Pen's Nest

There's a new 'Emma' film about the place somewhere. I have not seen it yet, though I'd like to. But Jane Austen's 'Emma' was being read on Radio 4 last week, and I think must have influenced my Beast into wanting to watch it again. We have three, oh yes, three versions of the story: the 1996 movie with Gwyneth Paltrow, the ITV made-for-television film version with Kate Beckinsale as Emma, and the 2009 BBC 4-part series starring Jonny Lee Miller and Romola Garai. (But I think we might be putting the Paltrow film into the charity box.)

It's been interesting, comparing the different takes.
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It will be interesting to see the newest film. The trailers look frantic, and aimed at comedy, with even Mr Woodhouse looking for the laugh. Still, I like the look of the Harriet, and Emma, too. Mr Knightley looks too young and not quite purposeful enough. Mr Eltonis again the 'type'. Having Miranda as Miss Bates looks like a good choice—especially if she's to be played for laughs—but nobody will surpass Tamsin Greig. Has anybody seen it? What did you think?

A little Austen plum from YouTube: Elizabeth Bennet being iconic for more than 6 minutes straight. Very giggle-worthy.

First, the horror, the horror! . Seriously, I shrieked. It's a look at men's fashions from the '70s. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!


This, by contrast, is truly awesome! Quarantine shenanigans with fresh poppin' dance moves.


There have been quite a lot of pictures showing zoo animals interacting. Here we have a sloth going visiting, on his branch. And if you scroll down, you will see him encounter dolphins. One of the dolphins re-orients itself to match its new friend. I mean. This is adorable.

And there's this one, with orangutans and otters - I mean, awesomeness, or what?


I must also recommend to you something else, but with provisos.

First, are you interested in and willing to listen to the story of a murderous barber and the sidekick who puts his victims into pies? If not, pass along now.

Second, are you averse to the music of Sondheim? Because if you are (and you shouldn't be, but there is no accounting for taste and it takes all kinds to make a world so I will not judge you, not very much), you may as well pass along. Nay, nay, what am I saying, stay, and listen, and be converted!

I recently discovered that the very first version of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd that I ever heard is available on YouTube. I recorded it from the radio on cassette tape more than twenty years ago, and I am *so* glad to have found it in this much, much better form. It is audio only, for this was a concert version by the National Theatre Cast, from a production I never saw (woe). But you don't really need visuals, just think dark, Victorian and bloody, and you'll see it.

Do, do give it a listen. It is brilliant. Brilliant. What a fine soundtrack it would make to your creative efforts, if you are knitting, say, or baking, or… well, maybe not baking, but anyway. I do prefer to hear it through headphones, the SFX are very, um, visceral that way.

If you do give it a listen, how do you picture the members of the cast? I only have one in my head—the Beadle is a more sinister version of Mr Collins from the 1995 Pride and Prejudice series. I'd love some more visuals, if you have any suggestions to make!

Although if you want a visual, this is probably the most awesomely funny scene in the entire musical, here played by Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball, who were absolutely brilliant when I saw this version live several years ago. Brilliant. (!t was set in the 1930s, which worked.)

I've been loading up fics for the Kindle, to occupy me on the long (it'll seem like eternity, as I'm going Economy) flights to Launceston, Tasmania a couple of weeks from now. And had to search back through the history of my instant messages to Beast for a link to The Carpetbaggers, which I knew I'd sent him (yes, I found it).

During the search, I came across this link: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-evolutionary-benefit-or-purpose-of-having-periods

It is fascinating! Replies talk about the 'war' that is pregnancy, and what the endometrium does, and all kinds of stuff. Male politicians and anti-abortionists of all stripes should be forced to read it as many times as necessary for them to understand what pregnancy *is*. Meanwhile, it's most informative for the rest of us.

*

In other news, Dead 7 will be on Syfy in the UK on May 3rd. I'll be in Australia... so I do hope someone will find a means of capturing this masterpiece for Camp.

(a) Best description ever: the alluring aroma of a tire fire that has been extinguished with horse urine.
If you guessed Axe body spray, you guessed right!

(b) Gay Porn and Kittens! It's like a microcosm of the internetz. Just the best bits.

(c) Where the hell is Matt, 2012

Of the pleasing:

I spent most of Wednesday painting, and much of the rest rehearsing a duet for our summer revue. Most fun. When I walked into Leisureworld for Whoppers, being in no mood to cook and very hungry, For Your Entertainment was up on the big screen.

Thursday evening's rehearsal went well: my chorus remembered most of my medley, so I am proud. Also, new 'Bones' arrived. Beast and I were more than baffled at the idea a London car hire company would rent out an ancient Mini (especially when the customer asked for an Aston Martin [which is not a very suitable car for Town, really, Booth]), and confused by the idea that Oxford seemed to be five minutes from the City of London, but otherwise it was pleasing enough.

Today's exercise went well. I am getting tolerably good at the TRX press-ups, and Beast emerged pink and sweaty from his spin session. We have embarked upon re-watching the Lord of the Rings films (extended, natch), enjoying the calm before the imminent storm that is pre-Camp Sparkle (!).

Three of my regular blog-reads posted excellent stuff today:

Pharyngula doesn't think much of Catholics...

Slacktivist doesn't think much of the Tea Party

and

Greta Christina explains why she's an atheist writer.

Also, as I guessed, it is clear that Twitter is a perfect fit for Lance. I really think my dog Dingo is a vampire!! He will not walk into my house until I invite him!!

Oh, Lance. I love you so.