Swedish girl with my head in the clouds.
I write and read and watch and listen and taste and smell and feel and shoot.
Finally, after more than eleven years, I’ve finished the Lord of the Rings triology. I say more than eleven years because that is how long ago I got the books for Christmas and started reading Fellowship of the Ring. For that book alone, I am a little ashamed to say, took me ten years to finish. Since I’ve discovered the brilliance that is audio books, I managed to listen to and finish all three books plus The Hobbit in as little as a week. To be quite honest, I can’t believe I waited so long to read these fantasy classics and most loved by many. Not least because I am such a big fan of the films which I’ve seen countless times. It also grieves me because I think I would’ve enjoyed them more when I was eleven or so and fantasy was by far my favorite genre. I did like them now, as one appreciates a great work of art, but they are not as endearing to me as they might’ve been.
What struck me the most about these stories is how incredibly well-detailed they are. It amazes me how extensive this world Tolkien built is, and yet more is to know in notes he left behind and in books published after his death, such as The Silmarillion which I plan to read next. I can not help drawing connections and likenesses with other pieces of fantasy I’ve read before, not least Joanne Rowling’s works. But it is true as they say, that in fantasy there is a cauldron of which all authors must scoop up what they want to have in their story, thus some may be alike to others because the creatures and phenomena are limited - which is sort of ironic seeing as the genre is called fantasy.
Another thing I thought about was how Frodo’s deeds and journey is much more remarked upon, even though I feel that Sam was the bigger hero. He was always selfless, loving and loyal and never swayed far from Frodo’s side and protected him through thick and thin yet it is Frodo who is most praised. Of course, the bearing of the ring was no small feat, yet it was Sam’s character that really shone in my eyes. And Aragorn of course, but he is already rightfully praised so I’ll leave him out of the discussion.
What else I’ve thought of is the ending in The Return of the King book versus film. In the film they arrive home in the Shire and all is well and then Frodo, Bilbo and the elves depart from the Grey Havens. But in the book, the ending is much more sad, because when the four hobbits return to their own lands they find that everything has changed and that Saruman and what is still left of his men have turned everything for the worse in the Shire. Why I would’ve wanted to see this in the film is that the four hobbits are left by Gandalf - who seemingly know of all this when he leaves - to deal with the evil by themselves. And they rise to the occasion and do it with fairness and bravery and you can tell how much these hobbits have grown since they last saw their homes. What is more is that Sam, when Frodo has left, after a time becomes mayor of the Shire and it would’ve been so wonderful to have seen that in the film. To really show how wonderful, strong and important the character of Sam really was for the downfall of Sauron.
President Obama, at the Women’s Leadership Forum yesterday, on the GOP’s assault on women’s health
(via bhappy-bhealthy)
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Bonus track on the Original London Cast Recording CD of Much Ado About Nothing performed in 2011 with Catherine Tate and David Tennant playing Beatrice and Benedick.
Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more;
Men were deceivers ever;
One foot in sea and one on shore,
To one thing constant never;
Then sigh not so,
But let them go,
And be you blithe and bonny;
Converting all your sounds of woe
Into hey nonny, nonny.
Sing no more ditties, sing no mo,
Or dumps so dull and heavy;
The fraud of men was ever so,
Since summer first was leavy.
Then sigh not so,
But let them go,
And be you blithe and bonny,
Converting all your sounds of woe
Into hey, nonny, nonny.
This is like the most urgent sign I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
Whereas this is the most passive-aggressive sign.
(Source: lindsaylohanthony, via thatsexyhealthygirl)
(Source: coolguyhat, via size10plz)
or in a zombie apocalypse
(via soon2befit)
(via curvecreation)
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Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off (iTunes Live Session)- Panic! At The Disco
(Source: havingajonfire, via getfitgetsexy)
This is basically what I’ve seen for the past week whenever I’ve looked through my windows or sat on my balcony. I’ve got three cherry trees just outside.
(Source: devilinhighheels)
This is why when someone told me “There’s no such thing as rape, just surprise sex” I punched him in the face and said surprise.
(Source: whoneedsfeminism, via potterhead)
(Source: tastefullyoffensive, via potterhead)
PS: If you haven’t checked out Bonkers World yet, it’s solid gold.
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Sherlock theme song on a music box.
(via potterhead)
