The Internet Gave Us These Amazing Gifts
The wide world of the interwebs has been on a role lately. It gave us these amazing gifts and scattered them across our Facebook feeds, blog readers, twitter timelines, and one of my particularly favorite time wasters, YouTube, and its endless rabbit hole of clips to watch.
With the new year already flying by, friends and family alike are feeling overwhelmed. Adding in the loss of David Bowie and Alan Rickman only heightened all “the feels” and I think we could all use a little entertainment that makes us smile, or better yet, bust a gut laugh.
I Give You These Gifts the Internet Gave Us
Go Ahead and Laugh
Because everyone loves a good pun, Comedy Central sent out the hashtag request to #InternetABook, and Buzzfeed collected 29 Hilarious Literary Internet Puns. Don’t judge me, but my favorite one was “Moby Dick Pic.” I died laughing.
Reaching ERMAGHERD status – James Corden and Tom Hanks acted out Hanks’s film career in a matter of minutes and it’s spectacular.
Stop everything you’re doing right now and take this quiz. Wes Anderson has to be one of my all time favorite film directors. I will watch anything that man creates, even if it was an ad revival to bring back yellow pages on the home shopping network. (But why would anyone want that?) Anyway…
Who Would You End Up With in a Wes Anderson movie?
I got: Jane from The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
“You and Jane share a tenacity and a love of words. Whether you’re also a journalist or not, you’re always searching for the truth and greater meaning in life, just like Jane. You’d make an effing great duo.”
Touchstone
Brace yourselves, children, because Anne of Green Gables is back!
Breaking Bad Writer is Bringing Anne of Green Gables back to Television
Or check out celebrity nano-impressions by Ross Marquand! See celebrity impressions in common day snafus. My fave: Brad Pitt forgets what he was going to say.
In honor of Alan Rickman, let’s talk about that time he pranked Harry Potter with a fart machine. Don’t you wish you were a fly on that set?
And Now For Some Self-Care Super-Stories
August McLaughlin is my sister from another mother, and she penned this awesome post about 5 Empowering Questions to Ask Yourself Daily for a Groovier, More Impactful Life. I am all about the side hustle right now.
Kirsten Weiss of the Para Your Normal blog shared 5 Mantras to Boost Your Magick. Let’s just say, the universe has been telling me this for awhile, and I’m ready to listen.
My friend Liz from Be. Love. Live. is offering free life coaching now – and I jumped at the chance. Liz has 20 years of experience as a mentor and coach and her blog is one of my favorite motivational/inspirational blogs. It’s real, she’s on a journey too, and it’s full of her beautiful photography not stupid posters with kittens hanging from tree branches. (Note* I have nothing against kittens on tree branches.) Check out Living Intentionally: How to Take Control of Your Life One Moment at a Time.
“Raise your hand if you’ve felt completely overwhelmed sometime in the last six months.” That’s the comaraderie you’ll find with Heather at Hiya Tootsie who gifts us with How to Handle the Overwhelm: a 6 part strategy.
If inspirational just isn’t your thing, then I leave you with Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck. He’s got this thing figured out, and it’s funny.
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What’s been making you laugh this week?
How are you following your dreams?
Go Ahead, Let’s Get Fangirl
I’ve been known to achieve ‘fangirl’ status now and again. You can pretty much count on it whenever anything Jane Austen or Anne of Green Gables pops up. I know those aren’t the popular characters that teens fangirl over today. But, I can get down with those too.
I am Team Edward. A Gryffindor. Divergent. And Team Gale (in the book). Team Peeta (in the movie).
Oh and I’m a full-fledged member of Team Christian Gray needs a restraining order.
I have made real life, lasting friendships through joint fangirling. My pal, Misty, and I became soulmates after discovering a mutual love for the film Singles. And Reality Bites. Talking with Misty is like that scene where Winona Ryder and Janeane Garofalo are in the gas station and their jam comes on.
Yah, it’s like that. AND, that’s why I can send her a chalkboard thought bubble and she can send me a kabuki bottle opener and a cup with a Gremlin on it. We just GET each other.
Thanks to fangirling.
But back to my obsessions. It’s true, I can fangirl over just about anything. I have a loud, energetic, and passionate personality that friends euphemistically call “quirky.” Thanks, friends.
We all go back to what we know, right? And when I was growing up there were two things I came to know very well. Jane Austen movies and Anne of Green Gables.
And Rodgers and Hammerstein’s showtunes. So, three things.
Well, and Shirley Temple movies, so four. Four things.
And then came Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman…
I’m basically a WEALTH of nerd know-how! Like, if it involved singing, Regency Englanders or the fucking prairie, I knew about it.
What can I say, I was raised by old people.
These things haven’t left me. I still love all of them. Because I am a fangirl and my love does not wane.
My sole purpose of having a Pinterest account is a place where I can pin pictures from Jane Austen movies and Anne of Green Gables, losing hours upon HOURS of my day. You can check them out on my pinterest boards So Austentacious and You May Call Me Cordelia.
Here’s what you will find there:
I’m thinking of starting a new board called “Sashay-Bronte” where I can pin things from Wuthering Heights.
I recently scored a new addition to my collection of fangirl swag. I purchased a copy of Shirley Temple’s autobiography Child Star. It’s out of print and you can only get used copies now. Plus Target released the Little Darling Collection of her films, which is to date the most comprehensive of all the sets. I was pretty psyched about this. And I displayed my little “Good Ship Lollipop” of joy for my husband to see.
He wasn’t that amused. In fact, I think he may have been frightened.
No worries. His lack of excitement and psychiatric concern could not put a damper on my spirits!
Because I am a fangirl!
*****
What do you fangirl about?
Do we share a propensity for all things Austen, Anne, or Shirley?
What are your favorite fangirl crazes that stick out from your childhood?
That’s Anne with an E: Who Are Your Book Idols?
I grew up watching all the Anne of the Green Gables movies.
I wanted to be Anne of Green Gables.
I kind of dressed like her.
If I’d have had access to a dory, you would’ve seen my Lady of Shalott corpse impersonation floating down the Rock River.
So can you believe I had never actually read the book?!
I know. I chastised myself.
So for this year’s To Be Read Pile Challenge I picked up the beautifully illustrated, hardcover edition my mother had purchased for me many years ago.
I can’t even find this edition on Amazon now.
It felt wonderful to get sucked back into the world of Anne Shirley, a redheaded little girl whose imagination rivals my own.
The whole book, to me, feels like it’s written in Anne’s flowery way of speaking. I was often laughing out loud. I love when she is asked to introduce herself and she says, “Won’t you call me Cordelia?” At this, everyone always questions her, for they’ve been told her name is Anne. Plain and simple, Anne Shirley.
Admitting defeat, she adds, “But if you must call me Anne, please spell it Anne with an ‘E’. It sounds so much nicer, don’t you think? I can always tell when someone spells it just A-N-N and it’s positively dreadful!”
Even the Chapter titles are fantastic.
Chapter 9: Mrs. Rachel Lynde is Properly Horrified
At its heart, the story of Anne of Green Gables is about finding one’s home. Anne starts out as an orphan, and with her imagination creates a home with family and friends she dreams of every night. Then through a fortunate accident, she finds herself in a new, real home with people who love her and push her to be her best more than any dream she could have imagined. She is definitely a perseverance expert! Some might say, “a kindred spirit.”
Who are the characters in books you loved growing up?
Why did they inspire you?
Is there a classic still on your list you’ve been meaning to read?
Love and Green Gables,
Cordelia
Jess
Throwback Thursday: I Call This My Anne of Green Gables Look
Since I’m writing about my childhood, I thought I’d share a few throwback thursday pics.
I call this one my Anne of Green Gables look. I mean, look at that straw hat!
P.S. I am totally holding the lyric book to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat soundtrack.
I knew every word. Every. Word.
Love and Green Gables,
Jess
Top 5 Cinematic Couples
In honor of this month’s Redhots Review, which will take place next Friday, where Marcia Richards and I give you the whole truth and nothing but the truth on the film Hope Springs, I’m talking couples today! Hope Springs is the film about a married couple who’ve lost their passion for another, and take an extensive couples therapy getaway to bring it back.
So what cinematic couples leave you at the end of the film knowing “they’re going to make it”? Ladies and Gents, I give you:
My Top 5 Cinematic Couples
1. Harry Burns and Sally Albright
(image courtesy amazon.com)
Men and women can’t be friends. Or so Harry thinks when he carpools to New York with Sally after their college graduation. But Harry and Sally end up becoming friends, and then become something more, and then all hell breaks loose, and then they work it! I think Sally will always have Harry to kiss her on New Year’s in this relationship.
2. Loretta Castorini and Ronny Cammareri
(image courtesy amazon.com)
There’s something to be said for the storyline of this movie. First off, I unabashedly love Cher! I love her music, I love her brazenness, and if you’re not following her full of typos and confusing tweets, you’re missing out on lots of fun! @Cher But back to Moonstruck. The story is Loretta is engaged to Johnny Cammareri, but Johnny always has an excuse for why they should postpone their wedding. Part of the reason is that Johnny hasn’t spoken to his brother, Ronny, for some years. So Loretta, a stubborn Italian woman, takes it upon herself to mend their relationship. I love this film, because when it comes right down to it, Loretta shows courage to make the right choice even when it’s difficult. And because it’s Cher!
3. Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe
(image courtesy creative commons)
If Anne and Gilbert can’t make it work, no one can! Fortunately, these two are one of the most stubborn and exceptional couples that started as friends that I can think of! Overcoming obstacles like broken blackboard slates, sunken dories, runaway cows, public poetry recitals, and even scarlet fever, this couple is built to last. And even Hugh Jackman knows it!
Totally Swoon Worthy YouTube Video:
4. Vinny Gambini and Mona Lisa Vito
(image courtesy amazon.com)
Imagine you’re in Alabama. You’re loud-mouth lawyer fiance drags you from New York to defend his cousin who’s on trial for murder and you’re stuck in a motel by a train track and there’s mud pits everywhere. See, now that’s true love!
5. Nickie Ferrante and Terry McKay
(image courtesy amazon.com)
Both of them with other people. One cruise ship. One destiny. A splendid affair and plans to meet again in 6 months. But when tragedy befalls one of them, will the other’s pride forgive so they can mend their hearts? I admit it, this is the first movie that ever made me cry.
*****
What cinematic couples would you bet had lasting relationships? Who do you secretly wished lasted forever, but aren’t quite sure? My back and forth pick was Johnny Castle and Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman in Dirty Dancing. Did they stay together? I just don’t know!
The Guilty Pleasure of Trilogies
image courtesy: blogworld.com
It’s been happening for awhile. Trilogies are sweeping the nation. Whether it started with The Lord of the Rings or condensed comic book heroes made into movies: i.e. Batman, Spiderman, trilogies are taking over. Many of you have blogged about the summer hit film, The Avengers, and you know what I heard, they’re planning on making another one! Which is great, except that before they do, they have to make the third Iron Man, the second Captain America and the second Thor. Really? That’s a lot of action heroes! And yet, I know I’ll go to see them!
What is it about trilogies? Why are they so addicting? Sure there’s the need to know how the story ends, but that can’t be the only reason, can it?! Whatever the must see/must read component is, here are a few of my favorites.
Top 10 Guilty Pleasure Trilogies of All Time:
1. Indiana Jones
image courtesy hollywood.com
Let’s face it, the man has one of the coolest theme songs out there! I wish my life was cool enough to warrant its use. I also wish I got to travel as much, save so many lives, and use a whip to swing from crumbly decaying buildings once in awhile, but that point is moot. Indiana Jones is the smart woman’s action hero. He’s intelligent, physically pleasing with his strong muscly arms and crooked smile, and I bet he even smells good. What made his trilogy so successful? I think it’s the legends: We’ve got lost arks, jungles and temples of doom, and the search for the holy grail. Indiana’s quests are the quests of everyman: knowledge, adventure, and in most cases, women.
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Star Wars
image courtesy cupofzup.com
Even though they’ve created more Star Wars films, they’re still marketing them as a trilogy. But the best will always remain the original. It was cutting edge technology of its time and contained all the necessary components of a guilty pleasure film: coming of age tale, evil daddy issues, romantic interludes, wise mentor, space wars, light sabers, and wookies.
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The Lord of the Rings
image courtesy images.wikia.com/lotr
When this book series became a film trilogy, this story launched for the first time in awhile crowds of people waiting to get into the theater again. The films were so successful they released box set collections of extended cut films and people in my high school started wearing one rings around their necks! That’s a hard core trilogy.
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The Twilight Series
image courtesy tvovermind.com
Say what you will about the Twilight Series, you can’t deny it’s successful storm sweep of book sales and movie sales. To my knowledge this is where the “Team So and So” became part of pop culture. Girls and guys were wearing t-shirts with Team Edward or Team Jacob, but you never see t-shirts saying Team Han Solo or Team Luke Skywalker, and why is that?! On a purely unrelated note, my favorite t-shirt of all time might be the college TV show Felicity tee that simply says “I choose Noel.” Which, some could argue was the starting point of all this “Team _____” business. Just sayin’.
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The Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy
image courtesy katybooks.com
If we’re recognizing Twilight, then you need it’s equally successful fan fiction spin off turned bestselling BDSM love story! Now that’s am impressive feat! Moms around the world, (including Marcia Richards’ mom – can you believe that?) are picking up Fifty Shades and falling in love with control freak Christian Grey and naïve little Ana Steele. Have you checked out this new risque series? Stay tuned for a co-review on the whole she-bang (pun intended) by Marcia Richards and I later this month.
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Anne of Green Gables
image courtesy lmm-anne.net
Ok, things were getting steamy in here, and some of you I already know left me to go read Fifty Shades again, but we’re cooling things down a notch with the Anne of Green Gables trilogy, film versions consisting of Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, and Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story. If you’re going to make the third movie years after the other two, then this is how you do it, with the same actors, same character antics, and a happily ever after. Jonathan Crombie, I will always love you! And Anne, don’t ever stop writing!
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The Hunger Games
image courtesy: csmonitor.com
Expect greatness from the newly released first movie, but the books are certainly taking over. Heck, they’ve become required reading in some schools! Can you believe that? Move over Lord of the Flies and Animal Farm, Teacher’s got a new toy! What’s your prediction on the number of Katniss Everdeen’s who trick or treat at your house this year?
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X-Men
image courtesy: xmenmovies.wikia.com
While the X-Men films aren’t particularly my favorite, I was a routine watcher of the cartoon after school and therefore had to partake. Whatever lacked in the second film, was made up in the third, X-Men: Last Stand. And the special effects did let us get to glimpse all our favorite mutants! Except one, where was Gambit? Was I alone in missing my mischievous french/cajun with the gambling problem?
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The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy
image courtesy: greatnewmovies.com
I haven’t gotten to this trilogy yet myself, but it’s one more of the recent releases to have been adapted into film, and even Oscar nominated. It’s a regular title appearing on mens and women’s bookshelves and if you’ve read it, I’d love to hear your opinion!
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Jurassic Park
image courtesy: collider.com
Saving the best for last, a total guilty pleasure favorite of mine, I wholeheartedly and unabashedly LOVE the entire Jurassic Park trilogy! Something about dinosaurs makes me feel like a kid again, even when I’m watching them chase down and devour other people. *insert childlike chuckle* This trilogy was amazing for its special effects, bringing dinosaurs to life again and if Spielberg ever does make the fabled fourth film, I’m totally going to see it. P.S. My useless knowledge for Jurassic Park trilogy information won me a free shot at a game of trivia in South Korea! How random, you say? More like, how awesome!
Those are my top 10 guilty pleasure trilogies of all time. What’s on your list? Did I miss any crucial 3 parters? What’s your favorite one? And of that trilogy, do you have a favorite film/book in the series? AND, what trilogy character would you dress up as for Halloween if you weren’t responsible for making the costume yourself?
Pitching and Mooning!
Anne tells Gilbert the "what's what" when it concerns her writing.
Happy New Year! Being the sentimental schlub that I am, I spent the afternoon watching a favorite film that tells the story of another redheaded writer. When I was young, I wanted to be Anne Shirley, the title character of the films Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea. You would have often heard me making up new names for myself (“You can call me Cordelia”), reciting dramatic readings of poetry in the living room, and living up to the full potential of the stereotyped misgivings of a redhead. Anne, with an E, just may be my writing heroine. She is an extremely bright and witty young woman who can talk people into giving her the benefit of the doubt, just enough time to dazzle them with her talents. This film is one of my favorite guilty pleasures to remind myself that it’s ok to fail. Anne makes mistakes, but she also makes the best apologies. She writes terrible over the top romance stories before she finds her own and writes about the people she truly loves. A very happy six hours spent.
And along with so many others out there reexamining their lives, I too, dug out my bin of old journals to review resolutions and stories from new years of the past. To my surprise, my resolutions hadn’t changed a bit. Every year it looked like this.
- Act healthier. Excercise, eat better.
- Save more money.
- Take a vacation.
- Write more everything.
So, if anything, this blogging community and all the writer’s in the craft books I’ve been reading have said you’ve got to give yourself realistic set goals. So I’m making plans.
- Act healthier. 3 times a week, at least 10 minutes, excercise. Or take a walk outside.
- Make a specific dollar amount to save for the month. Deposit said amount in savings each month.
- Take a vacation. Joe and I are already thinking of going to Canada. I know, why? But why not?
- Write more everything. This is where I’m really focusing my time. I am enrolling in a writer’s workshop this April. I am going to write everyday. And am actively reading up on the craft of writing and seeking out writer’s groups, book discussions, etc.
What are your new year’s resolutions? And what guilty pleasures did you celebrate on new year’s eve?
Jess Witkins' Happiness Project 