Young Victoria
And since I’m so enamored by Downton Abbey I’ve been reading some Edwardian books like “The Golden Prince” by Rebecca Dean as well as the Charles Todd mysteries and for some just good fun try to Dandy Gilver mysteries by Catronia MacPherson or anything by Caro Peacock.
I’m hoping Colin Firth wins. He’s done such solid acting in so many things I think he really deserves the Oscar although I have not see The King’s Speech because it’s not in the small town where I live. I’d have to drive 4 hours to watch it.
As for best film….I do wonder why they have so many and why Toy Story 3 isn’t in animation. It just seems like it should be since they have a category for it. But what do I know?
Jane Austen
I loved India Black Amanda. I was lucky enough to get an ARC from Carol to read months ago, and to interview her over at Scandalous Women.
As for the Oscars, I’m hoping for Colin Firth and Annette Bening to win. I didn’t like Black Swan and I didn’t think Natalie Portman convincing as a dancer.
I have The Golden Prince on my TBR pile, and I adore Caro Peacock’s mysteries.
I have not seen any of the movies but The King’s Speech and I definitely think Colin Firth deserves an Oscar. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to LEARN to stutter and then to do so very convincingly, so that you forget he can actually speak wonderfully? Besides that he conveyed the emotions so effectively.
It was a wonderful movie! I hope you can get to see it soon, Rachel!
And Amanda, I’m envious of your wealth of story ideas. Mine have to be extruded from me. I also hope you know that my “ancestor” research was a total joke! (I mean, Carolyn really was not descended from dogs; she was descended from doctors and axe murderers.) Or maybe you hope to find an axe murderer in your family tree as well?
Doctors and axe murderers? Sounds like an Oscar movie!
Speaking of which, I’m really rooting for Colin Firth and Annette Bening. And if they both win, there’s a little Valmont reunion right there!
I think Social Network will take Best Pic, and should — amazing writing, both in dialogue and structure. I’ve never seen anything quite like it at the movies, and it totally works.
I, too, have chosen not to see 127 Hours. I don’t have that strong a stomach… (Black Swan was actually really hard for me to bear in parts. My guess is that Aronofsky was using some of the cringe-inducing parts as a comment on the pain that dancers put themselves through…)
Amanda, I think you’ll like True Grit — it has a great heroine.
Cara (who sees way too many movies….)
Mmmm, shepherd’s pie and whisky! Enjoy your Burns Night.
LOL Elizabeth! I thought she did about as well as any non-dancer could (and the body doubles in the long shots helped), but it was hard to completely believe she was actually at that level in the dance world. She was good at the crazy though 🙂
Rachel, I definitely have “We Two” on my shelf (for some reason I run out and buy any new bio of Victoria or Elizabeth I that comes out, even though I already have a thousand of them!). I’ve been collecting books about Victorian theater as well
Shepherd’s pie. MMMMM !! And I tried haggis when I visited Scotland. Not nearly as vile as people say, but not something I would want every Sunday for dinner.
I also visited several places associated with Robert Burns and I am a fan of his poetry. I’ll hoist a cup of Earl Gray in his honor.
Reading Reid’s Regency Bucks and Bruisers about Regency era boxing. Good read!
Haven’t seen any movies in the theater in forever. Never seem to have the time. Looking forward to seeing The King’s Speech, on DVD if I have to wait that long.