Celebrate Musicals Week Tag!

Well, this week is Celebrate Musicals Week, hosted by Amy over at Yet Another Period Drama Blog.  We're supposed to do at least three posts on a musical we've picked to celebrate, but I've been extremely busy and will be really busy this week, so I'll be lucky if I get two posts done.  Be happy with two posts on one musical and my IMHO post on Wicked.  (Green yet?)

Onwards with the tag questions!

1.  What musical did you pick to "spotlight" this week and why?

Daddy-Long-Legs.  I picked it because I think it's one of the lesser-known musicals out there (being an off-off-Broadway musical...), and I think it needs to be talked about more!  (I'm going to leave most of the talking about it for later this week as it's very late and I don't want to give up too many details!  I don't care if you look up the musical yet or not.  But I guarantee....  You'll want to by the time I post my review.)

Basically, the story is about a girl named Jerusha Abbott (awful name, I know...) who is the oldest orphan in the John Grier Home, a home for orphans.  (Yes, thank you, Mary.)  One of the trustees of the Home decides to pay for Jerusha's education on the condition that she write to him once a month telling him about the things she's learning and that she doesn't know who he is.  The musical goes on through the next four years and follows Jerusha's education, her letters to Daddy-Long-Legs (the name she gave to her benefactor because she saw his long shadow as he was leaving the Home and decided he must be very tall), and her relationship with Jervis Pendleton, the young uncle of one of the girls in Jerusha's dorm.

2.  How did you discover the musical you picked (hereinafter referred to as "your musical")?

(Heehee....  I consider Daddy-Long-Legs to be my musical already cuz I love it so much and I feel like I'm one of the only people on the planet who know about it!)

Well, I read the book by Jean Webster of the same title and instantly fell in love with the story, the method of writing, and Jerusha Abbott!

3.  If you had to pick three favorite songs from your musical, which ones would they be?

Oh, golly Pete.  Only three?!?!?!  Fiiiiine....  In no particular order, here they are.

'I Have Torn You From My Heart'

'Lock Willow'

'Mr. Girl-Hater'

4.  What's your least favorite song from your musical?

I literally do not have a least favorite.  They're ALL good!!  If you held a knife to my throat and made me pick, Amy, I'd pick....  'The Oldest Orphan in the John Grier Home.'  Because it's just the introduction to the musical and, listening to it for the first time, you have no idea how great it's going to get!

5.  Who are your favorite characters (choose up to three)?

Well, considering this musical only has two.... *cough*  Jerusha Abbott and Jarvis Pendleton.  C :

6.  Which versions of your musical have you seen/listened to, and which is your favorite?

Well, I've listened to the Original Cast Recording (which is the only recording out there) and the other three actors who have starred in it.  I like the original the most.

7.   Is this your favorite musical of all time?  If not, what is?

No, but it's probably tied for third with Cinderella.  My favorite musical of all time is Les Miserables.  Just because.  (Second favorites are Phantom of the Opera and Wicked.)

8.   Which cast album/musical soundtrack in your collection do you listen to the most?

(Instead of repeating my answer to #6, I'll assume you mean my entire collection of musical soundtracks.)  Either Daddy-Long-Legs, Little Women, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, The Little Mermaid, The Lord of the Rings (YES, there IS such a thing!), or Annie.  XD

9.   What is your favorite costume from your musical?

Hmmm....  I dunno!  I really like all of Jerusha's outfits.  They're so pretty!

10.  If you could change anything about your musical, what would you change?

The fact that it's only being preformed in Japan and the West Coast at the moment.  Yes, Cosette... this is true.  *weeps*

11.  Which role(s) would you most like to play in any musical, if you had the opportunity to do so on stage?

Meg Giry.  It's a small enough role that I don't have to blow the audience away with, but big enough that, HELLO, I'M IN A MUSICAL!!!

I'd also like to play Elphaba, G(a)linda, Jerusha, Christine, Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy, Fantine, Cosette, Eponine, Ariel, or someone else.  C :

12.  If you could choose one performer to play any part in your musical, who would you choose and which part would you have them play?

I'd pick Megan McGinnis to be Jerusha again because she was just soooo good in the Original Cast Album!

And Aaron Tveit could be Jervis.

It would be epicness.

13.  Do you consider yourself a musical theatre fan in general or do you just like a few musicals?

I'm a musical theatre BUFF. Hello, I asked to go to NYC to see a musical on Broadway for my graduation present!! I LOVE musicals. They're astonishing and they've changed me for good. C :

14.  Are you tired of the word "musical" yet?

NO. And I NEVER WILL BE.

15.  Turn your music playing device on shuffle (or utilize Pandora if you don't have one) and tell us the names of the first three show tunes that come up-- no cheating!  How do these rank on your favorites/most-listened-to list?

'Drink With Me' from the 10thAC of Les Mis. I love this song and this version. : ) Ummm.... It's probably one of my top-ten favorite songs from Les Mis.

'She's In Love' from The Little Mermaid: The Musical. LOVE IT! I think this is my second or third favorite song from this musical. (The first being 'If Only.' Sighhhh....)

'Off to Massachussets' from Little Women: The Musical. I love this musical! I didn't love this song until I listened to Daddy-Long-Legs and realized that Megan McGinnis, who plays Jerusha, plays Beth in the Original Cast Recording of Little Women! WOOT!

Which brings me to

Daddy-Long-Legs. Y'all are going to love it. My review should be posted by the end of this week!

~Eowyn~

The June Crusade Tag!

(Ahh, yes.  Two tags in a row.  Lazy blogging at its best.  Hey.  I have a busy life.  Deep and profound blog posts will come later.)

 

Well, it's that time of year again!  Anne-girl over at Scribblings of My Pen and Tappings of My Keyboard is hosting The June Crusade again, which I thought was a grand success last year – after all, I got a novel out of it!  : D

 

Greatly looking forward to this year where, instead of writing 50k words (my schedule doesn't allow it this year......  *insert sad Laurie face from Meg's wedding*), we'll be doing a peer review/critique of another participant's novel!  Exciting, right?  I've been teamed up with Kendra Ardnek and I've been enjoying getting to know her and reading her novel, The Ankulen.  (Check out her blog, if you have the time!)

 

To start things off, Anne-girl has issued a tag for all the participants, to be answered by my characters!

 

-----------

 

Hey, you guys....  This is Nikki Scott.  (Haha, this is kinda weird....)  Eowyn wanted me to answer these questions, but I got a little nervous about answering them myself.  Alec was busy, so I decided to ask my best friend, Natalie, to help me.

 

So I'm only your second choice?

 

Not exactly!  I mean... ummm....  Yeah.  But I can't wait to do this with you!

 

Me, neither.  Let's do this thing!

 

Describe your author in one word.

Only one word?  Wow....  That's hard!

She's kinda weird....

I know, but I was trying to be nice.  She's going to read this, Nat.

I know!  So it'll help her like us more if she knows our true feelings for her.  Right?

Um...  I don't think so.  Think of a nice word to describe her.

She's a nerd.  A geeky nerd.

Ha!  Well, knowing Eowyn, I think she'd probably agree with you.  She's a self-proclaimed Whomizzer.

See?  Weird!

Moving on.

 

If your author had a theme song what would it be?

'I Have Confidence' from The Sound of Music.  *nods*

I don't think so, Nick.  I think she's exactly like Jo from Little Women, so her theme song would be 'Astonishing' from the musical.

Minus the feminism.

Probably.  She's independent, though.

Yeah.

 

If you could pick an actor to play your author who would it be?

Ooh, I know!  Ashley Clements!

I'd say Samantha Barks.  She'd be happy we gave her a beautiful voice.

Probably.

 

What are your author's strengths?

People tell her all the time that her eyes are really blue....  To the point of it becoming slightly annoying.

That's not a strength, Nat.  I'd say she's got a determined nature – she'll work hard at a job to do until it's done.

Yeah.  And she's a people person.  She loves kids.

And an introvert.  But in a good kind of way.

 

Weaknesses?

*cracks knuckles*  Well.  Let me tell you.  I've spent a year with this girl and –

Hey!  Be nice.

I'm being honest.  She's really prideful sometimes.  And a little selfish.

And self-centered at times, but she's trying to be more focused on others.

 

What type of laugh does he or she have?

Her laugh changes!  Have you noticed that, Nat?

Yup.  She recently started laughing like Jordan from BlimeyCow after doing a marathon of episodes.

I'd say her normal laugh is more of a guffaw, really.  Yeah.  A loud and slightly annoying guffaw.

Yeah....  Whatever that is.

 

Any strange hobbies?

She collects stamps!

And she sings.  A lot.  Whether it's in tune or not.

And she plays piano and violin.

And she writes.  That's strange.

 

What was the weirdest thing she did for his/her writing?

She once wrote fifty thousand words in a month.  That's weird.

Yeah, she's crazy.  Other than that, she once climbed a tree and wrote on her laptop... at her piano teacher's house....

Yeah....  She also has a folder on her laptop of actors and actresses she likes so that she can cast them as her characters.

And constantly freaks her dad out about saving all these pictures of good-looking guys.

But!  Be not dismayed, dear father of Eowyn.  She's only getting a picture of him so that she can study his features... so that she can best describe how she'll kill him off.

Yeah.  Or make him be a public disgrace forever by ruining his good looks with a freak burning oil accident.

Yeah.

 

If you could make him/her do one thing differently what would it be?

She needs to write more.

Girl, you're crazy!  She writes herself insane already.

Yeah, but she doesn't do it enough.

Whatever.  I'd say she needs to publish her novel.  It's been on her mind too long, and if she doesn't do it now, she'll start doubting herself and get scared and not be able to do it.

And then we'll never see the light of day!

 

What is your favorite thing about his/her writing?

She listens to a ton of movie soundtracks while she writes, so that's fun to listen to.

And JOSH GROBAN!!!!

Yes.  And Josh.  We're all very fond of his voice around here.

And she always rewards herself with chocolate, which is a plus.

And when she rewards herself with chocolate, she writes better.  Which means we act and talk like real people.

And aren't cardboard characters.  And then she gets obsessed with us and replies to tags in our voices.

Which is something we probably should have said earlier....  In the strange habits question....

Yeah.

Well.  I have to go practice at the rink.  Nationals is coming up and we have to be on our toes.

Literally.  Hey, stop rolling your eyes at me!

 

-----------

 

Well.  That was one of the weirdest thing I've ever done.  : D

 

~Eowyn~

The Barricade Boys Week Tag!

Hello, Blogosphere!

Sorry for the long absence – been terribly busy with school and whatnot, so I decided to leave you with my short story for a long time.  Glad you all enjoyed it!  Your comments totally made my day.  : )

 

So.  Over at Rambings of a Janeite, Eva is hosting a totally awesome Barricade Boys Week, dedicated totally to My Boys, who star in Les Miserables.  (Yes.  They star.  Do not argue.)  So far, there's been tournaments, giveaways, quotes, sob-inducing guest posts on Enjolras and Gavroche (especially the latter....  Amy, you have no compassion on my poor nerves!!), and general awesomeness!  If you're a fellow Mizzer and have some time, you should definitely check it out.

 

I've finally found the time to answer her questions!  And, instead of just writing "Enj, because he's awesome" as the answer to every question, these will be well-thought-out answers.  So there.

• Do you know about the barricade boys from the brick, the musical, the movie or all three?

A little of all three.  : )  I've never read The Brick (shame, shame...), but I've read enough quotes to know that I'm going to read it as soon as I'm done with the book I'm on.  : )

• Who is your favorite barricade boy?

Enj.  Because he's awesome.

 

(Behold.  The exception to my promise.  : D)

 

Seriously, though, he's honestly the best.  Strong, resolute, totally determined to see the revolution through, and willing to do whatever it takes to make France free again.  He's got some of the best lines in the musical ("Have you asked of yourself what's the price you might pay?" comes to mind).  All of the Les Amis look up to him, which means there's something to be said about his character and what makes people look up to him.  He's also got some awesome hair and an amazing sense of style, no matter who plays him and whether or not he's wearing The Vest of Power and Awesomeness.  (Because, come on, y'all – didn't Aaron do a good job pulling off the non-Vested Enj?  Yes, we were all sad to find out that he wasn't going to wear The Vest, but we got something totally awesome instead, right?)

• Who is your least favorite barricade boy (yes...I'm forcing you to choose)?

Nooooo....  *insert sad picture of Courf crying*  Alright, fiiiiine.  I think my least favorite would be Bahorel or Bossuet, simply because I didn't know their names until recently or anything about them.  BUT.  That will all end after I read The Brick.  : )

• What is your favorite barricade boy quote (can be from the brick or one of the songs - or both)?

Now, in this, I fear I cannot satisfy you.  I have added an 's' to the word 'favorite' and changed 'is' to 'are.'

From the musical –

"Let us die facing our foes – make them bleed while we can!  Make 'em pay through the nose!  Make 'em pay for every man!  Let others rise to take our place until the earth is free!"

"It is time for us all to decide who we are....  Do we fight for the right to a night at the opera now?  Have you asked of yourselves what's the price you might pay?  Is it simply a game for rich young boys to play?  The color of the world is changing day by day...."  (Then comes one of my favorite Barricade Boys song.  *nods*)

"Drink with me to days gone by.  Can it be you fear to die?  Will the world remember you, when you fall?  Could it be your death means nothing at all?  Is your life just one more lie?"

• Which barricade boy do you think you have the most in common with?

A friend of mine says I'm like Feuilly, but I think I'm more like Jehan Prouvaire, who likes flowers and walks and books.  : )

• What is your favorite barricade boy-related song (i.e., Do You Hear The People Sing?, Drink With Me, Turning)?

Do You Hear the People Sing?  It's their call to rise and fight for freedom!

• Which one would you most like to have lunch with (and think realistically...even if your favorite is Enjo, if you're a girl, he definitely wouldn't go out for a meal with you. Courfeyrac, however, is a different matter ;)

Well, I'd try to ask Enj out and say it's only to talk about political things, but if he said no, I'd have lunch with Courf or Gavroche.  : )

• And lastly...a hypothetical (well, the one above was a hypothetical too, but...). How do you think it would turn out if some of the barricade boys helped with your homework? :)

Hahahaha....  I can just see Enj making red (*wink, wink*) marks all over my math homework – "Yet another one wrong!  Eowyn, you're no longer a child!"  Grantaire would give me some wine, of course.  Jehan and I would talk about walks and books.  I don't know about the rest!  After we were done with homework, though, I'd take them all to Ikea and we'd build a barricade.  *nods*

 

-Eowyn-

Elevensies Tag!

Rules:
- If you are tagged/nominated, you must post eleven facts about yourself.
- Then, you must answer the eleven questions the tagger has given you and make eleven questions for the people you are going to tag.
- Next, tag eleven more bloggers.
- Tell the people you tagged that you have tagged them.
- No tagging back.

 

Eleven Random Facts About Moi

 

1. I'm weird.  Plain and simple.  I'll watch Master and Commander or The Avengers one day and love it, then I'll go and watch something like You've Got Mail or Children On Their Birthdays or even Les Miserables the next day and love that just as much.  I have Pies and Prejudice (book 3 of The Mother-Daughter Book Club Series) on my bookshelf beside my bed, right under Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, right beside The Choice (by Robert Whitlow – check it out if you ever get the chance!).  Yikes.  : D

 

2. I'm a HUGE Faramir fan – as in, he's my favorite character in the entire LOTR trilogy.  (As if you didn't already know.....)  I like him more than Aragorn and Sam combined.  And I really don't like Frodo, but partially because of Elijah Wood's portrayal of him in the movie.

 

3. I'm getting my degree through CollegePlus, and planning on taking my first test (worth 6 credits!) today or tomorrow.  (I'm also planning on being the girl version of Blake Cadwell, who got 80 credits in 8 months – no joke.  Thus is my goal.  Graduate high school in '13, graduate college in '14.  *nods*)

 

4. I have two piano students.  And they've taught me more than I've taught them!!

 

5. I collect stamps.  (And used to organize them while listening to the 10th Anniversary Dream Cast of Les Miz.  "Yes... this is true.")

 

6. I'm a huge fan of Indie films.  October Baby is my favorite.  Seriously.  If you haven't seen it, go rent it now.  Go ahead – I'll wait for you.  Done?  Okay.  Moving on.  (You can thank me after you watch it in the comments section.)

 

7. I really like Josh Groban's voice and am planning on going to see him in August!  YAY!!!!

 

8. I'm not very picky with my food, but there are just some things I can't eat.  Like asparagus.  And steamed tomatoes that my mom so loves to put in soup.  And eggplant lasagna.  And grapefruit (and grapefruit juice).  Yuck.

 

9. Up until about a year ago, I didn't like dark chocolate.  (Horrible, I know.)  I still could do without white chocolate, and I think people who don't like chocolate are crazy.

 

10. I'm a hopeless Disney fan.  I love all of the old classics!  The Fox and The Hound was the first movie I ever cried in.  Ever.  And Aladdin's dad (in Aladdin and the King of Thieves) was my first childhood crush.  I recommended Tom and Huck to someone the other day and I've been really wanting to watch Newsies again.  I also like all of the 'forgotten' Disney films, such as The Iron Giant and The Adventures of Huck Finn (The '93 version with Elijah Wood – SO CUTE!!!).

 

11. I don't like rollercoasters.  Period.  Exclamation mark.

 

Eleven Questions for Me!

 

1. Have you ever ridden in a tractor? Or driven one?

I don't think so....  Oh, wait!  I think I've ridden in the bucket scooper thing (I don't know what its official name is....).  That was fun.  : )

2. Have you ridden a motorcycle?

No, but I've ridden on a dirt bike!  All by me onesies!  That was better than the tractor.  : D

3. What is your favorite national park?

Well, considering the fact I've only been to a very few, I'd have to say Blue Ridge.  The views are simply gorgeous!  When I publish my novel and become rich and famous, I'm going to have a summer home there.  (Hey....  Let a girl dream.)

4. Who is your favorite Contemporary Christian Music artist?

Tenth Avenue North, hands down.  I love their album Over and Underneath, but I also really like The Struggle.  Their lyrics are so deep!

5. Mexican, Italian or Chinese food?

Hmmmm.....  That's a hard one!  I really don't like Mexican, though (I just don't get spicy food – who wants to be in pain while they eat?), so that narrows it down.....  I can't really have Italian or Chinese food anymore, but I think, if I could have it....  I'd pick Italian.  (My family is part of a small church – nine families on a full Sunday – and whenever we vote for the theme for our next fellowship meal, it's always between Mexican and Italian.  And I'm always the only one who votes for Italian.  So, yeah....  We have Mexican a lot.)

6. Favorite type of cookie?

I don't really care!  Anything with chocolate!!!

7. Favorite fast food place to eat?

Anything fried!  If I were allowed to pick from anything – including stuff I'm not allowed to have anymore – I'd pick Chick-fil-A.  Yuuuummmmm.....

8. Do you have a green thumb?

Haha, I don't think so.  I tend to kill indoor plants, but my square of our garden outside is always the tidiest (even if it doesn't produce as much).  No idea how that happens....  : D

9. Do you prefer to write or type in a chair or at a desk?

It depends.  If I'm writing something like a letter or journal entry, I'll prefer to sit at a desk.  (I need something to bear down on.)  If I'm typing at my laptop, I can do it anywhere.  Literally.  I climbed up in a tree the other day and worked on my novel.  It was amazing!  (Although... it didn't last very long....  The branches hurt and I couldn't break them off because the tree was on my piano teacher's property.)

10. How many states have you visited?

Oh, wow.....  Ummm....  North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, D.C. (Yeah, it's not a state... whatever), Mississippi, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland....  I think that's it.  14 states.  (Wow.)  Although, I've been hearing rumors of a big cross-country road trip coming up, so that number will probably change.  : D

11. What international capital city would you most like to see?

EDINBURGH!!!!  My DREAM is to visit Scotland.  Probably for my honeymoon.  (Second place honeymoon destination is Disney World.  *nods*  Yup.)  I'd also like to visit London and Dublin and maybe even Paris, but those aren't quite as important.  : )

 

As for people I tag.....

 

Haley

Amy

Belle, Addy, and Emma

Bella

 

And that's it.  I'm a little scatterbrained today, so that's all I can think of.  : D

 

Your questions are.....

 

1. What was the most recent movie you've seen and what did you think of it?

2. Would you rather live on the beach or in the mountains?
3. What's your favorite Disney Princess and why?
4. What's your favorite book?  (Or, if you can't decide, what are your three top favorite books?)

5. Would you rather live in Narnia, Middle-Earth, or 1860's England?
6. Who is your favorite movie or book character?

7. Have you ever heard of Focus on the Family's Father Gilbert Mysteries?  If so, what do you think of them?
8. If you could pick anywhere in the world, where would you want to live when you get married?

9. What's your favorite musical?
10. Cake or ice cream?

11. How many times have you been to Disney World?

 

One more thing....  I don't care if you tag me back.  : D

 

~Eowyn~

i love tags... muchly

Bella of To Say Nothing of Reality tagged me! *fistpump*

So, instead of the (rather boring) post that I was planning on doing today, I'll just reply to her tag. : )

1) Will you watch black-and-white movies?

Oh, yes. They're amazing! Sure, I prefer movies in color, but I think that a lot of the better movies (with better morals, actors, stories, etc) are in black-and-white – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, You Can't Take it With You, It's a Wonderful Life, Cyrano de Bergerac. (If you haven't already, go watch all of those. Post haste.)

2) If you could choose between Middle Earth and Narnia where would you go?

Dare I even try to choose?! *sigh* Fine.

Let's see.... I think it would depend on when. If Faramir were still alive, then I'd go to Middle Earth. He's the only reason I watch Lord of the Rings now. XD

And it depends on who's in Narnia – all of the Pevensies? Or Eustace and Jill? Or Diggory and Polly? Or Shasta and Aravis? Or somewhere in between? You have to keep all those factors in mind!

In the end, though, I think I'd choose Narnia, partially because I'd love to just walk around and stumble upon places in the books – Cair Paravel, anyone?! – and partially because I'd love to meet people and see all of the creatures with my own eyes. That would be amazing.

3) What is one place you'd like to visit?(or revisit as the case may be)

SCOTLAND!!!!! (This is a visit, not a revisit.) My revisit place would be Washington, D.C. There was way too much to see in only ten days, and it was even harder to process when I was eleven! Or Disney. (Yes, I'm eighteen and want to go to Disney. Your point is?)

4) You discover a dragons egg under your bed. What is the first thing you do?

Shriek hysterically. Then claim it as my own and have an internal debate as to what to name it when it hatched. Probably Ciara, after Aaron's dragon. (From Aaron's Journey, that novel I keep telling you guys about. Toying with the idea of rewriting it... for the third time.)

5) How would you describe a hero?

Percy and Knightley and Alf all rolled into one. : ) Seriously, though, a hero is someone who is sacrificial – someone who puts others' needs above his own. Someone who will do anything necessary to achieve his goal. (And, in doing so, not only rescues the princess, but wins her heart as well.)

6) Do you like acting and if so, would you take an acting class with me?

Ooh, yes, please!! There was a time when I dreamed about acting, but now I'm only thinking about writing screenplays. Methinks an acting class would help my writing.

*takes freshly baked, gluten-free (and still delicious!) peanut butter cookie break*

7) What is your favorite type of book?

A good one. Lots of action, suspense, and mystery, a very creepy bad guy, an awesome hero, and a girl. So that there can be a hint of romance. : ) If you don't believe that all this can be put into one book, go pick up something by Wayne Thomas Batson. Remember that name – WTB, author of awesomeness known as The Door Within Trilogy, The “Isle” Books (Isle of Swords and Isle of Fire), The Berinfell Prophecies, and The Dark Sea Annals. All are good and highly recommended to all who read this post!!!

8)Do you carry/own a sonic screwdriver?

Sadly, no. But I know a few guys who do.... : )

9) Would you run away with Peter Pan?

Maybe... if only to see if I can kill Hook all by me onesies. (Savvy?)

10) Do you like the old, legend-like fairy tales?

Eh... not really. I like Disney fairy tales, though!

11) What is the craziest thing you've ever done?

Written fifty thousand words of my novel in one month. That was insane – and I absolutely mean it. I don't think I'll be able to do it again (until June, that is).

Ask me again in about two months and I'll tell you, “Edit my novel.”

Thank you so much for tagging me, Bella! That was so much fun!!

To be on the weird side (or just be me), I'm going to tag all of my readers without blogs. That means Haley and Elinor and anyone else who wants to! Below are your questions. Leave your answers in the comment section. Can't wait to read them!

1. Have you ever done something so crazy that you know you'll never do it again?
2. Who is your favorite literary hero/heroine?
3. Have you ever read a book by Wayne Thomas Batson???
4. What is your favorite kind of cookie?
5. Do you think that Loki is evil, or just cute?
6. Have you ever been so “into” something (such as a hobby or book or movie) that it scares your family, especially parents? Do tell!
7. Do you hate kittens?
8. Do you agree with me that War Horse seemed a lot like Black Beauty?
9. Which do you like more – folding laundry or washing dishes?
10. What is your most-accessed video (or channel or playlist) on YouTube?
11. When was the last time you memorized a Bible verse and what was it?

~Eowyn~

Better

(Pre-written blog posts are amazing.  At the time this will be posted, I'll be at a Christmas party, then probably going to see The Hobbit because our next Christmas party was cancelled!  WOOT!)

I love tags.  I love getting tagged and answering fun questions.  : )

I got tagged a while ago by Kiri Liz, but can't find the tag questions, so I decided to tag myself (read: steal) from one of the tags she recently did.  I laughed really hard while reading her post and decided to do it for myself!

Rules:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle. 
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 20 friends.
5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.

Yipes.  I don't know how this will play out.  Apologies if it's really, really random!!  : )

If someone says "Are you okay?" you say...
'Bad Day' from The Chipmunks.
Umm....  I didn't have a bad day today, really.  I cleaned the house and listened to my Special Edition, Extended (read: awesome!) soundtrack for The Hobbit.  No, it was a great day.  : )

What would best describe your personality?
'Lose My Soul' by TobyMac.
Uhhh....  No comment.  : P

How would you describe yourself?
'Wedding Chorale' from Les Miz.
Ooh, a wedding!  I love weddings!  Drinks all around!

What do you like in a guy/girl?
'Marie's Wedding' by The High Kings.
Well, I certainly appreciate it if they like weddings, too.  Or dancing to awesome Celtic music.  Either is good.

How do you feel today?
'An Operatic Tragedy' from Little Women - The Musical.
"Now I'm back to settle the scooooooooore!"  Yup.  : )

What is your life's purpose?
'Mother Knows Best (Reprise)' from Tangled.
My mother does know best.  I hope this means I'll take her advice.  : )

What's Your Motto?
'Now and For Always' from The Lord of the Rings - The Musical.
This song starts with Sam singing about how great Frodo is for taking the Ring into Mordor and then ends with Frodo telling Sam how great of a friend he is for staying by his side.  *sniff*  Sam is amazing.  I'm very loyal to my friends, but I don't know if I'm that loyal.  (Great musical, by the way!  You can listen to the song here.)

What do your friends think of you?
'The Contest' from The Little Mermaid - The Musical.
That much is true.  While I can't hit a high C, I'm very competitive.  ("It's so clear!  Can't you hear?  I'm the one!") 

What do your parents think of you?
'Wonder' from The Lord of the Rings - The Musical.
Yeah, I'm a wonder alright!  And I'm a huge Lothlorien fan, too.  : )  ("Lothlorien!  Beyond the sun, beyond the moon....  Wonder....")

What do you think about very often?
'Javert's Arrival' from Les Miz.
Yup.  Forever wondering what it (and other scenes) will be like in the movie coming out soon!!  ("LIAR!"  Best part.)

What is 2 + 2?
'Black, White, Tan' by Nicole C. Mullen.
Makes perfect sense if you think about it.  The numbers can be black, white, or tan.  : )  Love that song....  I used it for the song behind my littlest brother's first Gotcha Day party!  Moral of the song - "Everyone is precious in the Father's sight....  He just loves you 'cause He loves you....  You are not a color and the color is not you!"  Here's the link.  I dare you not to cry.  : )

What do you think of your best friend?
'Kingdom Dance' from Tangled.
Yes, I love to dance with my best friend... even if neither of us know the guy's part....  But this song always reminds me of camping in the back yard with my younger brother.  We made a fire, played it over the speakers on my laptop, and danced around the fire.  : )

What do you think of the person you like?
'She's In Love' from The Little Mermaid - The Musical.
*cough, hack, cough*  I am NOT in love.  I love this song, though.  It's one of the most played on my iPod.  I love songs that don't apply to me - especially sad Christmas love songs like 'Last Christmas'!!  HA!!

What is your life story?
'Mother Knows Best' from Tangled.
("Is this thing rigged?!  MOOOOOM!!  What'd you do to my iPod?!")  Sigh.  Too true.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
'Storm at Sea' from The Little Mermaid - The Musical.
Uh, yeah...  I'm already a storm at sea, so check!

What do you think when you see the person you like?
'In My Life/A Heart Full of Love' from Les Miz.
"Does he know I'm alive?  Do I know if he's real?  Did he see what I saw?  Does he feel what I feel?"
Yeah.  Wouldn't it be great if people spontaneously burst into song in their everyday lives?!  AND IN TUNE?!

What will you do at your wedding?
'The Most Amazing Thing' from Little Women - The Musical.
Hopefully I'll be in love....  Ya never know....

What will they play at your funeral?
'Fantine's Death' from Les Miz.
Nooooo....  That'd be way too sad!  For everyone involved....  ("Come to me!  Cosette, the light is fading....  I'll see you when I waaaaaaaake....")

What is your hobby/interest?
'One Last Shot' from The Pirates of the Caribbean.
True....  Airsoft is a hobby of mine....  And playing violin and piano kind of works, too....

What is your biggest fear?
'Christmas This Year' by TobyMac.
Ummm....  Nope.  That'd be one of the rare occasions when my shuffle is wrong.  : ) 

What is your biggest secret?
'Something That I Want' from Tangled.
You'll never know....

What do you want right now?
(HA!!  Couldn't pick a more oppertune moment!  Now....  Let's see what I want....  Ouch, I'm scared.)
'One Day More' from Les Miz.
SQUEEEEEEEE!!!  YES!!  In IMAX the day after Christmas!!!

What do you think of your friends?
'I Dreamed a Dream' from Les Miz.
Yeah...  I dreamed a dream that I had friends....  Obviously, it was only a dream....  *sniff*  ("Honestly....  If you're dreaming...."  Heehee....)

What's the worst thing that could happen?
'Could You?' from Little Women - The Musical.
That'd actually be the best thing that could happen to me....  Traveling around with my aunt....  Sighhhhhh....  (I actually specifically requested that as a graduation gift earlier today.  No joke!)
What is the one thing you regret?

'If I Can't Love Her' from Beauty and the Beast - The Musical.
Yup.  I regret ever listening to this song.  Brings me to tears every time I hear it.  *sob*  Here it is if you feel like crying....

What makes you laugh?
'The Rising of the Moon' by The High Kings.
It makes me laugh because it's so awesome!  I seriously can't listen to it without grinning wildly.  : )

What makes you cry?
'The Circle of Life' from The Lion King - The Musical.
Life is sad.  Can't argue with that.

Will you ever get married?
'Prologue' from Les Miz.
If that doesn't give you an answer, I don't know what will.  Obviously, I'm living a prologue, then the opening chapters of my life will begin when I'm married.  XD

What scares you the most?'Back at the Barricade/On My Own' from Les Miz.

Apparently being on my own....

Does anyone like you?
'So Long, Self' by MercyMe.
Nope.  So I'm getting rid of my own self.  (But, hey, I don't like me without God, either, so....)
If you could go back in time, what would you change?
'Washed by the Water' by NeedtoBreathe.
Ummm....

What hurts right now?
'The Confontation' from Les Miz.
My shuffle couldn't be more true!  That hurts....

What would you want to say to the person who tagged you?
'Amazing Grace' from Amazing Grace - The Movie.
Yup.  I'd pick up my bagpipes and blow in their face.  That's exactly what I'd do.

What will you name this post?
'Better' from Little Women - The Musical.
"MISS MARCH!  I spoke my mind - as you spoke yours.  Obviously it wasn't appreciated on either side!"
"How can I do better than what's already here?!"  Yup.

That was weird.....

~Eowyn~

Doctor Who Blog Party Tag Questions

A Doctor Who Blog Party is taking place over at Day by Day and they've had some pretty awesome things happening thus far!  Take a look!

When I saw the tag questions that people submitted a few days before the party started, I couldn't resist.  Here are my answers.

(Disclaimer: I've only seen two full episodes of Doctor Who, but I know I like it already.  : )  Also, I don't agree with some of the content in the show, even though, overall, the show is one of the cleanest out there....)

Allons-y!

1| If you decided to name your first born child after any Doctor Who character, male or female, who would it be?  Rose.  From what I've seen, she's my favorite companion and she's totally awesome.  : )  Oooor.... I've always wanted to name my kids, oh, what's the word.... rare names.  Cuz everybody's name is Hannah Grace or Mary Sue.  So Rory would fit in there perfectly....  : )  And I've always loved the name Amy... and Matt... and David....  XD

2| What is your favourite colour of the Doctor's shoes?  RED!!  His red Converse are ah.mazing.  (Someone's been peeking at my Christmas list....)

3| Look around yourself and name the one thing that is TARDIS blue in your house!  My homeschool Greek notebook.  Now I will never look at it the same way again....

4| If you could pick who plays the Twelfth Doctor which actor would you choose and why?  Tom Hiddleston.  From the few things I've seen him in, I'd say he'd be a pretty good Doctor!

5| The Doctor is going back in time again, which historical era should he visit?  Ooh, good one!  Hum....  Regency.  : )  That would be amazing.  (Ooh, and then he could meet Elizabeth Bennet or Emma Woodhouse!!!)

6| Would you REALLY go with the Doctor in the TARDIS?  Is the popemobile Catholic?!

7| Who's your favorite Doctor and why?  Ten, hands down.  He has so much more personality than the others combined.  And none of the other Doctors sword-fight aliens in their jimjams, wear 3-D glasses or brainy specs the way he does, or have amazing hair and eyebrows.

8| Would you be afraid to spend Christmas in London?  I would gladly spend Christmas in London if I knew something would happen and the Doctor would come!!  Then I'd travel with him in the Tardis.  : )

9| Do you look at an ordinary screwdriver and think 'this could be a bit more sonic?'  Every time!!

10| Angel statues, plastic mannequins, Christmas trees - what ordinary everyday object would you love to make an object of terror to Whovians were you Steven Moffat?  Pots full of boiling water.  Something could come out of them with steam and creep me out!!

11| The TARDIS lands in your garden and the Doctor steps out. What is the first thing you say to him?  "OH, MY STARS!!"  And then I'd say, "TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!"

12| Who is your favorite actor who has played the Doctor so far and why?  David Tennant.  He brings so much life to the tenth Doctor, it's stunning.  Absolutely stunning.  I mean, that's the reason he even wanted to be an actor - watching Doctor Who when he was little.... And I think that's why he's so amazing - because he knows how long he's wanted to do it and there's no reason to hold back and not live his dream.  Me loves him.  : )

13| Have you seen any Classic Doctor Who? If so, which Doctor/episode(s) is your favorite?  Nope.  My sister wants to watch them all, though, and I'd sit there with her and watch it, too!  I think I'd like the ones with Sylvester McCoy, though.... He seems quite amazing.  Or Peter Davidson - the Time Crash episode looks pretty cool!!

14| Which are the creepiest, scariest and all-out meanest baddies in all the Who-niverse?  I think the Weeping Angels are....  They sound so creepy!

15| Who is/are your favorite Companion(s) and why?  Rose cuz she's Rose and, therefore, awesome.  I also like what I've seen of Amy and Rory - those who waited.  : )

16| Did you cry more watching Doomsday or The Angels Take Manhattan?  Never seen either, but I've read the synopsis-es and seen a few clips and... I could barely keep myself from crying during a Doomsday clip.  I had to tell myself, "Girl, you've only seen one David Tennant episode - calm down!"  I can hardly imagine what shape I'll be in when I finally do see it....

17| What is your favorite quote from the show?  Only one?!  I can't do just one....

"It's bigger on the inside!"

"Rose is coming back.... Is that good?""Yeah."

 

"Look at the hair on the back of my very manly hand!"

"Timey wimey," "Wibbly wobbly," "Spacey wacey," "Humany woomany," and "Jiggery pokery."

"I'll just step inside this police box and arrest myself..."

"Don't blink.  Blink and you're dead."

Not bad for a girl who's only seen two episodes....  : )

18| Which Doctor (including all previous regenerations) would you most like to be the companion of, and why?  Ten.  Because he's awesome.  : )

19| Which of the following are you more scared of, the Daleks, Cybermen, or the Weeping Angles?  The Weeping Angels.  They drive me nuts!

20| Who are some of your favorite guest stars in the series?  Sally Sparrow/Ada Clare.  I've only seen snippets, but she looks amazing!!

21| What was your first experience with Doctor Who and how did you hear about the series?  I think my first experience was on a friend's blog.  Then I heard about it on another friend's blog... then another friend's blog....  I was like, "Hey, I guess I need to watch this."  And I did.  And that was the end of that.

22| The Ninth Doctor said, 'Fantastic!', Ten said, 'Allons-y', and Eleven says, 'Geronimo'; what would you like to be the signature exclamation of the Twelfth Doctor?  "Yes?"  He could say it in a weird way... drawn out and with a British accent....  : )

23| If you were trapped in an episode, which one would it be?  One of the Christmas episodes....  I'd be the victim who was shot and had to be carried onto the Tardis to be brought somewhere for safety.  Yup, that'd be awesome.

24| Which is your favorite episode with each Doctor (Nine, Ten and Eleven)?  Seeing I've only seen two....  The first episode of Nine, the first episode of Ten, and (from clips) the first episode of Eleven.  I've always been a fan of beginnings....  : )

25| After watching a certain Doctor Who episode, did you summon up the courage to try fish sticks and custard?  Ummmm....  Must I answer that one?

I realize I just posted a lot of pictures from the show....  And what I did post wasn't even a drop in the bucket.  *nervous chuckle*  I guess you could call me a fan.

Totally ready for the rest of the Doctor Who Blog Party!!

~Eowyn~

The June Crusade Tag!!

This tag looks like a fun one!! Anne gave me questions to ask my characters, and they're going to answer. (Let's see how crazy this gets....)


I'm going to do this with my two main characters (yes, you CAN have two main characters - "I believe I just did."), Nikki (15) and Alec (17).


(FYI, they're brother and sister. Clearing up a little boyfriend/girlfriend rumor that's going around.....)


Do you want a hug?
Nikki: Yes, please. All of this nonsense you've put us through has made me feel in need of a hug!
Alec: You? Hug... me? A writer hugging a character?! Talk about weird... I think four thousand words in three hours made you a little... um.... Oh, look, a shiny quarter!


Do you have any kids?
Nikki: No way!
Alec: Silly girl. You should know - you invented me.
Me: Heehee... that's true...


Have you killed anyone?
Nikki: No... unless hating counts...
Me: I don't think that's what Anne-girl meant.
Nikki: Then no. And I don't plan on it. Even though I feel like seriously wounding Liam and Kylie...
Me: Watch it, Nick. Alec?
Alec: Nope. Next question.


Love anyone?
Nikki: Besides Alec and Dad? No. Although... you've made Dylan start being friends with me and that's totally weird.
Me: I'll make him leave for a Christmas vacation.
Nikki: Thanks.
Me: Alec?
Alec: That's a personal question.
Me: I already know who you love.
Alec: That's because you're the writer. Duh!


What is your job?
Nikki: Oh, great. Um, I don't have a job. I'm a sister and a competitive ice dancer... very competitive.
Me: Oh, really? I didn't know that.
Nikki: Just wait til Nationals. *rubs hands gleefully* Liam and Kylie are in for it.
Me: I can't wait! Maybe I'll get to that tomorrow.... Alec?
Alec: My job? I don't have a job, either. I'm Nikki's brother.


What are you going to do when this tag is over?
Nikki: I think you had me going to Natalie's house. Or... um... something else. I was talking to Kate.
Me: Yeah, you were. No idea what you're doing next.
Nikki: Oh, great. That's just perfect. So I have to decide for myself?
Me: That's about it. Yeah.
Nikki: Then I'll take a nap.
Alec: I'm going to talk to Dylan. (Purple shotguns, heehee...)
Me: You can't talk about purple shotguns yet! That's later! With Nikki, remember?
Alec: How am I supposed to remember it if it's later?!
*crickets*
Me: Good point.


What is your greatest fear?
Nikki: Personal much?!
Me: Well, it's on the list! Be a good girl and answer, please.
Nikki: Ugh, fine. My greatest fear is that *whispers* Alec won't remember something.
Alec: Huh?
Me: I know what she's talking about, and you're not supposed to... yet. Your greatest fear?
Alec: That I won't be able to remember anything.
Me: You'll remember.
Alec: Really? Ooh, goody - spoilers direct from the author!
Nikki: Oh, shush!! Don't tell him any more! Next question!


What do you think of your parents?
Nikki: I love Dad a lot, and I loved Mom a lot. Didn't I just tell Kylie how much she meant to me?
Me: Yeah. That was good. *high five* You, Alec?
Alec: Well, at this point in my life, I have no idea who my parents are. (No idea who I am, actually.) So I can't really say what I think of them.
Me: This is a sad question. Thanks for making me tear up. Moving on.


Any siblings?
Nikki: *coughs*
Alec: Um.... Didn't you say that you were my sister?
Nikki: Yeah.
Alec: Then we're siblings.


Eye color?
Nikki: Um.... *runs to a mirror*
Alec: What about it?
Me: What color are your eyes? Don't be difficult, Alec.
Alec: Who's being difficult? I'm just asking. Goodness. I always thought that my eyes were red, but I think they're green.
Me: No, they're not. They're brown. Nikki, yours are blue.
Nikki: *comes back* Okay, thanks.


Are you good or bad?
Nikki: I have my good moments, and I have my bad moments. I'm a sinner saved by the grace of God.
Me: Good answer! Alec?
Alec: Uh.... From what I gather from Nikki's conversations with Natalie that I've read -
Nikki: Hey!
Alec: - I was mostly bad. But I'm working on myself. Being good and all.
Nikki: He's more like the old Alec now... and that's great.


Favorite season?
Nikki: Winter. I can practice on ice better than I can on roller-skates.
Alec: I don't know. Summer, I guess?


Who's your best friend?
Nikki: Natalie Fraser. Hands down.
Me: Did you know that she was named after Hadley Fraser?
Nikki: You're weird. Been watching too much of the 25th Phantom?
Me: No. Well.... I think I named Natalie right after I found out that Hadley was in the 25th Les Miserables. *coughs*
Alec: That's disgusting. I thought you liked Sir Percy!
Me: Who I like is of NO concern to you. (Although you are correct - Sir Percy is farther up on my heroes list than Hadley because Hadley isn't a hero. He just has a really good voice and does an amazing Raoul and a deep Grantaire. Moving on.) Who's your best friend?
Alec: I've recently discovered that Dylan was my best friend. (Unless Allie counts....)
Me: No, she doesn't.


Hobbies?
Nikki: I love ice dancing. And watching period drama films - you discovered that a few days ago. (Beating carpets?)
Alec: I don't know what I like, heehee, so I'll just say that I've liked reading whatever book I'm reading right now. You never named it, did you?
Me: Uh, no.... Wait!! The List by Robert Whitlow.
Alec: Oh, yeah! It's good. Intense and suspenseful - isn't that what I said?
Me: Yeah.


Do you care what others think of you?
Nikki: Yeah. More than I should, probably. I'm an introvert, and that probably doesn't help much.
Alec: Sort of. Right now I'm just trying to figure out what I think of me.


Was this interview fun?
Nikki: Yeah, I guess so. It was a good break from all of that nonsense you've put me through.
Me: Deepest apologies. Alec?
Alec: *yawns* Yeah, but it's made me tired. I'm ready to go home.
Nikki: Me, too. Can we go home now?
Me: Yeah, whenever I have time to write it.
Nikki: Good. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Alec: Me, neither. Hopefully I'll remember soon....?
Me: We'll see. I've been getting a little long-winded, heehee.


Wow, that was fun! Now for a little break before I start at it again. I just passed 35k this morning - woot! - and can't wait to finish!


BUT! Due to some news my family got on Wednesday, I don't know if I'll be able to finish my novel in time. We might have to take a sudden, long trip. (Exciting, exciting!!!) Any prayer would be great and appreciated! I'll have more news whenever I get more!


~Eowyn~