There is an ancient art of looking into the tea leaves. It creates a change of perspective and the ability to look at things a different way. While the mystical history stems from studies more connected to the earth, it can also spark a new sense of creativity. If you approach something from a different angle, entire new worlds and thoughts have the possibility to come into your existence.
If you feel so inclined, take a look at the leaves below, and post in the comments what you see. It can be a story you made up, a bit from a TV show/movie, etc, or just post whatever comes to mind (please keep it clean and civil).
St. Patrick’s Day is near, when the world unites in all things Irish. Sure, the story of St. Patrick is littered with miraculous imagery to possibly cover over a gruesome part of old Ireland’s earthen history. BUT, the way people today share, cook, and toast to one another’s health, wealth, and happiness has added a new spirit to the day.
Here are some Geeky Irish Blessings created for you. Enjoy! Hopefully, there will be time to come up with some more.
I’ve never viewed Doctor Who as a science fiction story. A person can drive himself mad trying to see the science in the fiction and the connections in the timeline. Within the wibbley wobbley universe created, there is a tangible hope that each episodic glimpse breathes more life into the fairy tale character, and the desire to have it come closer into our individual lives.
We are on the edge of our seats, we hold our breath, we don’t blink…
How has the story of Doctor Who influenced your life?
There is an ancient art of looking into the tea leaves. It creates a change of perspective and the ability to look at things a different way. While the mystical history stems from studies more connected to the earth, it can also spark a new sense of creativity. If you approach something from a different angle, entire new worlds and thoughts have the possibility to come into your existence.
If you feel so inclined, take a look at the leaves below, and post in the comments what you see. It can be a story you made up, a bit from a TV show/movie, etc, or just post whatever comes to mind (please keep it clean and civil).
There are a multitude of theories running around regarding who Clara Oswin Osward is. Everything from the “granddaughter” Susan to the Time Lord Romana, and Jenny as the Doctor’s test-tube daughter to an early regeneration of River Song. They are each plausible in the Doctor Who fairytale, and it’s amazing what that team of writers can do.
The River Song regeneration could be plausible as she mentioned being an “impressionable young girl” when she first meets the Doctor. Depending on a definition of “young”, that could have been Mel in Let’s Kill Hitler, but at that time, Mel was far from “impressionable” in the traditional sense. There’s also the issue that River’s regenerations bring around a new body, while Clara has been the same character twice. In a Steven Moffat-esque twist, this might still work. In the same episode, Amy mentions to River “Apparently you used all your remaining regenerations in one go. You shouldn’t have done that.” Perhaps as the normal regeneration process was interrupted, but she still retains some of the attributes. Maybe she’s now getting multiple 1UP’s. Same body, but having to continually take the slow route.
Amongst the guesswork, the hat should be thrown in that Clara Oswin Osward might be the legitimate daughter of the Doctor and River Song. To put it bluntly, they had to have had a few adventures together alone after they had been married. *nudge*nudge*wink*wink*
What’s the thrill and excitement in being predictable, anyways?
The TARDIS always takes the Doctor where he’s needed. Perhaps the TARDIS recognizes Clara, knows that the Doctor needs someone with him, and takes the initiative to bring the two of them together. With a mix of Time Lord DNA and human DNA with TARDIS blessings, the outcome could be a person that lives and dies, but retaining the same genetic codes. Almost like a reincarnation, complete with a simple mind wipe of the previous life (she obviously doesn’t recognize the Doctor in Asylum of the Daleks). Born on November 23, which is the date when the first Doctor Who episode was broadcast. A new life created on the birthday of the show?
Regarding the flirt and fascination with each other, it’s obvious that something’s pulling the Doctor and Clara together. It seems possible for an oddball twist reminiscent of the Star Wars Luke & Leia flirt-and-kiss before they knew that they were related.
Depending on how long Clara is planned to be a companion, the show could have lots of play time to build up the suspense of who Clara is. Sure, it would be a corny ending to the hype, but it also holds a much more emotional tie that could only be compared to the moment when we discovered that River Song was Amy and Rory’s daughter.
Besides, with Clara’s wit and feisty spirit, a “Hello Dad” could be delivered with the same enthusiasm as “Hello Sweetie”.
The name itself, Clara Oswin Oswald, seems like a brilliant search for anagrams. It’d be a shame if there wasn’t some kind of hint in there somewhere. Aside from some interesting words, “snow” does appear in it.
We inch closer day by day to the season premier of Doctor Who on March 30. I’m sure that the writers aren’t going to be letting us down. It’s going to be an intense roller coaster ride of adventure and emotion, and we can’t wait.
AN ADVENTURE IN SPACE AND TIME TO MARK THE DOCTOR’S 50th BIRTHDAY
The BBC today announces that a special BBC TWO drama has been commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who.
An Adventure in Space and Time will tell the story of the genesis of Doctor Who since its first broadcast on 23 November 1963. Exploring all aspects of the longest running science fiction series to date, the special one off 90 minute drama will also look at the many personalities involved in bringing the series to life.
Written by Mark Gatiss, it is Executive Produced by current Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner. The single drama was commissioned by Ben Stephenson Controller, Drama and Janice Hadlow, Controller of BBC TWO.
Mark Gatiss, Writer, said:
“This is the story of how an unlikely set of brilliant people created a true Television original. And how an actor – William Hartnell – stereotyped in hard-man roles became a hero to millions of children. I’ve wanted to tell this story this for more years than I can remember! To make it happen for ‘Doctor Who’s 50th birthday is quite simply a dream come true”.
Steven Moffat, Executive Producer, said:
“The story of Doctor Who is the story of television – so it’s fitting in the anniversary year that we make our most important journey back in time to see how the TARDIS was launched.”
***UPDATE! FEBRUARY 2013***
It’s a bit reassuring for up-and-coming filmmakers that even an established production company still tries to do a guerrilla style sequence.
Doctor Who actors
David Bradley as William Hartnell
Jamie Glover as William Russell
Jemma Powell as Jacqueline Hill
Claudia Grant as Carole Ann Ford
Reece Shearsmith as Patrick Troughton
Nicholas Briggs as Peter Hawkins
Behind-the-scenes Personnel
Brian Cox as Sydney Newman
Jessica Raine as Verity Lambert
Sacha Dhawan as Waris Hussein
Sarah Winter as Delia Derbyshire
Jeff Rawle as Mervyn Pinfield
Andrew Woodall as Rex Tucker
Ian Hallard as Richard Martin
David Annen as Peter Brachacki
International Talk Like William Shatner Day
(AKA Talk. Like. William. Shatner. Day.)
This year, ITLWS Day falls on Thursday, March 22. Thanks to Maurice LaMarche, voice actor extraordinaire, it’s official. Check out Maurice’s video below for a crash course in talking like Shat. There is a rule to this day, however. If March 22 falls on a weekend day, the holiday is automatically bumped to the following Monday for more social interaction.
Aside from that, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mr. Shatner. The world-wide-interweb is alight with glowing reviews for your recent endeavor, “Shatner’s World”, and you are, very apparently, alive and kicking.
Here are some fun Shatner quotes and lines for you to spend the day practicing on friends, family, and strangers alike.
“I am not a Starfleet commander, or T.J. Hooker. I don’t live on Starship NCC-1701, or own a phaser. And I don’t know anybody named Bones, Sulu, or Spock. And no, I’ve never had green alien sex, though I’m sure it would be quite an evening. I speak English and French, not Klingon! I drink Labatt’s, not Romulan ale! And when someone says to me ‘Live long and prosper’, I seriously mean it when I say, ‘Get a life’. My doctor’s name is not McCoy, it’s Ginsberg. And tribbles were puppets, not real animals. PUPPETS! And when I speak, I never, ever talk like every. Word. Is. Its. Own. Sentence. I live in California, but I was raised in Montreal. And yes, I’ve gone where no man has gone before, but I was in Mexico and her father gave me permission! My name is William Shatner, and I am Canadian!” IMDB Shatner Quotes
“I’m not going to have a tombstone. I’m going to be tossed in the air. Ashes, tossed like a salad.” IMDB Shatner Quotes
“Captain Kirk never burped out his lines, nor did he simply SPEAK! as IF! Every! Other! SYLlable! WAS! of DIRE! ImPORTance!” Think Exist Quotes
“We were basically one and the same, although Jim was just about perfect, and, of course, I am perfect.” Think Exist Quotes
“If you make a fool of yourself, you can do it with dignity, without taking your pants down. And if you do take your pants down, you can still do it with dignity.” Brainy Quotes
“There are certain things men must do to remain men.” 10 Ten Kirk Quotes
“I have an erection. That’s a good sign. I’m ready to go to trial. Lock and load.” IMDB Boston Legal Quotes
“I don’t know whether you know this but not many men take the time, every day, to have a cigar, glass of scotch, to talk to their best friend. That’s not something most men have.” IMDB Boston Legal Quotes
“The only thing to be scared of son is tomorrow. I don’t live for tomorrow. Never saw the fun in it.” IMDB Boston Legal Quotes
Little Amelia Pond, not scared of anything. Box falls out of the sky, man falls out of the box, man eats fish custard. Brave Amelia Pond, with one hell of a scary crack in her wall. Amelia hated apples, until her mum carved a face into one. With her mum and dad gone, little more than a memory, Amelia Pond is pretty much on her own.
When those apples started to turn, what did Amelia or her aunt do with them? Seems a shame to waste a perfectly friendly apple.
Here’s a recipe that both adults and kids can enjoy. Don’t worry, the alcohol in the rum burns off when making the glaze, leaving a delicious sweetness.
Amelia’s Apples
Ingredients
The Saucey Glaze:
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 cup Vanilla Rum (used Whaler’s brand)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• Small pinch of ground ginger
The Apples:
• 12 small to medium apples, washed, cored, and carved with smiley faces (used Honeycrisp because of the sweetness)
• 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened apple cider
For the glaze: In a medium saucepan, combine the dark brown sugar, rum, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and that small pinch of ginger. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to allow the sugar and other ingredients to blend together (sugar dissolved) and thicken slightly.
For the apples: Preheat the oven to 375F.
Line, with foil, a baking dish that is large enough to hold all of the apples. Arrange the apples in a single layer. Pour the glaze over the apples and top each with pieces of butter. Add the cider to the bottom of the dish and place it in the center of the oven.
Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes until desires tenderness. Remove and let cool.
Delicious with ice cream, whipped cream, or even custard.
It’s part punk rock; it’s part pirate; it’s all around awesome vocals and music! This band can be embraced by a range of peoples from renaissance faire lovers to accordion lovers to those who enjoy a deep European gypsy styling. It’s a band who doesn’t fail to get listeners and pub-goers up and dancing. While they do have a sound reminiscent of The Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly, these guys definitely hold their own with a unique sound and great hooks. The Facebook page reflects the genre of music as “Pub’n roll, Sailor Punk, Celtic Punk”, which brings in two interesting sub-categories that this band has nailed down (the Celtic Punk has become a world-wide known genre).
By far, the song “Pilgrim On The Road” can be set aside as one of their best tunes. Between the two albums presently released, the other songs “Brotherhood”, “Clock Strikes Midnight”, “Six Rat Rovers”, “Paddy’s Ballad”, and “Pub’n Roll” give a great feeling for the all around capabilities of the band. Paddy’s got an amazing voice which displays great passion, and the band members have an incredible grasp of their instruments which shows in the impressive sound.
Paddy and the Rats is a Hungarian band that has joined international forces to bring in some talented musicians from around Europe. Their official videos are visually stunning, and they weave interesting stories.
“Paddy & The Rats was formed by the singer-songwriter Paddy, Vince (bass) and Joey (electric guitar) in 2008. Then Seamus (drums) joined them and two authentic musicians, Sonny (accordion) and Sam (fiddle, tin whistle, banjo and bagpipe). As for their becoming rats, the six “Irish” guys say: punk is the same in music as rats among the animals – dirty and malicious, and they exactly play it. The band is combining different nations’ pub music with hot and dirty punk rock. To spice up their own songs, they use Irish pub music and Celtic features, but sometimes Russian and gypsy elements and rhythms are also present.
The band’s first album – Rats On Board – will be released in march 2010 by Nordic Records and it will be available on iTunes and Amazon. Also, Uncleowen Records is releasing it in Japan. Those listening to their music won’t definitely stay sober, because the rolling jig rhythm makes everybody dance and even jump – and get drunk! Most of the lyrics are about drinking and pub stories (Fuck You I’m Drunk, We will fight, Pub’n roll).
Last year they had more than 100 gigs, they took part in festivals in Hungary, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Slovakia and Serbia. At gigs, besides their own songs they play such Irish songs as Wild Rover or Whiskey In The Jar, sailor songs (Drunken Sailor, Bully In The Alley) and punk anthems (Sex Pistols, Green Day) with fiddle, banjo, accordion, bagpipe, whistle – and of course, a lotta rock’n’roll.
Their aim is to introduce the crowd to different kinds of pub music and pub culture… To be more precise: turn the whole world into a pub!”
MARCH 1 UPDATE: The Teaser Trailer has been released! View it at the bottom of the post!
This is the story of Frankenweenie… well, technically, the re-telling of Frankenweenie.
“Young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences.”
Before Tim Burton started in on his latest stop motion production of “Frankenweenie”, there was a previous “Frankenweenie”. Granted, the original was also done by Burton and holds the same base story, but it was
Frankenweenie - 1984
a 29 minute, black and white, live-action short that was produced by Disney. Mind you, it certainly felt much longer, especially in 1980s. The cast was decent, sporting Shelley Duvall, Daniel Stern, and Sophia Coppola, amongst a handful of others.
Not surprisingly, Disney felt that the original short was too frightening for the family themed company, and Burton was fired for wasting their money and resources on projects that they felt weren’t appropriate. As in proper corporate style, once Burton shot to fame, Disney released the short on VHS, albeit a censored version, and ran it for awhile on the Disney Channel. Eventually, it drifted off into the nothingness of forgotten Disney programming.
…But that’s all water under the gravestone, as we know Burton and Disney have had a very successful animation history together ever since “The Nightmare Before Christmas”.
Coming around 28 years later, Burton is recreating the original piece into a full length feature in his brilliant signature style. Keeping true to the original, it’s going to be in black and white, in the expected gothic undertones, but will also bring in the heartening aspects about a boy and his (reassembled & reincarnated) dog.
The cast is definitely not shy on talent, either. The script reunites Tim
Frankenweenie - 2012
Burton with Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, and brings in Martin Short, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, Atticus Shaffer, Robert Capron, and Conchata Ferrell.
Set for release on October 5, 2012.
Be sure to check out the “Frankenweenie” Facebook page HERE! to get up to date info, links to other articles, behind the scenes pictures, and other fun tid-bits.
