The Proclaimers

I have to link to a cool little "Where Are They Now?" blurb  I just came across about The Proclaimers on TMZ.

Tracey and I have debated whether their song "500 Miles" should be added to the Playlist since a) they are BEYOND Scottish and b) the song is about a guy who would go to any lengths for his girl, which reminded us of yon Jamie Fraser of the House of Lovat.

I have resisted adding them until now... thinking their sound might be a little too modern day... but I canna help it, Sassenachs; I just love the song. And hey - I added Travis, didn't I??

Just because...

My husband left this in the kitchen... and before I told him to "put that hat away!" I had to snap a picture... just because. How many times have I hung at the Scots in Kearny and thought nothing of it? My how Jamie Fraser can change one's life!

Ladies of Lallybroch

Just have to make sure I mention the Ladies of Lallybroch website. I come across it periodically when I'm searching for specific Outlander series info. Today I stumbled upon this awesome section on their site where this Scottish fellow recorded himself saying different lines from Outlander. My sister Tracey made me ask my friend Hugh (from Scotland) to do this to which he replied "I wouldn't even know how to make an MP3 file" - or something of that nature. (Perhaps this was preceeded by an "Och!" I'm not really sure. Some things are lost in translation where email is concerned, aye?)

What really sucks is that I canna truly research the site, because I'm terrified of spoilers! So I just come upon it - peek a little - then quickly close it. I feel I owe these wonderful women a "Thank you" because I can tell the site is really awesome - even if I can't let myself properly peruse it!

I also have to throw out some props to the Ladies of Lallybroch because they are mentioned by Diana Gabaldon, herself... in The Outlandish Companion. Does it get any better than that? Maybe my Julie and Julia post was wrong. Maybe Miss Diana wouldn't totally loathe my site; maybe she'd just think  it was a little silly. And I could TOTALLY live with that.

Starting The Fiery Cross

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read Chapter 1 of The Fiery Cross.  (I think it's Chapter 1. I just got a new Kindle and don't want to search too hard to see what Chapter I'm on, for fear I'll lose my place. I'm still getting used to it, aye?)

Just sent the following email to my sister, who has also recently started book 5:

So far I'm a little "ahh... whatever" at Bree with all the sudden acting and speaking like she was born in 18th century Scotland. She made some comment that sounded like Jamie - and Claire addressed it immediately and said "Bree is just like her father and has picked up the language" or something that effect (as if they're not speaking English; it wasn't even Gaelic) but it's just... bothering me. I guess maybe I'll change my mind as I get further into it? They are walking back from the meeting with the soldiers and carrying the two babes (another thing on my nerves; Bree has gone from a young college girl to a mother with a babe on her hip, fixin' up the evenin' stew - in about 30 seconds) and Jamie is drilling Roger about the priest  and just found out he's a Protestant.

And how did this marriage between Duncan and Jocasta come about so abruptly? And Jamie isn't a tad bit worried? I know they're friends... but still. Are we to believe it was brewing for some time, only we didn't know about it?

Diana, Stephenie and Carol

Just finished watching "Julie and Julia", the movie about the woman who blogged about spending one year cooking every recipe from Julia Child's cookbook.

I wish I could say "Wow, that was so inspirational!"  But all it really did was remind me that Diana Gabaldon and Stephenie Meyer would probably be like "Um, yeah, whatever" if they ever saw my blogs. Especially Stephenie, since there are like 40 million blogs about the Twilight series. And Diana... well Diana has degrees in Zoology, Marine Biology and Ecology. Something tells me she's not going to look highly on a blog that obsesses over Jamie Fraser's mojo... and uses words like "shizzle".

I know, I know, that sounds really negative. But Julia Child, herself was like "Um, yeah, whatever" when she found out about Julie's blog. I have to be realistic, ya know?

On the positive side, Julie published a book about her blog - which was later made into the movie I just watched. And before all of that, she seemed to be happy, just cooking and blogging. Kindof like me... only I'm just reading and blogging, right?

So the moral of the story? The moral is that I should keep writing my blogs... because they make me happy. Being a Twilight/Outlander fan makes me happy. Meeting with my friends and talking about these books makes me happy. And isn't that what's important?

Yeah. I think it is. That... and Jamie Fraser's kilts and his big... hard... um, dirk (it's a knife, geez!)  And Edward Cullen's big, iron bed. That he doesn't even need.... the one with the flowers... that Bella doesn't even WANT to sleep on, because she's a FREAK!

Yeah... I love my blogs. :)

The Outlandish Companion

OK so my sister/mentor got me "The Outlandish Companion" for my birthday and WOW is it good. I am learning verra cool things, for instance:

Diana Gabaldon got her internet start the same way I did, with a little thing called CompuServe. My first ever "handle" online was something like 7432333366789@compuserve.net. That was around 1994/1995. Meanwhile Diana was on Compuserve in the late 80s, sharing her early works with others on a literary forum (Jenny explaining what it feels like to be pregnant to Jamie, precisely).

Jamie Fraser is a Taurus with a Cancer moon, which, if you know anything about astrology, is spot on for this man. Which is REALLY interesting because DG didn't write him with that in mind; she didn't even do his chart. A fan wrote to her, asking for Jamie's birthday, so she could do his chart. How COOL is that???  The best way I can explain to any of you who don't know anything about astrology is this: The sign you know you are is your "sun" sign.  What you might not know is you have other signs that dictate your personality, a very important one being your "moon" sign. My moon sign is Pisces - the fish - which is a water sign. I like to say that your sun sign has to do with the way you think - and deal with things, whereas your moon sign dictates the way you feel - and deal with relationships. (I am no expert so please do not quote me on any of this!) The fact that I'm a Pisces moon means it is verra good that I live near the ocean; it's calming and keeps me feeling peaceful. WHY am I going into all this? Because Jamie Fraser is a Taurus - the bull - which makes him stubborn and tough when dealing with things like building... or supervising, etc. But he's a cancer moon, which is a very touchy-feely kind of sign and that's why he's so sweet with Claire. And even horses when he's all "aye sweetheart look at that fine round arse".

There was something else I wanted to mention.. but I forgot what it was because I've been so excited about this book. And I couldn't bring myself to dog ear the bottom of the page where I found it, because this book is so spectacularly gorgeous, I don't want to desecrate it in any way.

More to follow. Much more to follow!

Daniel Cudmore as Jamie Fraser?

Jenn M. brought up a good point the other day... and I feel I have to look into it further. She suggested Daniel Cudmore - aka Felix from New Moon - for Jamie Fraser in the Outlander movie. At first I thought "He's OK - yeah he's big but I dunno..." But the more photos I see of this 6'5" fellow, the more I'm thinking she's right. If he could do a Scottish accent, that is. Let's review. He's HUGE for one thing. He's got a straight enough nose. He's got this interesting dark auburn hair that has decent red glints in the sun... (see the middle photo) and I've even seen him with reddish brown (ruddy?) stubble - again, in the sun. I'm thinking he is definitely on the short list. What do you think?

Frank, Roger and Ian

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you've finished Drums of Autumn.

Another email with my mentor and Jenn M. Jenn finished Drums today...

Not only did I think Frank is even more of a douche than I thought to begin with... BUT... I can now finally say this to both of you: Did you pick up on the reincarnation reference? FRANK IS JACK RANDALL. I have no doubt in my mind. Jamie fucked him in the end.  That's why Jamie's ghost shook his head at Frank and looked at him like he hated him. I just have to wonder who Jamie became - if anyone. I always thought maybe Roger... but I don't know if he'd be able to go back in time and hang out with himself. LOL

I was upset with Roger when he didn't go right back with them, Jenn. I kindof thought "FUCK HIM - she was RAPED! If you LOVED her, you'd want to BE BY HER SIDE". He came down a notch in my mind when he did that. It's like Jamie said - did Claire mind when Randall raped him? Hell NO! She loved him and wanted to help him. I was OK with Roger when he finally showed up though - because, like he said, he showed up. He came back. He didn't leave. And that's what's important.

I am still grieving Ian. I am heartbroken still. I thought of him today and had a pang of "oh god, Ian!" I think they let him down. I really do. I know Ian's probably happy enough with those people and always wanted adventure and a thrill - but he didn't have to get it THAT way. Jenny and Ian are going to flip the hell out, too. Ian asked Jamie to keep Ian there in the US so he'd be safe... and instead he was somewhat fed right into the lion's den. They will be wishing they let him stay and fight in Scotland. Maybe that's why the next book is called "The Fiery Cross". Maybe Jenny and Ian are coming over.

Amusing Email

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you've read MOST of Drums of Autumn: 

This is an email I sent my sister Tracey,  and my sister-in-Outlander Jenn M today - and Tracey wants me to post it. Here ya go:

Are you kidding? Tom told me he was going out tonight and my very first thought was "YES! I can READ!" My second thought was "Oh shit, we're not starting until 2010." My third thought was "Damn Amazon! WHERE is that freakin BOOK?!?" I should have gotten it today. I am NOT happy. Then again - I ordered the $7.99 version so it will probably be the teeny book. I have to have the bigger one to go with my collection, but I might have to keep this one just in case I get restless. I seriously don't know what this will be about, other than life on Frazer's Ridge...

PS - Jenn - we have to discuss Lord John more. Tracey and I had a big, ol' conversation about him yesterday and how we'd love to be his "hags". Once we saw him come out of the slave quarters and start sharing about having feelings for Bree's da, I saw him in a whole new light. It's as if he jumped off the page, sporting cut-off daisy dukes and a sleeveless, hot-pink, midriff-baring tank that said "I Love Liberace" on the front. I now love him.

When it comes time to die...

"When it comes time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home."        

~ Chief Aupumut, Mohican. 1725

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have finished DRUMS OF AUTUMN. 

So I've just finished DRUMS OF AUTUMN. Wow. I don't even know where to begin. I had a terrible time with Ian joining the Mohawk tribe. I don't mean a "got a little bummed" hard time. I mean a "called my mentor at 10:30 PM, sobbing profusely" hard time.  I just have to say it; WTF??????? Why? WHY? (screamed like Nancy Kerrigan). I don't know why that had to happen. I just know that they TATTOOED HIS FACE. I canna get past it. I try - but I canna do it. Even if he were to escape with his new little wifey and unborn child, and come back to Fraser's Ridge - and grow his hair out and dress in his plaid and breeks - WHAT THE F*CK are they going to do with his TATTOOED FACE????? Unless Claire comes across some miracle herb that will slough off the top 4 layers of his skin, what is the stupid, wee nephew going to DO with that FACE???  NOTHING! That's what he'll do! Because he's NEVER COMING BACK!!!!! It was like a death to me. Sitting there... reading it... suspecting Ian would offer to stay... but never, EVER expecting James Alexander Malcom Mackenzie Fraser to LET HIS WEE ASS do it. But when he walked in all mohawked-out and TATTOOED - I knew that was it. That was the end of Ian. Even if we see him in the future - warning them - helping them - visiting them - FIGHTING AGAINST them... he's NOT IAN MURRAY anymore. He's Brother of Wolf or whatever the hell they're calling him. And I'm pissed off. OH YESSIR I am PISSED. OFF. He's been nothing but good to these people. He's helped in every instance he's been asked to help. He's gone out of his way time and time again to do for others and never asked for SHIT in return. The boy was RAPED by Geillis Duncan for christsake!!!! And what does he get for it? I'll tell you what he got for it: THEY TATTOOED HIS MOTHER FRIGGIN FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK I'm just going to move on to more pleasant topics before I lose my shiz and have to go lie down. (Did I mention my FIVE YEAR OLD'S name is IAN??? No, I bet I didn't. Find a happy place. Find a happy place.)

Moving on... I have done a complete and utter 180 on Lord John Grey. Ho. Ly. Cow. I love him now. My mentor kept telling me this would happen - but I didn't know how. It's not that I didna believe - I did. But I just couldn't see how I was going to take a liking to that pompous, arrogant, Claire-I'm-in-love-with-your-husband-and-there's-nothing-you-can-do-about-it ASS John Grey. God even now I think about Jamie embracing him and saying "Oh John" and my skin crawls. But....BUT... this was before. Before he helped Bree... before he shared his feelings with her... and BEFORE BOYFRIEND VISITED THE SLAVE QUARTERS FOR A LITTLE SUMP'IN SUMP'IN!!!  I LOVED that. Once he did that - and told Bree he digs her dad's scene....well, then all bets were off. SHE'S A BIG, FAT QUEEN named JOHN GREY and I love her!!! Tell me you couldn't be best girlfriends with Lord John??? Once I saw him in that light - I wasn't threatened by him anymore. All I wanted to do was hug him - discuss our Prada pieces and visit the Lancome counter!!! Seriously - I've said it before, I'll say it again: The best girlfriend you'll ever have is a gay man. Doesn't matter how masculine he is, either. My friend, Dave was on his local fire department and loves Mustangs. And yet he can tap into my feelings better than anyone I've ever met. THAT is what I needed from Lord John... and THAT is what I got. So kudos to the almighty DG for giving us that gift; I really needed it.

I canna give a complete reassessment of the entire novel; it is too lengthy and detailed. But I can tell you how I feel about it. LOVED IT. And I can also tell you that I still canna pick a favorite. I'm 4 in now - only have 3 left to be current - and am so thrilled that I love them all for different reasons.  Sure I suppose if I had to choose, I'd say Outlander will always be my favorite (you never forget your 1st) but each book is just so good - for entirely separate reasons. What I loved about this was in the earlier part of the book, it was so magical to watch Claire and Jamie relate to each other and fall in love all over again, really. They have such respect for each other and I think that's what makes their relationship so profound. I loved reading about Bree and Roger, though, and I really never expected to. There was a time or two, earlier on in Drums, where I'd actually get annoyed when the story went back to Jamie and Claire. ANNOYED! About JAMIE! That's how I knew I'd be OK with the story evolving into a family story - and not just a love story between two people. But please, oh please, DG, please keep the hot-and-heavy scenes coming with Jamie and Claire. I don't care that they've got a AARP cards up on the Ridge - they're still HOT!!!

OK that's all. I'm exhausted. And I need to go check Amazon and see where the freak "The Fiery Cross" is!!!