Scotland. What Else?

So I was just watching Louis Oosthuizen accepting the cup at the British Open at St. Andrews... and I am so bummed it's over! It's been on all weekend (DVR'd of course. I don't know about you but I'm not getting up at 4:30 AM to watch golf) and I've loved seeing and hearing so much Scotland!

Christie asked about the new background. It probably is just temporary but I am lucky enough to have a friend named Hugh from Scotland who takes pictures for me when he goes on holiday...and he took this one on his trip to Glencoe. And those appear to be lights along the loch (they aren't showing up on my screen; web design is an odd thing).

Here are Tom and I at St. Andrews in 2000 for the British Open. This was one of the greatest days of his life. Right up there with our wedding and the birth of his children. The man loves golf... and the man loves Scotland.  That's a rain jacket I'm holding...you know... for "just in case". It was surprisingly sunny on our trip and Tom was annoyed. ANNOYED! He wanted rain! He wanted mist! He wanted chilly conditions - and the powers that be dared to give us sunshine! In Scotland!!

Lallybroch.. Lallybroch.. Oh Lally Lallybroch..

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read the first few chapters of Part 5 in OUTLANDER or CROSS STICH.

Strap yourselves in, lassies. This is a long one. And I've already cut it down. Lorddddd the Gathering. 

Let me start by saying that I am enjoying Lallybroch soooo much more this time around - and I've only been there 3 days. So that says something, right? But now that I've done it twice, I can honestly say what bugged me the last time; and is still bugging me today.

I really don't like the ARRIVAL at Lallybroch at all. Maybe it's because the story is in first person - and I read it as if I'm Claire. And certain things offend me. And yet what offends me doesn't seem to bother Claire in the least.

(Interesting side note; the dogs. Claire thinks there are 12 at first - only to realize there are 4 - once they've calmed down and their tails start to wag. And it signifies a prelude, if you will... a sign of things to come. Seemingly rabid dogs outside the house; one seemingly rabid dogs inside the house. Appearing larger than life - but really just standing barely five feet tall. And this dog's name is Jenny.)

OK so let me get on with it.... here's what truly irks me:  I don't like the fight. I dinna like it at all. I get the fact that they can't just walk in and hug Jenny and all will be right with the world. I get that. When Jamie left - some years ago - he was dragged out and Jenny was about to be raped in the house. That's traumatic any way you slice it - so of course there is going to have to be some type of drama when the prodigal son finally arrives back home again. But the fight? It goes on way too long. Jamie's not stupid.  He should have figured out that Jenny has not spawned with Satan long before he did. The miscommunication factor seems almost like it's right out of Three's Company. I'm half-expecting Jack Tripper to show up and fall over something - while Chrissy's hiding behind the couch and Janet's standing there, wide eyed. The fight just drags.  LIKE THE GATHERING! Lorddddd the Gathering!!

Was it great when Jenny grabbed Jamie's junk? Absolutely hilarious (although slightly unnerving). Do we see how feisty and intense they both are? Yes. Do we see how much they love each other? Yes. To the point where we half expect them to start making out like Greg and Marcia in the Brady Bunch Movie... but yes, we do see how much they love each other.

So. Here is how I think the whole thing COULD have gone down:

Jenny: Jamie!
Jamie: Jenny!
Jenny: I'm so glad you're home!
Jamie: You're with child ya harlot daughter of a wee bitch!
Jenny: Oh, SHUT IT, Jamie! I married your friend Ian while you were gone! Both kids are his! Randall didna lay a hand on me because he's not into vajayjay. It's all good!
Jamie: Get OUT?!  That's awesome Jenny. Now let me introduce ye to me new bride, Claire. Fine lookin' sassenach wench, is she not? Sassenach, please FORGIVE ME for leaving ye standing there.
Claire: Oh no worries, Jamie. Jenny, it's nice to meet you. May I have a new dress, some shoes, a handful of bannocks and a comb? And if it's not too much trouble, maybe some L'Heure Bleu? 
Jamie: (whispering under his breath) Claire, ye left your own time, lass.
Claire: Oh right, sorry! Just the comb would be fine.
Jenny: Oh absolutely! Claire, it's lovely to meet ye. I always knew Jamie would find a good woman one day...

But instead, we have to go through ten or so rounds of tiring - although hilarious - insults between Jenny and Jamie. And yes, yes, I get it... we have to see how tumultuous their relationship is, yet how much they love each other. But....and this is a big BUT...

They just leave Claire standing there! For a LONG time! In her dirty clothes! And no shoes! To the point where she takes herself outside and wanders around! I would be MORTIFIED!! Hell the DOGS were more welcoming for god's sake! Jenny's mad - I get it. Jamie's mad - I get it. But COME ON, MAN! She just gave up her husband - hot baths - and everything she knows for YOU, Jamie! Any sane woman would need a little more reassurance that she did the right thing! She is extremely important - and you just leave her standing there while you're being a complete MORON! Hell, my FIVE YEAR OLD can tell that Jenny didn't have a baby with JACK RANDALL!!  WAKE UP! And Diana even says at one point that Jamie seems to have forgotten Claire is even there! I just canna stand for it. I won't... I canna be gentle about my negative feelings about this scene. 

And then - even the next day - it's still uncomfortable. We never see Jenny be welcoming to Claire. We never see Jenny truly welcome Claire into her home. We just see her yell at Jamie and yell at Ian walk in on Claire and Jamie... and sit there and make small talk with Claire. (Which is brills, by the way. I love how Diana shows you what each is saying - and what each really means. You can FEEL the awkwardness in that scene. It gives me chills and brings back memories of meeting boyfriends' families back in the day.)

One thing I absolutely loved the 2nd time around - and Tracey will appreciate this - is the scene where Jamie tells Claire that he married her for love. I didn't understand the first time I read it that he's saying he immediately loved the touch of her hands and the feel of her against him... and it was dark... so he didn't know what her face looked like... but it COULD HAVE looked like a sheep's for all he cared because the rest of her was so fine. Don't get me wrong - I'm not a moron. The first time I read it, I KNEW he was just being a wiseguy while telling her how much he loved her from the beginning. But I thought he was saying her face DID look like a sheep's...not that I thought he meant it... and... I dunno... I was just put off by it. I guess I kindof felt like "Geez this poor woman shows up at this house - gets a less-than-stellar welcome and basically has to fend for herself with the high-strung sister since Jamie's gone all day - and then when they DO get together, he quasi-insults her by being cute. BUT - now that I've read it again - and read it correctly - I totally get it. Thank god for the reread!

Gung Haggis Fat Choy

I. Love. This. Guy. "Toddish McWong" - aka Todd Wong - a Chinese fellow from Vancouver who found his love of all things Scottish when he was attending one SIMON FRASER University. Some day I will attend his annual Gung Haggis Fat Choy celebration which is in honor of both Chinese New Year - and Robert Burns' birthday. The actual saying is "Gung Hei Fat Choy" (or Kung Kei Fat Choi - or any number of other spellings) which means Happy Chinese New Year. Clever fellow... no? Watch here as he gives his own rap version of an  "Address Tae The Haggis". Then check out his blog, too!

Outlander ReRead Videos!

British Open at St. Andrews this Weekend!

Sassenachs, GET YOUR ARSES over to the GOLF CHANNEL because the British Open is being held at St. Andrews this weekend and they are already giving plenty of interviews and video of Scotland.
I was just listening to Jimmy Reid - a caddy from Scotland - and his accent was like heaven to my ears.

The British Open rotates among five courses... so it is played at St. Andrews every five years. I was lucky enough to be there in 2000 and have every intention of getting back there again.

*Thanks to PolKandMagazine.com for the photo.

What Happened at the Cottage?!

Ok DON'T ANSWER THAT. Because I'm about to listen s'more (mmmmm...smores - said like Homer Simpson) and find out what happens next. What am I talking about? Well here is my comment from the last post that will explain it to you:

OMG - I am having issues with the audio right friggin now. I just sat through the "Claire almost burning at the stake" scene - and finally got to what I thought was going to be Jamie and Claire nirvana at the cottage after she told him she stayed - only to hear about them crying - sleeping - crying - sleeping - and riding off on a horse. I had to run and get my Kindle to confirm because I thought my iPod skipped ahead. Where's the sex? Where's the "I canna live without you?" Where's the profession of love?? Did I make this up in my head?!? 

I am hoping this is one of those times where Diana skips to the next part of the story - but then goes back and explains what happened in the past - because I can't BELIEVE I made up an amazing scene at the cottage that never happened?!  Didn't they tell each other they loved each other right after Claire decided to stay in the 18th century? (DON'T ANSWER THAT) I am really perplexed and confused. I guess I'm mixing it up with the end of Dragonfly?? Oh who KNOWS!

The Most Beautiful Song on the Planet

You must read this commentary from Diana on Compuserve - and then make sure you listen to the song. 

Put it this way... this was Tracey's email to me last night about it:

"Holy effing lord. Go here and click the link. And have tissues ready."

US rule could keep Iroquois from lacrosse tourney - NYPOST.com

US rule could keep Iroquois from lacrosse tourney - NYPOST.com

Wow. Thought you all might want to read about this.

My Outlander Bracelet

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read VOYAGER. 

I have to throw a supermassive THANK YOU out to my cousin, Jenn D. for giving me one of the greatest gifts I have ever received in my life.





Remember my post about the Outlander bracelet, made by MaryFaithPeace over at Etsy?  Well my cousin Jennifer promptly ORDERED ONE for me - and I love her to pieces for it.

The bracelet has the most beautiful charms - all having to do with the Outlander series in one way or another. In the photo I took (of my own left wrist... which was none-too-easy!) you can see a strawberry... a whiskey cask... a wine glass... a dragonfly... a snake... and a syringe, like the one Claire used to stick Jamie in the rear when he was dying of infection after Leghair shot him. Can you believe it? It's STUNNING!!!  I can't tell you how much I love wearing it. Get one for yourself!

Redeeming Qualities

First off - if you commented in the "What Did They Know" post, please go check out my comments. I just spent like 5 million centuries replying - to the point where Google almost shut me down for my lengthy response - and I'd hate it if no one even saw my replies! Sorry I'm a few days late. I just got a new computer (yey me! I love you, Apple!) and it's been a busy few days (Tracey was here over the weekend! More on that in a few...)

OK so I had to share a little story. Thanks to Melissa for reminding me. We've been discussing Dougal lately... and Melissa made the comment "how bad is he? How good is he?" And it got me thinking about a little online commentary I had some years ago with one of the greatest actors on the planet (who happens to be born and raised in Scotland) Dougray Scott. I was taking part in a chat a few days after Mission Impossible II came out... and he was talking about his character, Sean Ambrose.... and how every character has some "redeeming qualities". Well - if you've ever seen Mission Impossible II,  you'll know that if Sean Ambrose has any redeeming qualities, we certainly NEVER SEE THEM in the film. So of course, big mouth that I am, and not one to feel it necessary to walk on eggshells around a Hollywood actor in order to spare his feelings, I pipe up and say: "What redeeming qualities does Sean Ambrose have??"  to which Mr. Scott replies "I knew SOMEONE was going to ask that" or something of that nature. He then went on to throw out an answer which I forget at this point... most likely because I disagreed with it entirely. LOL Now let me be perfectly clear; I LOVES me some Dougray Scott. He is one of the most fantastic actors of our generation and he's married to that gorgeous creature, Claire Forlani. He can play the most ridiculously amazing range of characters I've ever seen. I won't wax on (much longer) but let me say this - if you have any interest in his career - rent "Twin Town", "Enigma",  "Ever After" and "Ripley's Game" to see what I'm talking about. Oh and "The Truth About Love" - totally cute chick flick (although my husband thought it was cute, too). Skip "Dark Water" and his stint on "Desperate Housewives" - not because he wasn't good - but because his accent wasn't stellar in either. Dougray Scott is one of those actors like Gerard Butler: FOR GOD'S SAKE let them use their HEAVENLY SCOTS ACCENTS!  It should be a crime, punishable by law for any Hollywood mogul to allow otherwise.  At the very least, limit them to English if not Scottish. But not American (or snooty English like in D. H.) LORDDDDDD DO NOT let them use American accents. NO ONE wants to hear that - whether they do a good one or not! Let them speak Scots.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Oops. No, it isn't. One more thing.... Dougray Scott is on my short list to play Dougal, y'all. And that's a very SHORT list. Check this out: