5 Dead Guys I Love

My current Facebook status reads:

I had this really elaborate dream where I was sneaking a group of mythical monsters out of a Gothic castle to escape the evil Dr. Frankenstein who was running experiments on them all. We saved the mermaid by dropping her off at Sea World, but the gentle ogre had trouble keeping pace, and the wingless fairies kept complaining and taking rest stops, so we couldn’t make it indoors before the sun came up, and whatever organs the zombie had left started imploding. I held his hand and cried while he died, (again) and then his rotten body turned into the form of a gorgeous prince, which was very upsetting because he was already dead. Story of my life, really. All the men I love are already dead.

 

This is true. I think the real reason I have not yet been in a serious relationship with a man is because all the ones I would allow to woo me have been dead for some time. : P My coworkers were making fun of me last week about the type of man I require since I flirt more with those over 65 than anyone in my age group. I don’t remember everything that was said, but this ideal man chopped wood, lit lanterns, tended baby animals, and wore 19th century linen shirts and boots. (Sounds just fine to me!) Honestly, I don’t require all that–though it would be a bonus–but I do want a very old fashioned man at heart.

In light of that, here are ten dead guys I love. (When I say dead, I mean not among the earthly living. Most of these I’m really hoping to find in heaven, someday.)

1. Prince Albert
The Victorian man. I mean, he married Victoria! Husband, father, social reformer, well-rounded in art, science, religion… *sigh* I want a Victorian man.

2. William Wilberforce
I had an historical crush on this man since I was about ten years old; before Ioan Gruffudd portrayed him in the 2006 Amazing Grace film. But you know, that just sealed the deal.

3. Charlton Heston
Ben-Hur. The Ten Commandments. Either one of his roles in those films would enough. But he was lead in both of those epics, and just all around an awesome guy. In my opinion, he’s cooler than Chuck Norris. Oh yeah. I went there!

4. Alexander Hamilton
Can’t say that I’m fond of all his policies and moral ambiguity, but dang, that man was fine! I’m sure he was quite the charmer in his day, and by George, his signature was lovely! If I had it my way, I’d change all the 20 dollar bills to 10′s. Then our currency would be as beautiful as can be.

5. Joshua
Maybe this is The Ten Commandments influencing me again, but… okay, no. Even when I was a wee lassie and had not yet seen the manly specimen of John Derek playing him, Joshua was always my favourite Biblical hero. One of only two spies who did not grow faint of heart while surveying the land of Canaan; a ready soldier, a faithful leader; God stopped the sun and the moon to win him a victory at Gibeon. And who could forget the battle of Jericho?

“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:14-15

2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

This is a lot of fun, and totally surprising. For example, my highest viewed post has 0 comments. And more people from Malaysia and the Philippines read my blog than the UK! I guess I swung from the British to the Asian when I started watching K-dramas. : P

I blame Dan Stevens. He knows why…

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 33,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 8 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

Why I Will Not Read The Hunger Games

I’m an avid reader (obviously) and fantasy/sci-fi/post-apocalyptic dystopian type YA novels are some of my favourites. Such as Incarceron. So it usually surprises my friends and acquaintances when they recommend The Hunger Games and I refuse to pick up the books, or watch the films. I was asked a while back by the ever challenging Timotheous for the reason why, and I have finally prepared my answer.

I did post all this through statuses and messages on Facebook, but I want to compile everything in one large post for the sake of future referrals.

Firstly, I can’t stand the hype. I did get through the Twilight series despite the sensation, but in my defence, I started reading those before there was a cult following, and they were so ridiculous and unintentionally hilarious that I whipped through them in no time. I didn’t have to deal with the posters and memorabilia being flung at my face until a bit later.

The main problem I have with the series is its ultimate message. The moral is subtle; it’s not like it jumps out at you and screams, “A society that murders its children is totally fine!!” but I honestly don’t think people see the big picture when they read/watch The Hunger Games, because if they did, there wouldn’t be such a following. Those without any religious convictions may not agree with my assessment, or even understand my stance, but I hope that at least fellow Christians will get a clearer picture of my total distaste for the series.

Let’s go back some two thousand years.

During the rule of ancient Roman emperors, Christians were slaughtered because they would not let the governing tyrants dictate their faith, charity, and witness. When forced into the arena, rather than murder their fellow man for sport, or burn incense to pagan gods or emperors, Christians refused, and were put to the sword, burned at the stake, fed to wild beasts, stoned, torn apart, martyred. It is for their testimony and courage under the most gruesome of trials that I cannot read, watch, and certainly not enjoy The Hunger Games.

To me there is such a simple solution. “Peter and the other apostles answered and said, ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”1 For a Christian, the answer should be clear: No. I will not offer tribute to a tyrannical government. I will not sacrifice my children to Moloch. I will not murder for the government’s sport. I will not give my money to a system that murders, brainwashes, and constantly strives against God and His Son. If I am killed for that, so be it. But no man, none can dictate to you or me to act against our consciences.

But the current regime is already implementing taxes and laws that undermine Christian values, and people are having to make the choice every single day whether to cave under the pressure and live against the Bible’s standards, or boldly take a stance and risk civil persecution for the sake of their principles. It’s not a “Game.” It’s not tolerable. To me, The Hunger Games only shows what could actually come to pass if Christians are too cowardly to refuse a tyrannical government it’s “tribute.”

And this is largely where I disagree with other Christians who enjoy The Hunger Games. I’ve heard some say that the protagonist is a brave and heroic figure. That she makes the sacrifice for her sister, beats the evil government, and remains pure.

I call bullcrap. (Pardon the expression.)

I do not feel at all that Katniss is a good role model. She still offers herself as tribute to the games. She makes that statement. “I offer myself as tribute…” as if the ruling oppressors are to be obeyed.  She manipulates the system, she doesn’t defy it. If she was really courageous, she would have said no at the beginning, just like those who died in ancient Rome for refusing point blank to deny their Savior or pick up a sword to murder for sport. The whole town should have said, “No, we’re not giving you our children,” and probably would have been killed in a massacre. But they would have died doing the right thing; protecting their children from killing each other for entertainment. If the majority laid down their lives for the cause and just refused to be a part of it AT ALL, the martyrs would be enjoying eternal bliss, and the wicked could go on screwing up the world until death brought them to the pit of hell. But no one did the right thing. No one was willing to make the real sacrifice, and risk losing their own lives for the sake of their souls and to leave a good testimony for their children.

This disturbs me as much as the only scene I ever saw in the movie where a kid got his neck snapped by another kid for not guarding supplies properly. It hits too close to home. People today are becoming like this. They look at Katniss, and the new Batman, and weak characters who lie, manipulate, and cave under pressure as their heroes and role models.

When the Christian mother, Perpetua was imprisoned and tortured, she did not offer to burn incense to the Roman gods, or denounce her Savior to preserve her own life or that of her child’s. Rather, she held fast to Jesus’ words that it profits a man nothing to gain the whole world if he loses his own soul. Hers is the pattern of courage to follow.

Stephen, Peter, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, and countless others did not let the people of their day believe in the lies of false gods and doctrines in order for them to “have their heroes” for a time. (I hate The Dark Knight so much.) Instead, they told the truth. They preached against sin. They refused to participate in the evils of the day, and they were killed by a tyrannical government because of it. They are the true heroes of our faith. You are not opposing evil if you are catering to it in any way, shape or form. You are supporting it. Katniss joins the game, and thereby supports it.

The perception that Katniss is a hero is exactly the kind of mindset that allows the current government to get away with so much. “Well, we were forced into it. The guys on top said we have to, so we do.” No, you don’t. You have a duty to obey God, and when the government tells you to do otherwise, you fight them on it with every fibre of your being. Hopefully not with violence, but if it comes to that, I’d rather die a thousand times for Christ than only once while at peace with the world. I realize I can say that while living in a relatively free society, but I do mean it.

I’m not going to condemn anyone who reads/watches the series. I’m sure a lot of Christians haven’t thought about it at length like I have, or perhaps they feel it serves a purpose as a warning. But to me, it’s not worth my time when there’s such a clear solution to the problem and the books offer no real heroes since everyone gives in to the pressures of evil. I’m not at all saying it’s easy to do the right thing when it means torment or death, but that’s why a martyr’s reward is the surest and best.

Christians, please remember; tyrants may rule for a time, but God’s kingdom is forever. It is Him we will ultimately stand before when he judges both the living and the dead. In the end, it is never worth it to compromise our faith and values.

-x-

1 Acts 5:29

Capturing December 21st-25th

21. Peace

The girls are playing the Tangled video game.

22. Tradition

Once a year; usually around summer or Christmas break. I think we’ve been slacking, though, because a lot of my little siblings don’t remember seeing it before. This must be remedied.

23. Scarf

My elusive circle scarves that took forever to come in the mail!

24. Favourite Part of Christmas Eve

Watching Fellowship of the Ring. : D

25. Morning

I actually wasn’t awake until it was nearly noon. But this was prior to opening gifts and playing white elephant. 2pm is morning…ish? Right? : P

Capturing December 18th-20th

These seem to be coming in three’s, now.

18. Stockings
Those are totally our stockings. Deal with it.

19. Candy Cane?
Okay, it’s not a candy cane, but it’s my white elephant gift wrapping!! I’m so proud of it! And it has stripes like a candy cane!

20. Tree Topper
It’s the tops of trees! And look how gorgeous the sky is!!

My Last Night on Earth

It’s 11:04.

A lot of people are freaked out that the world is going to end in an hour. Is it in an hour? Do they think that in an hour the world will just poof away? Or are we supposed to be preparing for an apocalypse? I should have done more research on this assumption.

Instead, I was just thinking about my lasts. If this was my last night on earth, would I be okay with that?

Let’s see. The last full length movie I saw was The Bourne Legacy.

Last thing I read: John 14. Well, Dad read. I listened. That happens to be one of my favourite chapters in the entire Bible. : )

Last meal: A huge plate of warmed stuffing, a Panera cinnamon chip scone, and hot chocolate.

Last thing I wrote: About seven Christmas cards, and some Elephant Princess fan fiction.

Last song I listened to: One More Time – Boys Over Flowers Soundtrack (Tree Bicycles)

Last person I talked to: My flippin’ awesome sister Lydia who I keep talking to like she’s 15 or 16 and then cracking up when she reminds me she’s only 12. Like when I said, “This is why weren’t not married,” and she goes, “Uh, I’m only twelve.” : D Riiiiiiiiiiight.

Last text received: Mum, trying to steal said sister for drama watchings when I stole her first for Elephant Princess watchings! Bwahahah!!

Regrets? Well, I haven’t seen The Hobbit yet, and I would have liked to finish that fan fiction. And mine best friend has a present for me that was to be revealed during Christmas Sleepover. But all in all, I’d be ready to enter the pearly gates. Since, remarkably, Jesus will still have me. : )

Goodnight! I’m… fairly confident I’ll speak to you all again soon!

Once Upon a Fandom

I did this back in October and am just now posting it. Big time fail.

The first part of this blog entry is titled: Things I Should Be Doing Instead of Making This Post
…and they include, but are not limited to…
Cleaning my room.
Finishing my Secret Garden Kdrama review.
Watching one of several episodes of several Kdramas I started at once.
Writing in one of several stories I have going at once.
Editing my best friend’s paper.
Replying to a Facebook message from Le Tim.
Watching Tangled. Because I feel like it! Also, because the internet was down last night and in desperation I watched the really creepy, cheesy, and hilarious animated Grimm’s Fairy Tale Classics version of Rapunzel, and now I need a brain cleanse.

But I’m doing none of those semi-productive things and filling out this fandom quiz, instead! Woo!

List 12 Characters From Your Favourite Fandom(s), In No Particular Order:

1. Benjamin Davidson (Felicity: An American Girl)

2. Felicity Merriman (See Above)

3. Cleo (H2O: Just Add Water) – I almost wrote that as “woodah” since that’s how they pronounce it in Australia-land.

4. Rikki (H2O)

5. Emma (H2O)

6. Erik, the Phantom (Phantom of the Opera)

7. Christine Daae (Phantom of the Opera)

8. Raoul de Chagney (Phantom of the Opera)

9. Mr. Collins (Pride and Prejudice)

10. Carlisle Cullen (Twilight)

11. Mr. Knightley (Emma)

12. Maddie Ross (True Grit)

1. Have you ever read a 6/11 fic? Do you want to?

I can’t… in any universe see Erik and Mr. Knightley in the same story. So no.

2. Do you think 4 is hot? How hot?

Hehehe! Rikki is so hot. Especially when she’s “dencing! with Nayte!” “Nayte’s HOT!”

3. What would happen if Twelve got Eight pregnant?

HAHAHAH!! It is biologically impossible for Maddie (a girl) to get Raoul (a victome/man-person) pregnant. However… if it was the other way around… I think LaBoeuf would keel him in a duel. Or just keel him.

4. Can you recall any fics about 9?

Mr. Collins? Yes, I wrote it. Collins/Lydia. I’ve been asked to write more, because it made more sense than it had a right to.

5. Would 2 and 6 make a good couple?

HAHAHA!!! I’d say yes, just because I have a strange obsession with huge age gap stories… but I think Erik and Felicity would fight too much to make a good couple. She’d never be willing to try like Christine. Well, maybe! Maybe I should give her more credit! Maybe someone needs to write that crossover so I can make a final judgement!

6. 5/9 or 5/10? Why?

Emma and Collins or Emma and Carlisle? Wow. Just… wow. I suppose to be kind to Emma, I’d have to say Carlisle. 5/10. Although one of their worlds would have to go VERY A/U to make that work. Wait. A vampire doctor and an Australian mermaid? Maybe not so A/U! Hah!

7. What would happen if 7 were to walk in on 2 and 12 making out?

Christine… I… no. Not even going there.

8. Make up a summary for a 3/10 fic.

Cleo is pregnant, and terrified of the effects her transformation could have on the baby. Her husband, Lewis, can’t persuade her to see a doctor, as she fears they wish her more harm than good. That is, until word reaches them of a Doctor Cullen who specializes in the supernatural. (Shoot, this could be an actual fic!!)

9. Is there any such thing as a 1/8 fluff?

There are many fluffs of each of them separately. In fact, Ben/Lissie and Raoul/Christine are the two most frequently read fluffs in my FF history.

10. Suggest a title for a 7/12 hurt/comfort fic.

Lark and Sparrow
In which Christine Daae and Maddie Ross flee abusive households; Christine from a wealthy father with unrealistic demands of her musical gifts, and Maddie from a drunkard of an uncle. They cross paths at a saloon where Christine earns a living singing for the gents, and Maddie becomes a regular, beating all the customers at cards. And of course, Erik and LaBeouf would show up at some point, rescue them, and marry them, because a story isn’t a story without romance and weddings.

11. If you wrote a song-fic about 8, what song would you choose?

For Raoul… All I Ask of You is the obvious answer. R/C fluff!

12. If you wrote a 1/6/12 fic, what would your warning be?

Caution: I was on drugs when I wrote this. That’s the only possible explanation for me writing a Ben/Erik/Maddie fic. I could see Benjamin and Maddie becoming friends in some kind of… strange… mix-up, but Erik doesn’t make sense in that scenario. Sorry, Erik.

13. When was the last time you read a fic about 5?

I don’t know that there are any! Most of the fics I find with enough Cleo/Lewis to keep me interested choose to boot Emma and put that stupid new girl, Bella in. I don’t like that. I like Emma!!!

14. Would 1 look if 2 got lost?

*sniffles* Yes!!! Ben would not just look for her, but he would find her and hold her and marry her, because he is a wonderful apprentice lad who cares for his Lissie!!!

15. What would 3 say if 4 killed 9?

“Rikkeh! I towld youh noht to look at the mune!”

16. 12 goes to break up 10 and 8′s wedding. What is their dialogue/ trialogue?

Maddie: What in the name of all that is holy are you two thinkin’?
Raoul: Christine send me a note instructing to meet her here but when I arrived the chapel was empty, save for this strange man.
Carlisle: I have one from Esme, stating the same.
Maddie: Well, you both have been bamboozled by a man in a dark coat and expensive leathers. I brought two fast horses and powder for your pistols. Now go get yer ladies!

17. Why is 6 afraid of 7?

Because she has the power to spurn him, crush his soul, and make him die of a broken heart. Which, in the book, she actually does. So he has good reason!