tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83984683410423293362024-02-19T01:01:49.800-06:00Katy KerreyYA Fantasy AuthorKThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-88477885325245417952014-12-11T08:34:00.000-06:002014-12-11T08:34:47.883-06:00SWITCHING IT UP<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Happy Thor's Day. I'm trying out a new blog format (thanks to my new critique partner Kris Atkins for the idea). If you really liked the Thor's Day Trivia, don't despair because I will still do that occasionally.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">WHAT I'M READING</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I just finished the YA contemporary <em>The Geography of You and Me</em> by Jennifer E. Smith. I don't normally read contemporary, but I was looking for an example of third person POV with lots of "feels." Thanks to Ashley Leath for the recommendation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am working on a new YA fantasy with a working title of <em>Green Eyed Monster</em>. It's about a green-eyed girl who is extremely jealous of others. It's too new to say much else.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>WHAT ELSE I'M UP TO</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I participated in #SFFPit on Twitter this week (for those of you unfamiliar with the hashtag, it is a pitching event for Sci-fi and Fantasy). My 140-character pitch got one favorite from a small press and I gained quite a few followers, so it was definitely worth it.</span>KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-45187624091944531862014-09-11T14:10:00.001-05:002014-09-11T14:10:43.738-05:00THOR'S DAY TRIVIA: SIF<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sif is a Norse goddess associated with the earth. She is also Thor's wife. She belongs to the class of newer gods known as the Aesir.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There is not much known about Sif, except for an incident when Loki </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">sneaked into her bedroom and lopped off her beautiful golden locks while she was sleeping. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Thor was furious and threatened to smash him unless Loki managed to replace the hair. Loki asked the dwarfs to create a golden headpiece as a replacement. The dwarfs agreed and made a long wave of fine golden strands which Loki gave to Sif.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Along with the headpiece, Loki had the dwarfs produce other gifts to appease the gods: Odin's <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/03/thors-day-trivia-odin.html" target="_blank">spear</a>, Freyr's ship <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/05/thors-day-trivia-freyr.html" target="_blank">Skidbladnir </a>(that can shrink to fit in his pocket), Freyr's golden bristled <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/05/thors-day-trivia-freyr.html" target="_blank">boar</a>, and the mighty <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/03/happy-thors-day.html" target="_blank">hammer</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;">for Thor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Scholars have proposed that Sif's hair may represent fields of golden wheat and that she may be associated with fertility, family, and wedlock.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: another son of Odin, Vidar</span></div>
KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-91980553276196026772014-09-04T08:22:00.000-05:002014-09-11T14:13:14.404-05:00THOR'S DAY TRIVIA: HODUR AND VALI<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hodur (HOH-der) is the Norse god of winter and darkness. He is the blind son of Odin and Baldur's twin brother, therefore he belongs to the newer class of gods known as the Aesir.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The sources do not say why Hodur is blind, but scholars suspect it may simply be a representation of darkness and winter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In the
previous post, you learned how Hodur was tricked by Loki into killing
his brother by shooting him with an arrow made of mistletoe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://salemsmoon.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/hr-and-baldr/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As a reaction to the murder, Odin fathered a son, the god of vengeance, Vali (pronounced like the English word valley). Vali grew to adulthood in one day for the sole purpose of slaying Hodur. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">So Hodur joined Baldur in the underworld, which is ruled by the death goddess, Hel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.youngthor.com/story-worlds.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">http://www.youngthor.com/story-worlds.html</span></a></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Interestingly, all three of the gods in this tragic story (Baldur, Hodur, and Vali) are among the few predicted to survive Ragnarok (the end of the world).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/09/thors-day-trivia-sif.html" target="_blank">Sif</a>, goddess of the earth and wife of Thor</span></div>
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KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-52402540978711238672014-08-28T06:52:00.000-05:002014-09-04T08:58:17.144-05:00THOR'S DAY TRIVIA: BALDUR THE BEAUTIFUL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Norse god, Baldur (BALD-er) was so</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> handsome, gracious, and cheerful that he actually gave off light. Baldur is the son of Odin and Frigg, therefore he belongs to the newer class of gods known as the Aesir.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Unlike the immortal Greek gods, Norse gods could and did die. The story of Baldur's death is one of the most famous and one of the most complete in Norse mythology. Here is a condensed version:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When Baldur began to have dreams of his death, Frigg went around to every living thing in the world and secured from each of them an oath not to harm her son. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Confident in Baldur’s invincibility, the gods amused themselves by throwing weapons and any random thing they could find at Baldur and watching them bounce off of him, leaving him utterly unscathed.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Loki, who was extremely jealous of Balder because he was the only god more beautiful than himself, sensed an opportunity. He inquired of Frigg whether she had overlooked anything whatsoever in her quest to obtain oaths. She casually answered that she had thought the mistletoe to be too small and harmless a thing to bother asking for such a promise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Loki straightaway made a spear from the mistletoe and convinced the blind god, Hodur, to throw it at Baldur. The projectile, guided by Loki's aim, pierced the god and he fell down dead.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.heathengods.com/library/book_sagas/sagas-03.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.heathengods.com/library/book_sagas/sagas-03.html</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The anguished Odin sent another one of his sons, Hermod, to the underworld to see if there was any way Baldur could be retrieved from the clutches of the death goddess, Hel. </span><br />
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<a href="http://bonniedetwiller.com/project/the-death-of-baldur/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://bonniedetwiller.com/project/the-death-of-baldur/</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Hermod implored the dreadful goddess to release Baldur, and after much persuasion, she replied that she would give him up, <strong>if and only if</strong> everything in the world would weep for Baldur – to prove, in other words, that he was as universally beloved as Hermod claimed.</span><br />
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<a href="http://classics-illustrated.com/asgard/asgard6part5.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://classics-illustrated.com/asgard/asgard6part5.html</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">And the whole world did indeed weep for the generous son of Odin – all, that is, except one creature: a giantess named Þökk (generally assumed to be Loki in disguise), who callously refused to perform the act that would secure Baldur’s return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And so the bright god lay in the grave until Ragnarok (the end of the world) when he will be returned </span><span style="font-size: large;">at last to the land of the living, gladdening the hearts of the creatures who fill the new world.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>By the way, the engineering of Baldur's death was the final straw for Loki, but that is a story for another day.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: The blind god, <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/09/thors-day-trivia-hodur-and-vali.html" target="_blank">Hodur</a></span>KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-42348223921453378242014-08-14T08:52:00.001-05:002014-08-28T06:54:39.648-05:00THOR'S DAY TRIVIA: FORSETI<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's Thor's Day once again and that means some more trivia about the Norse pantheon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Forseti (FOR-set-tee) is the Norse god of justice and mediation. Forseti is a grandson of Odin so he is a member of the newer class of gods known as the Aesir. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Forseti is one of the “younger” gods of the Norse pantheon, and it is telling that he is the son of one of the most famous murder victims in its history (Forseti's father, Baldur, was killed in a plot orchestrated by the trickster god, Loki). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Unlike the older gods, who embraced vengeance, Forseti turned to fair mediation in spite of his family history.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As a lawmaker, he approaches wrongdoing as a complex, multilayered problem that requires humane solutions based on established laws rather than lashing out emotionally.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Folk of all kinds would come to him for mediation of their problems, and it was said that no one came away dissatisfied by Forseti’s judgments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: Forseti's father, <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/08/thors-day-trivia-baldur-beautiful.html" target="_blank">Baldur</a></span>KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-64196862988968394682014-07-10T10:54:00.002-05:002014-08-14T08:53:29.150-05:00THOR'S DAY TRIVIA: BRAGI AND IDUN<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Happy Thor's Day from the windy city. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbIY2icI9HQ7L7IhoqI43KdPXab-MUYizeBzOySRyUEeW0mbaWZatzAesKBsb6V6T7SgLwFLlP6Q4F8P0IFm-SZWTxM1C7GiF693ubkdEVmy9Jmi1DIJvnih8D0Mw5B7HCtK8hKAv_GDB/s1600/chicago-navy-pier-1309392914-781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbIY2icI9HQ7L7IhoqI43KdPXab-MUYizeBzOySRyUEeW0mbaWZatzAesKBsb6V6T7SgLwFLlP6Q4F8P0IFm-SZWTxM1C7GiF693ubkdEVmy9Jmi1DIJvnih8D0Mw5B7HCtK8hKAv_GDB/s1600/chicago-navy-pier-1309392914-781.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sadly this is NOT the view from my hotel, but I am staying only a few blocks away from the pier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">But on to the trivia.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Bragi (pronounced BRA-gee) is the Norse god of poetry. Bragi is Odin's son and a member of the newer class of gods known as the Aesir.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">He has runes carved on his tongue and regales renowned heroes upon their entrance to Valhalla (a great hall in Asgard for fallen warriors).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Bragi is married to Idun (EE-dun), the goddess of spring and rejuvenation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Idun grows the magic apples of immortality which the gods must eat to preserve their youth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Idun and her apples were once abducted by a giant, Thiazi. The gods began to suffer the effects of old age. They soon began to suspect that Loki was the mastermind. The gods threatened Loki with death so he returned Idun and her apples to Asgard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/08/thors-day-trivia-forseti.html" target="_blank">Forseti</a>, the god of justice</span></div>
KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-6070365278226481392014-06-19T10:55:00.000-05:002014-07-10T11:11:51.964-05:00THOR'S DAY TRIVIA: HEIMDALL<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Heimdall (pronounced HAME-doll) is the Norse god of light. He stands guard at the rainbow bridge, Bifrost, which connects Asgard (the home of the gods) to the world of humans. Heimdall is Odin's son and belongs to the newer class of gods known as the Aesir.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Heimdall requires less sleep than a bird and has incredibly sharp senses that allow him to see great distances even at night and to hear sounds as soft as wool growing on sheep. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://hqwide.com/fantasy-art-mythology-pagan-heimdall-wallpaper-34924/">http://hqwide.com/fantasy-art-mythology-pagan-heimdall-wallpaper-34924/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Heimdall is considered to be the father of social classes. According to legend, he traveled around the earth and stayed three nights with married couples from different social classes.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">First, he visited some serfs, then some peasants, and finally a noble couple. Nine months after each visit, a child was born to each. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The first was a strong boy named Thrall, who became the ancestor of all serfs. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The second, Karl, was skilled at farm work and became the ancestor of all peasants. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Jarl, the last of the children, was intelligent and quick to learn the skills of hunting and combat. He became the ancestor of all warriors and nobles. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The words <strong>thrall, karl, </strong>and<strong> jarl</strong> mean serf, farmer, and nobleman in the Norse language.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/072/0/6/heimdall_by_chrisappel-d3bkk19.jpg"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/072/0/6/heimdall_by_chrisappel-d3bkk19.jpg</span></a></div>
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<span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" sb_id="ms__id2480" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Heimdall is usually pictured with his golden horn, Gjallarhorn, which he will one day use to call the other gods to Ragnarok, the final battle that will result in the destruction of gods and humans. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">During the battle, Heimdall will kill the trickster god, Loki, then meet his own death.</span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/07/thors-day-trivia-bragi-and-idun.html" target="_blank">Bragi</a>, the god of poetry and his wife, <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/07/thors-day-trivia-bragi-and-idun.html" target="_blank">Idun</a></span> </div>
KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-10499542469701224642014-06-12T07:43:00.000-05:002014-06-12T07:43:34.144-05:00HAPPY THOR'S DAY<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's Thor's Day once again and I know I previously promised you some trivia on Heimdall, but I'm going to postpone that until next time.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi025jVb5TTgVq56QLp1bFfXHSR7VxmeFNcvZ6S1C2xJJMJx3H5zRpjRkvb8HEfhUG2VURsVvh7lTXrfn0yuVC5FrcFT6G2cXhqUnVAEZVRJ1d6bdb3I6KXPpXKz8yH1SR70yNrdkocNyYV/s1600/h68658FBC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi025jVb5TTgVq56QLp1bFfXHSR7VxmeFNcvZ6S1C2xJJMJx3H5zRpjRkvb8HEfhUG2VURsVvh7lTXrfn0yuVC5FrcFT6G2cXhqUnVAEZVRJ1d6bdb3I6KXPpXKz8yH1SR70yNrdkocNyYV/s1600/h68658FBC.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Instead, check out this <a href="http://searchingforthestory.blogspot.com/2014/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-how-i-violated.html" target="_blank">blog post</a> from my agent, Ethan Vaughan. It's an entertaining account of how he came to represent my book, <em>Wish Maiden</em>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">And here's a LEGO Thor just because <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StTqXEQ2l-Y&feature=kp" target="_blank">everything (LEGO) ....is... awesome</a>!</span><br />
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<br />KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-17196513860657593482014-05-20T08:33:00.000-05:002014-06-19T10:58:23.833-05:00HAPPY TYR'S DAY!<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, yet another day of the week is named after a Norse god. Tyr (pronounced TEER) is the god of courage and justice. Tyr was originally known as Tiw (rhymes with ewe) and that's why the day is pronounced Tuesday.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">That makes four days of the week named after Norse gods.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">FYI: The modern Saturday is named after the Roman god, Saturn, but in Norse times it was washing day (apparently some things never change).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Back to Tyr - he is one of the oldest European gods and was originally the chief god, but was later overtaken in popularity and therefore in authority by Odin. The myth was modified so that Tyr later became Odin's son (so even though he is quite old, he belongs to the newer class of gods known as the Aesir).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XcWwBnj6XKVAi0HDVjk48Sx-LEcA49yHF-rN-H70GvbEKePJkE3dICKWucGBAcxrM59j5KV7RHixrbZ8Vc_pLXtugikmomPWSuN8luPBKeqo3Ucri_5wGooF4J05rSLJpkV9tkF1Oy03/s1600/tyr-jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XcWwBnj6XKVAi0HDVjk48Sx-LEcA49yHF-rN-H70GvbEKePJkE3dICKWucGBAcxrM59j5KV7RHixrbZ8Vc_pLXtugikmomPWSuN8luPBKeqo3Ucri_5wGooF4J05rSLJpkV9tkF1Oy03/s1600/tyr-jpg.jpg" height="400" width="302" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">picture from </span><a href="http://www.glogster.com/justincallicutt/norse-mythology-gods-godesses/g-6mgb6bd7r6icgsv36d50da0"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.glogster.com/justincallicutt/norse-mythology-gods-godesses/g-6mgb6bd7r6icgsv36d50da0</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">As you can see from the picture above, Tyr is missing his right hand. That's because it was bitten off by Fenrir the Wolf.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was predicted that Fenrir (son of the trickster god, Loki) would cause trouble for the gods so they endeavored to bind the giant wolf for their own safety. The wolf refused to allow the suspiciously innocent-looking cord to be put around him unless one of the deities put his or her hand in his mouth as a pledge of good faith.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRiX_MA2pbz-xruvbNebIdGLYZj173sA-QIzU2mJjDhwjlHkkiQPU-FMBYmh_6g5eViPDLdpEWyoVqrj9WzwSBVT52RVut5g1PuAje6otlwEWAwMIo5hp-IBszADAxvnQVkNF7iB5sQIc/s1600/Tyr-the-god-45002269359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRiX_MA2pbz-xruvbNebIdGLYZj173sA-QIzU2mJjDhwjlHkkiQPU-FMBYmh_6g5eViPDLdpEWyoVqrj9WzwSBVT52RVut5g1PuAje6otlwEWAwMIo5hp-IBszADAxvnQVkNF7iB5sQIc/s1600/Tyr-the-god-45002269359.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">picture from </span><a href="http://www.heathengods.com/artwork/displayimage.php?album=9&pid=184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.heathengods.com/artwork/displayimage.php?album=9&pid=184</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Only Tyr was brave and honorable enough to comply with the beast’s request, and, when Fenrir found himself unable to break free of his fetters, he accordingly helped himself to the god’s hand. (Fenrir plays a part in Ragnarok, the Norse prediction for the end of the world, but that's for another post.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">The rune that represents Tyr is one of the oldest known runes. It has been found inscribed on swords, shields, and helmets dating back to 600 B.C. Tyr's rune is shaped like a spear and represents victory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/06/thors-day-trivia-heimdall.html" target="_blank">Heimdall</a>, the watchman of the gods </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">**facts sourced from <i>Myths of the Norsemen</i> by <i>H.A. </i></span></span></span></div>
KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-61213598604937624962014-05-08T08:34:00.000-05:002014-06-13T20:19:01.448-05:00THOR'S DAY TRIVIA: FREYR<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Freyr is one of the most important gods of Norse paganism. He is associated with prosperity, fair weather, and fertility. He is also the ruler of the Alfar (light elves).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Freyr is the son of Njord and his twin sister is Freya (thus he also belongs to the older class of gods known as the Vanir).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">The sword he carries is a magical sword that can fight on its own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">The dwarfs gave him a golden-bristled boar. The radiant bristles are considered symbolic either of the solar rays or of golden grain because the boar taught mankind how to plow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Freyr also possessed a magical ship named Skidbladnir. This vessel was so elastic that it was large enough to transport the gods, yet could also be folded up like a napkin and carried in one's pocket.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">This small bronze statuette of Freyr is from the Viking era. He is sitting cross-legged and holding his long beard. From this angle, his arm is obscuring his rather large phallus (he <em>is</em> a fertility god).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBImFgoB4SvxSJnVz29Ep8k25191JC7US_Pe43hQsC5Yc1ZbANDWfxgE-bN8lPQR5Y-qX3j-WDq8ZboOGR8rrPvaUMjuut0TUYOB_qWWTQn4SOr53cT4KVpEmygXVLCGEyMjdvhFPDVf2-/s1600/frey+statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBImFgoB4SvxSJnVz29Ep8k25191JC7US_Pe43hQsC5Yc1ZbANDWfxgE-bN8lPQR5Y-qX3j-WDq8ZboOGR8rrPvaUMjuut0TUYOB_qWWTQn4SOr53cT4KVpEmygXVLCGEyMjdvhFPDVf2-/s1600/frey+statue.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">He is also wearing a typical conical Viking helmet. Most people think that Vikings wore helmets like this:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGX5pEki24IvJE_epu17NPI-iGCuaEz7tKLOr3xLIYqYhXVr49Svj9i63hjwHkFbMAVPabjwoaHqsGTm_5dskCJU02KvHi060o4Updg84zcI0MSYAEwmAU9d28jDtDTOmb4utCMCWIDCy/s1600/viking-helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGX5pEki24IvJE_epu17NPI-iGCuaEz7tKLOr3xLIYqYhXVr49Svj9i63hjwHkFbMAVPabjwoaHqsGTm_5dskCJU02KvHi060o4Updg84zcI0MSYAEwmAU9d28jDtDTOmb4utCMCWIDCy/s1600/viking-helmet.jpg" height="277" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">However according to the <em>History Channel's</em> website, the popular image of the strapping Viking in a horned helmet dates back to the 1800s, when Scandinavian artists included the horned headgear in their portrayals of the raiders.....and an enduring stereotype was born.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMjsbErFxFOvaQx8w2PBK7BrRfT79aiv6mnum67vu69RvAnibFKdo5mj-jpwSu8C5NMLjPM5P-ymY5S7-ThIgd_lZPhW_B319E418rWU_YNebkX3SRIMus_o5G4h2AqiyuTWQlu3cFFpK/s1600/tumblr_mbu85ciOSJ1qdmrzf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMjsbErFxFOvaQx8w2PBK7BrRfT79aiv6mnum67vu69RvAnibFKdo5mj-jpwSu8C5NMLjPM5P-ymY5S7-ThIgd_lZPhW_B319E418rWU_YNebkX3SRIMus_o5G4h2AqiyuTWQlu3cFFpK/s1600/tumblr_mbu85ciOSJ1qdmrzf.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/05/happy-tyrs-day.html" target="_blank">Tyr</a>, the one-handed god of courage</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">**facts sourced from <i>Myths of the Norsemen</i> by <i>H.A. Guerber</i></span></div>
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KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-16681744482175702492014-05-01T09:10:00.002-05:002014-06-13T20:18:36.869-05:00THOR'S DAY TRIVIA: NJORD<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Njord (pronounced NYORD) is the god of the sea and wind.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2DMStjGEsFE4aYeIb21LAmT5jGihxu5C9Y861M0Nu8KZ5HfFs9pn__fzvr2uA6X8wsllHiaXCVzpU5NRaba8w1mdu7f9I48PUT7hX-etZ2MzT_7g_84VtXM2-7pqPXbUiYlr-Laiaz-R/s1600/Njord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2DMStjGEsFE4aYeIb21LAmT5jGihxu5C9Y861M0Nu8KZ5HfFs9pn__fzvr2uA6X8wsllHiaXCVzpU5NRaba8w1mdu7f9I48PUT7hX-etZ2MzT_7g_84VtXM2-7pqPXbUiYlr-Laiaz-R/s1600/Njord.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image by Cleighton Presutti </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/302022718730753581/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.pinterest.com/pin/302022718730753581/</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Njord belongs to the Vanir (an older class of Norse gods associated with wisdom and fertility) and is father to the goddess Freya and her twin brother, Freyr. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Njord is a very handsome god, in the prime of his life, clad in a short green tunic with a crown of shells and seaweed upon his head.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgan0LkGGJSjjr5JQju7oPwQGZjf4MA9pfk2NvicCRWFDtbrJSCL6axEKXB0EI9t0bQ4jQFHgBwNx7lX3dm_tphvsV-_fFpnO9QAvyecGt7A4uWbNTcSP5Af0KpISDDoXnd0kZeNOpqDSmx/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgan0LkGGJSjjr5JQju7oPwQGZjf4MA9pfk2NvicCRWFDtbrJSCL6axEKXB0EI9t0bQ4jQFHgBwNx7lX3dm_tphvsV-_fFpnO9QAvyecGt7A4uWbNTcSP5Af0KpISDDoXnd0kZeNOpqDSmx/s1600/2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/ks/larrycarter/LC/Web.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.angelfire.com/ks/larrycarter/LC/Web.html</span></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Njord was the personification of summer because he extended his protection over commerce and fishing, which could only be pursued during the short summer months.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Njord lived in a palace near the seashore where he stilled the terrible tempests stirred up by Aegir, god of the deep sea.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Njord is one of the few gods who will survive Ragnarok (the predicted Norse end of the world).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">As all aquatic plants belonged to Njord, the marine sponge was known in the north as "Njord's glove."</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTyLRY9tX8cqXNRbGgKJ7JT-8WWeLvArwIZgMcaK_-c2ektLYpvdM4mwvqS0inx9qSQiqw-5TUlTxFzqGnQTxLEOtnzyFZtIllOD5aVc5To3Tql0jGDym1aVo4rycoPSPy3NX_OrVaEQ_/s1600/sponge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTyLRY9tX8cqXNRbGgKJ7JT-8WWeLvArwIZgMcaK_-c2ektLYpvdM4mwvqS0inx9qSQiqw-5TUlTxFzqGnQTxLEOtnzyFZtIllOD5aVc5To3Tql0jGDym1aVo4rycoPSPy3NX_OrVaEQ_/s1600/sponge.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: Njord's son, <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/05/thors-day-trivia-freyr.html" target="_blank">Freyr</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">**facts sourced from <i>Myths of the Norsemen</i> by <i>H.A. Guerber</i></span></div>
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KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-12596968862874756682014-04-30T08:11:00.001-05:002014-04-30T08:11:58.448-05:00THE TRUTH ABOUT DIVERGENT<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last weekend I saw the movie, <em>Divergent</em>. This movie is based on the book of the same name by <em>Veronica Roth</em>. If you haven't heard of this book and/or movie, then you've probably been living under a rock...on Mars.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGtd5CnrZ6eTjSEKqdegcoVBg92-iCYuVpDs9uspNIoR49IWk5CK0EHG7HzCreW3xiVwJ05SeqSqfJdROJHS69uxhVnsgdUufpTE5nMj8bLDFBb2WGIr5iuQ6BjcBFihNvTXc6upGURHb/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGtd5CnrZ6eTjSEKqdegcoVBg92-iCYuVpDs9uspNIoR49IWk5CK0EHG7HzCreW3xiVwJ05SeqSqfJdROJHS69uxhVnsgdUufpTE5nMj8bLDFBb2WGIr5iuQ6BjcBFihNvTXc6upGURHb/s1600/untitled.png" height="320" width="203" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Book (description from <em>Amazon</em>): </strong><em>One choice can transform you.</em> Beatrice Prior's society is divided into five factions—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Beatrice must choose between staying with her Abnegation family and transferring factions. Her choice will shock her community and herself. But the newly christened Tris also has a secret, one she's determined to keep hidden, because in this world, <em>what makes you different makes you dangerous.</em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Movie: </strong> The film left out a few key scenes and minimized roles of some supporting characters (for time reasons I'm sure), but it was fairly true to the book. I thought the casting was good, although I did take a very minor issue with Theo James. Don't get me wrong, he was very easy on the eyes and convincing as Four, he just seemed a bit too old for Shailene Woodley. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is set in a futuristic Chicago that doesn't have any water surrounding it so that was interesting to see. I have an issue with heights, so there were quite a few scenes that made my palms sweat (especially having recently visited the Hancock Tower and knowing just how high it is at the top).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">The first half of the movie was riveting, but the second half dragged a bit. I thought the book did a better job with the climax and conveyed a sense of real danger, whereas it felt like the last half of the movie was just prepping you for the sequel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My hubby graciously accompanied me. He had not read the book. I could tell by the look on his face that he took issue with something. Turns out it had nothing to do with the movie itself, he just didn't buy the premise. I've heard this from a few other friends also which is why I recommend </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">reading the book first. If you like the book, then you'll like the movie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">P.S. A friend was once asked to describe me in one sentence. He said that I was Jack Nicholson's character from <em>A Few Good Men</em> when he says, "You can't handle the truth!" So as much as I would like to be Dauntless, I'm obviously Candor :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9j9o1a7GO82ejqlb-qaGYSjAMtp5neLi2rst493-PLTLCjaRHgrpEyjiTuy9SbEiYhyT24sAxF4CstdbUSraZrNe2rysIyHZ_-2jqpCU3Hzh75RcdUTZ1pSUFYjkoxnC8ui-nOTS4CIb/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9j9o1a7GO82ejqlb-qaGYSjAMtp5neLi2rst493-PLTLCjaRHgrpEyjiTuy9SbEiYhyT24sAxF4CstdbUSraZrNe2rysIyHZ_-2jqpCU3Hzh75RcdUTZ1pSUFYjkoxnC8ui-nOTS4CIb/s1600/images.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Also the previews at <em>Divergent </em>made me very excited for <em>The Maze Runner </em>movie which stars Dylan O'Brien from Teen Wolf.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O3Kl0PM9yd84SYDcPemZTKdsIXD4PhwOSw_ZVwza-SOi3fF_EN7jrQdreZ8sCIfoY7pj3OeADyYkcFirk3NTPdQERuqExxOm9YfDsWjEcgKmbNJhykHgr_fIwop_T5J3ldRhGCkWrQX5/s1600/maze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O3Kl0PM9yd84SYDcPemZTKdsIXD4PhwOSw_ZVwza-SOi3fF_EN7jrQdreZ8sCIfoY7pj3OeADyYkcFirk3NTPdQERuqExxOm9YfDsWjEcgKmbNJhykHgr_fIwop_T5J3ldRhGCkWrQX5/s1600/maze.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
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KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-16727113936670427522014-04-24T09:30:00.001-05:002014-06-13T20:18:01.693-05:00THOR'S DAY TRIVIA: FREYA<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Freya is the goddess of love and war. She was the most beautiful and best beloved of all the goddesses. Freya wore a falcon cloak which enabled her to fly through the air as a bird.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3GALW-ejGIWihFxuUIQi8_2BUEDEbT7-1MYPmbsEBBXdAMUcg2EPrD6O4fQYtSpVDA8t-CT_8oFDb0F8_nLh8EpFbc0D7r2_5paCc4uSK_S6lM7VGKAtSv_Cy0FxGq1HgJdSapFQL8m3/s1600/freyja_by_lindowyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3GALW-ejGIWihFxuUIQi8_2BUEDEbT7-1MYPmbsEBBXdAMUcg2EPrD6O4fQYtSpVDA8t-CT_8oFDb0F8_nLh8EpFbc0D7r2_5paCc4uSK_S6lM7VGKAtSv_Cy0FxGq1HgJdSapFQL8m3/s1600/freyja_by_lindowyn.jpg" height="400" width="275" /></a></div>
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Picture from <a href="http://nordicwiccan.blogspot.com/2013/07/freya.html">http://nordicwiccan.blogspot.com/2013/07/freya.html</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Freya belongs to the class of Norse gods known as the Vanir. The Vanir are older gods associated with wisdom and fertility. The Aesir defeated the Vanir in a great war, but some Vanir were allowed to live in Asgard (home of the Aesir) when peace was obtained.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Freya sometimes rides in a chariot pulled by cats.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbhR4CtJhWaM65DEx3oekY_IlNT5nDn70VofPIQkn2n0VjwGM7n-Cd7qniN3-JJpXIPcb7vk_lB9qhMYa3biQHh5-4d2B9uG0q_WVPwFkvwfSSwWnyrz9Zy7Ws_DuIJnpeG2z8zRJSa8t/s1600/Freyja_riding_with_her_cats_(1874).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbhR4CtJhWaM65DEx3oekY_IlNT5nDn70VofPIQkn2n0VjwGM7n-Cd7qniN3-JJpXIPcb7vk_lB9qhMYa3biQHh5-4d2B9uG0q_WVPwFkvwfSSwWnyrz9Zy7Ws_DuIJnpeG2z8zRJSa8t/s1600/Freyja_riding_with_her_cats_(1874).jpg" height="326" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Freya had a weakness for beautiful jewels. The story tells that she had intimate relations with four dwarfs in order to obtain a golden necklace they had created. The necklace was named Brisingamen. You can see it depicted in this ornament from the Viking era:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Freya is the personification of the earth and as such, she married Odur, the symbol of the summer sun. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Freya's tears turn into gold when they touch the earth and they turn into amber when they touch the ocean.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">The prettiest plants and flowers in the north were called Freya's hair or Freya's eye dew, while the butterfly was called Freya's hen.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">I named one of my cats Freya because she is beautiful and demands nothing less than worship.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zOEVEfNTG_dc3Se2e0W7ONS0gWpYzjwrX6EipBpZXUCbd0oarAfcWGijiICLmLyw50YqeoDYpHCdSz9Pnp7-p5XjnZVDRgCtW8c9zKzLIVtAniXN5alhRdLKaJTr7D7WZqK7AJpYpS5e/s1600/DSC00827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zOEVEfNTG_dc3Se2e0W7ONS0gWpYzjwrX6EipBpZXUCbd0oarAfcWGijiICLmLyw50YqeoDYpHCdSz9Pnp7-p5XjnZVDRgCtW8c9zKzLIVtAniXN5alhRdLKaJTr7D7WZqK7AJpYpS5e/s1600/DSC00827.JPG" height="294" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">She laughs at lowly humans.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUKV1ON8XQvn-ufSu_BG5yRyCiF9XmvVJZLnxyiCYKTBkpA8nGIzF-8o8j1Pa9db92zuzw7YajtWPUAjPnUIG_EZm5wibFGjwFrAMRyzsE93B0lrDQu4kwkakGVnSHL2s1HdYBXZrgO1O/s1600/DSC00830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUKV1ON8XQvn-ufSu_BG5yRyCiF9XmvVJZLnxyiCYKTBkpA8nGIzF-8o8j1Pa9db92zuzw7YajtWPUAjPnUIG_EZm5wibFGjwFrAMRyzsE93B0lrDQu4kwkakGVnSHL2s1HdYBXZrgO1O/s1600/DSC00830.JPG" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: Freya's father, <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/05/thors-day-trivia-njord.html" target="_blank">Njord</a>, the god of the sea</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">**facts sourced from <i>Myths of the Norsemen</i> by <i>H.A. Guerber</i></span></div>
KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-516947063942722372014-04-10T08:58:00.001-05:002014-06-13T20:17:30.550-05:00THOR'S DAY TRIVIA: FRIGG<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Frigg is the wife of Odin and the patron of marriage and motherhood. Frigg is not the mother of Thor (Norse gods were not known for their fidelity).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Frigg was the goddess of the atmosphere and used a marvelous jeweled spinning wheel to weave long webs of brightly colored clouds. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilP4CX_UxuzVNgfturL3fQ4qeVhApmFc3eDnN6U7GMmEPprcVQTbVxVUFeSA6HTyc6N4rUx-zHMryUZPr9JL84yZLTFx0H4zTRyVP9_Y_HqTkRszyGZH9X-2wAos1FJ74cUHQKKD7Sjh5T/s1600/frigg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilP4CX_UxuzVNgfturL3fQ4qeVhApmFc3eDnN6U7GMmEPprcVQTbVxVUFeSA6HTyc6N4rUx-zHMryUZPr9JL84yZLTFx0H4zTRyVP9_Y_HqTkRszyGZH9X-2wAos1FJ74cUHQKKD7Sjh5T/s1600/frigg.jpg" height="320" width="287" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">She was crowned with heron plumes, the symbol of silence because she can see the future, but never relates what she sees.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsFLuhrPYSZ1J0RVIgtpQUja7rnz5hMLuAxInBdQRM_6MWOywmndx1vO2N4NGX4GhrSQmlvr__vJ6CLZBhzNZ8tcKcZlUeydNl6LuvWs1WNgB24HHrpSfeUfjJcGDTSHmxLqdFctAK3LF/s1600/19d2c6258ca68b6a9abad9197f6ef5c5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsFLuhrPYSZ1J0RVIgtpQUja7rnz5hMLuAxInBdQRM_6MWOywmndx1vO2N4NGX4GhrSQmlvr__vJ6CLZBhzNZ8tcKcZlUeydNl6LuvWs1WNgB24HHrpSfeUfjJcGDTSHmxLqdFctAK3LF/s1600/19d2c6258ca68b6a9abad9197f6ef5c5.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">When Norse and Germanic tribes converted to Christianity, Frigg was banished to a mountaintop and labeled a witch. It was believed that every Friday, the spiteful goddess convened a meeting with eleven other witches plus the devil (a gathering of thirteen) and plotted ill turns of fate for the coming week. For many centuries in Scandinavia, Friday was known as the "Witches Sabbath." This may be one of the origins of the superstition about Friday the 13th.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR4sjqRo9fP6ue0D2y3b6byfkmhKYrckSRAuXtDtv1w3u42GMGTBg3J3k0EWSaB-YsYH9dXjwaEHt6mOEzcqc3OLwmhu4nVli1nse9Al2o4lMS4YsNf7b0d2kmQc7KGUQ7iZ4jEinV4OY/s1600/friday13web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR4sjqRo9fP6ue0D2y3b6byfkmhKYrckSRAuXtDtv1w3u42GMGTBg3J3k0EWSaB-YsYH9dXjwaEHt6mOEzcqc3OLwmhu4nVli1nse9Al2o4lMS4YsNf7b0d2kmQc7KGUQ7iZ4jEinV4OY/s1600/friday13web.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/04/thors-day-trivia-freya.html" target="_blank">Freya</a>, the goddess of love and war</span>KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-90419030614843466412014-03-20T12:08:00.003-05:002014-06-13T20:17:03.791-05:00THOR'S DAY TRIVIA: ODIN<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even if you don't know anything about Norse mythology, chances are you've at least <i>heard</i> of Odin. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Odin was the highest and holiest god of the Northern races. He was the principal member of the <i>Aesir</i> (newer and ruling gods of the Norse pantheon). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Odin, was the god of war and death, but also represented universal wisdom and victory, and he was the leader and protector of princes and heroes. He is also known as the Allfather because he did actually father many of the Aesir (e.g. Thor).</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOAYhirCVMQUx1Rsx75GhqS_0B9-OUXbj9gK1N8Ra9iU0D_pq8TJA45A0YMgm6UaGXxlZtpRNNT6xImwopx6QMLFbk3C6fv52P3-QU2DD4bLegnmILdOGkWKGDRTUeg_z82bBidaaPXdX/s1600/511px-Odin,_der_G%C3%B6ttervater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOAYhirCVMQUx1Rsx75GhqS_0B9-OUXbj9gK1N8Ra9iU0D_pq8TJA45A0YMgm6UaGXxlZtpRNNT6xImwopx6QMLFbk3C6fv52P3-QU2DD4bLegnmILdOGkWKGDRTUeg_z82bBidaaPXdX/s1600/511px-Odin,_der_G%C3%B6ttervater.jpg" height="320" width="272" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">The picture above depicts:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Odin's throne, where he can observe what happens in the nine realms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">The ravens, <i>Huginn </i>and<i> Muninn</i> (translated as Thought and Memory), who spy on the world of humans and report back to Odin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Odin's spear, <i>Gungnir</i>, that is so well balanced it will strike any target and will never break.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Odin's wolves, <i>Geri</i> and <i>Freki</i> (translated as Greedy and Ravenous).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Why is Odin sometimes depicted as wearing an eye-patch?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zoWQZLrQtUoEuaChHYFRjhJnfWhfnmySsSXca3HoG2YZ2c_Vznm1_oOlsRMRAlQ_5wDBEiwAbwkdo3t9QGu-zFISAqqTySj6FK1HOymuH5NR-RxO2_X9wgVwHoJA7botJ2lI4A-5q7c6/s1600/Odin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zoWQZLrQtUoEuaChHYFRjhJnfWhfnmySsSXca3HoG2YZ2c_Vznm1_oOlsRMRAlQ_5wDBEiwAbwkdo3t9QGu-zFISAqqTySj6FK1HOymuH5NR-RxO2_X9wgVwHoJA7botJ2lI4A-5q7c6/s1600/Odin.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">He sacrificed one of his eyes in order to drink from the Well of Wisdom. His other eye is described as blazing like the sun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">When Odin visited the world of men, he disguised himself by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and cloak and walked with a wooden staff. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJD-iWUROiRGR2a8F-86aBg2PzcNn9f8Cl6tGmtaEIEoT0GvPLh8_TOzyKAVWsni0LmsVoStn9DD3p8vp5JeU8k53wZkUwe6Yz2c8RvGTMvC5lE89Y_J2D_qV3TCakS4PV0yuikRGmWIw/s1600/odin_2%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJD-iWUROiRGR2a8F-86aBg2PzcNn9f8Cl6tGmtaEIEoT0GvPLh8_TOzyKAVWsni0LmsVoStn9DD3p8vp5JeU8k53wZkUwe6Yz2c8RvGTMvC5lE89Y_J2D_qV3TCakS4PV0yuikRGmWIw/s1600/odin_2%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>Tolkien</i> based his character, Gandalf, on the wandering form of Odin.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmoAo1alDDCgZjg-Mi4wbgbnhGdiT9QfasMIHvmuvxHKNsYbrokCfEEyk60lvIrjLLwG2jUPlu0c4q3PUuKXBo0cXFLS5xJo_krhMXUdf1V5zVQSTqAwVPOC43dPsjvxRjOpqi3FLpOzr/s1600/Gandalf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmoAo1alDDCgZjg-Mi4wbgbnhGdiT9QfasMIHvmuvxHKNsYbrokCfEEyk60lvIrjLLwG2jUPlu0c4q3PUuKXBo0cXFLS5xJo_krhMXUdf1V5zVQSTqAwVPOC43dPsjvxRjOpqi3FLpOzr/s1600/Gandalf.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span>Many theorize that the wandering form of Odin heavily influenced the concept of Santa Claus. The modern image of Santa Claus (fat, jolly, and wearing a red suit with white trim) was crafted by Coca Cola in the twentieth century. The original Santa Claus looked more like this picture from the nineteenth century:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKaPp2c2ydI6FhjuH2FsM5-CzjRlEdF2T5nEfTXQTVUhMSrW7fJWwt_o65-zSSKJC7yp4ok13g-vk2HhKJLvRIkHqrLNpjnF4jT4RPdv_2PWZA0SHLWdmDCE_mhJhbq8LI_3iM-maTwKP/s1600/Georg_von_Rosen_-_Oden_som_vandringsman,_1886_(Odin,_the_Wanderer).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKaPp2c2ydI6FhjuH2FsM5-CzjRlEdF2T5nEfTXQTVUhMSrW7fJWwt_o65-zSSKJC7yp4ok13g-vk2HhKJLvRIkHqrLNpjnF4jT4RPdv_2PWZA0SHLWdmDCE_mhJhbq8LI_3iM-maTwKP/s1600/Georg_von_Rosen_-_Oden_som_vandringsman,_1886_(Odin,_the_Wanderer).jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">The wandering Odin often gave gifts to children and Odin also rode through the sky on an eight-legged horse named <i>Sleipnir </i>(which was replaced by reindeer in the Santa myth).<i> </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHfvy4Y6MU7_vOkE7PdZmfhsmZKFZtUiWgyjmUGLNBJiKW_bR0gc0arm94I8GV0mBlz20x5ZMKIbHvCUyPAbuDfq6ob5A4fxHwfDe533p67rTMx5AK3wRjkVOih4Ahf4oy_iEudi2rGUa/s1600/Ardre_Odin_Sleipnir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHfvy4Y6MU7_vOkE7PdZmfhsmZKFZtUiWgyjmUGLNBJiKW_bR0gc0arm94I8GV0mBlz20x5ZMKIbHvCUyPAbuDfq6ob5A4fxHwfDe533p67rTMx5AK3wRjkVOih4Ahf4oy_iEudi2rGUa/s1600/Ardre_Odin_Sleipnir.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: the goddess, <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/04/thors-day-trivia-frigg.html" target="_blank">Frigg</a> (Odin's wife)</span></div>
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KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-40949767593831337772014-03-12T20:03:00.000-05:002014-06-13T20:16:29.941-05:00HAPPY THOR'S DAY<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Thor is the Norse god of thunder and the origin of the weekday name <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thursday" title="Thursday">Thursday</a></i>. During the Roman Empire period, the Germanic peoples adopted the Roman weekly calendar, but replaced the names of Roman gods with their own. So the day of Jupiter became Thor's day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">If you are familiar with Thor, it may be due to the recent Marvel movies. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">This is their interpretation:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg1-vwg1tXy4wX6GpuBTiWQCQEjJkVzwlRgZH-WnExsbPukOdH9R-TOoTjy5nhiPXV8wGZ9RGSa3QtMDqOhs41ooXv4GIKZG7T41rgddDgYVyMCbuTZ67bI8FIZd9CNF9wXb6t-ZPPxkd/s1600/Marvel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg1-vwg1tXy4wX6GpuBTiWQCQEjJkVzwlRgZH-WnExsbPukOdH9R-TOoTjy5nhiPXV8wGZ9RGSa3QtMDqOhs41ooXv4GIKZG7T41rgddDgYVyMCbuTZ67bI8FIZd9CNF9wXb6t-ZPPxkd/s1600/Marvel.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Easy on the eyes, but not entirely accurate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In Norse mythology:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Thor actually had bristling <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: red;">red</span> hair and a red beard, from which, in moments of anger, the sparks flew in showers. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">He was a fierce warrior with a violent temper, who seems to revel in the slaughter of any who would challenge him (and isn't quite as noble as the one portrayed in the Marvel universe). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">He also wore a crown, on each point of which was either a glittering star or a steadily burning flame, so that his head was ever surrounded by a kind of halo of fire (his own element).</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Although Thor was not the chief god (that would be Odin), he was the most popular with the people and they associated Thor with strength and the protection of mankind. He was the patron god of the peasants and lower classes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Warriors often wore pendants depicting Thor's hammer (like the one below) which was called Mjollnir (<i>translation:</i> that which smashes).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Next Thor's Day: some facts about the Allfather, <a href="http://katykerrey.blogspot.com/2014/03/thors-day-trivia-odin.html" target="_blank">Odin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">**facts sourced from <i>Myths of the Norsemen</i> by <i>H.A. Guerber</i></span></div>
<br />KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-87065791139741826052014-02-20T09:46:00.000-06:002014-03-06T12:48:42.041-06:00THREE MOVIES ADAPTED FROM YA BOOKS<h4>
<em><u><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Tiger Eyes</span></u></em></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Book (by <em>Judy Blume</em>): </strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Seventeen year old D</span>avey has never felt so alone in her life. Her father is dead—shot in a holdup—and now her mother is moving the family to New Mexico to try to recover. Climbing in the Los Alamos canyon, Davey meets the mysterious Wolf, who is the only person who seems to understand the rage and fear Davey feels. Slowly, with Wolf’s help, Davey realizes that she must get on with her life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Movie: </strong>The key word above is "slowly" and that sums up the film too. I devoured all of <em>Judy Blume's</em> books when I was a tween and <em>Tiger Eyes</em> was actually one of my favorites. But when I saw that this movie skipped theaters and went directly to <em>Lifetime</em>, I suspected it wasn't going to be that great...and I was right. The actress who plays Davey (<em>Willa Holland</em>) was good at conveying the range of emotions one would feel in those circumstances, but she didn't have any chemistry with the actor who played Wolf (who looked like he was a good fifteen years older than her even though he is actually only six years older). If you are looking for a coming of age story and/or recently lost a parent, you might find it tolerable. Honestly, I only made it half way through the movie before I turned the channel.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My final verdict: Read the book. Skip the movie.</span><br />
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<em><u><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Ender's Game</span></u></em></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Book (by <em>Orson Scott Card</em>): </strong><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, is drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training. Ender's skills make him a leader in school yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers, Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. Is Ender the general Earth needs?</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Movie: </strong><em>Asa Butterfield</em> expertly plays Ender; he makes the character watchable and you are definitely rooting for him. <em> Harrison Ford</em> kind of phoned it in, but he was adequate. The theme of the story is about strategy and ethics and what makes a great leader. I thought the movie spent too much time on the strategy game at the Battle School and also maybe fell a bit short as to showing how Ender (a 12 year old) could command the entire fleet in a battle against an alien race, but the rest of the movie was interesting and the final battle was riveting. Also, the ending throws out a few twists.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">My final verdict: <em>Orson Scott Card</em> has made anti-gay remarks, therefore I will not read the book nor will I recommend it, but if you like space and/or aliens then enjoy the movie</span><br />
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<em><u><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Vampire Academy</span></u></em></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Book (by <em>Richelle Mead</em>): </strong>St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . . </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Movie: </strong>I have not read the book. After watching twenty seconds of the trailer, I figured I would rather watch twelve football games in a row than see the movie (for those of you who don't know, I can't stand watching sports...except for MMA). Anyway, Mandy Wan over at foreveryoungadult.com wrote an extremely entertaining (and scathing) review which I'm guessing is fifty times more enjoyable than the movie. Check it out:</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://foreveryoungadult.com/2014/02/10/a-highly-scientific-analysis-of-vampire-academy/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://foreveryoungadult.com/2014/02/10/a-highly-scientific-analysis-of-vampire-academy/</span></a>KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-68399002098501990612014-02-08T15:44:00.000-06:002014-03-06T13:18:06.031-06:00REPRESENTED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's official! The contract is signed. I am represented by literary agent, Ethan Vaughan (Kimberley Cameron and Associates). </span><a href="http://www.kimberleycameron.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.kimberleycameron.com/</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Not only does a complete stranger like my book, but he thinks other people will like it too :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">I'm off to celebrate with sangria and apple pie. Cheers!</span><br />
<br />KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-14756961643840377012014-02-06T08:00:00.000-06:002014-03-06T13:18:26.461-06:00NOT ENOUGH VIKINGS OR VICTORIAN MONSTERS<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There just aren't enough movies and shows about, well you guessed it - Vikings. There are a few movies (<em>13th Warrior, Valhalla Rising</em>) and occasionally <em>True Blood</em> will have some Eric flashbacks, but other than that, the subject is mostly ignored. So I was super excited last year when <em>The History Channel</em> aired a series called <em>Vikings</em>.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I figured if anyone could do a historically accurate depiction of the Norse era, it would definitely be <em>The History Channel</em> (no horned helmets!). The series is centered around the life of Ragnar Lothbrok, a legendary ruler and hero from real Norse sagas. And I was right: it was historically accurate and all kinds of awesome. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">My only issue was that the wife of Ragnar was also a warrior which is not historically accurate, but oh well. </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Also, the end of the series was a bit strange because they started throwing in some supernatural elements. Obviously, I normally love supernatural anything, but it seemed odd to start the series depicting the Viking era as it really was then throw in some gods and magic at the end. The second season starts this month and I am curious to see where they will take it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">**If you missed the first season, it's available on <em>Amazon Prime</em> or DVD**</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">There just aren't enough movies and shows about Victorian monsters. OKAY there actually are quite a few, but I want more....an</span><span style="font-family: Times;">d I'm going to get it. <em>Showtime</em> will be airing a new series this May called <em>Penny Dreadful </em>(what a great name!).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Here is the description of the series from the <em>Showtime</em> website:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of literature's most terrifying characters, including Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and iconic figures from the novel Dracula are lurking in the darkest corners of Victorian London. PENNY DREADFUL is a frightening psychological thriller that weaves together these classic horror origin stories into a new adult drama.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There is a <em>Penny Dreadful</em> digital book club through <em>Goodreads </em>here: </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/120753-penny-dreadful-digital-book-club"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/120753-penny-dreadful-digital-book-club</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The book club will be re-reading the classics that inspired creator John Logan to write the series – “Dracula”, “Frankenstein”, and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”.</span>KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-86154638330271243012014-01-30T14:21:00.000-06:002014-03-06T15:43:16.135-06:00TWO MOVIES ADAPTED FROM YA BOOKS<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I recently watched two movies
adapted from YA books, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beautiful
Creatures </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful
Creatures<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Book (by <em>Kami Garcia</em> and <em>Margaret Stohl</em>):</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lena, a caster (witch) will have to choose
between the light and the dark on her 16<sup>th</sup> birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She falls in love with a mortal, Ethan,
triggering a long standing curse in her family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Movie:</strong> I understand that
the pace of the southern lifestyle isn’t exactly fast and furious, but it
seemed to take a long time for anything to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And once it did, I still didn’t feel any
urgency or suspense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The special effects
were sparse and not that great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
main problem was that the two leads, Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich)
and Lena (Alice Englert), had good chemistry, it was just the wrong kind; it
felt more like buddy chemistry than fated lovers chemistry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alden Ehrenreich brought a lot of energy to
the role, but his attempt at a southern accent was so thick and exaggerated that
at times I needed subtitles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he
crossed the line from quirky to goofy which is just not swoon worthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, the supporting cast reveled
in their eccentric characters. The movie may be worth watching just for Emma
Thompson’s performance alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was good
as the wanton and wicked southern belle gone bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rotten Tomatoes critics rate
this movie as 46% fresh with comments that it has “charming leads,” but is “plodding”
and “watered down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My final verdict: read the
book and skip the movie.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<strong><em>The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones</em></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeShlzSe-EhIEUeV-4bnn7Ma6cUtVh7bcK2w1rnE5vP_g3q7N_S4i3MRImv0LLJQ-ZP-5wNvRujE5f3ORGQu5jACOPjdzAUvSM1hQ9xArQZ1-VxcYuBSFiSHfGS2eoCHMvbR1fDdizt-eO/s1600/mortal+instruments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeShlzSe-EhIEUeV-4bnn7Ma6cUtVh7bcK2w1rnE5vP_g3q7N_S4i3MRImv0LLJQ-ZP-5wNvRujE5f3ORGQu5jACOPjdzAUvSM1hQ9xArQZ1-VxcYuBSFiSHfGS2eoCHMvbR1fDdizt-eO/s1600/mortal+instruments.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Book (by <em>Cassandra Clare</em>):</strong> Fifteen year old
Clary accidentally runs into Shadowhunters: warriors dedicated to ridding the
earth of demons. Clary is pulled into their world with a vengeance when her
mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Movie</strong>: First off, I’m
guessing that this film had a much larger budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The special effects were great and there were
lots of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being set in New York City
already lends to a faster pace and the plot kept moving quickly with lots of
action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cast was excellent with
crackling chemistry between the leads (Jamie Campbell Bower and Lily Collins).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robert Sheehan was a perfect choice for the
awkward best friend and Jonathan Rhys Meyers is always deliciously
villainous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The film is fairly similar
to the book with mostly minor changes and a much more dramatic final sequence
involving a lot more characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked
the movie and thought it was fun to watch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rotten Tomatoes critics rate
this movie as only 12% fresh with a comment that it “borrows ingredients from
seemingly every fantasy franchise of the last 30 years -- but can't seem to
figure out what to do with them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, the audience rates it as 61% fresh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The books have garnered criticism for having
the exact same plot as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Harry Potter</i>,
but that obviously doesn’t put people off because it has been a very successful
series. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My final verdict: read the
book first then enjoy the movie.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-11995171734292540752014-01-10T12:06:00.000-06:002014-03-06T15:43:23.925-06:00OUTLANDER<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When
it comes to sci-fi and fantasy, one of my favorite subjects is aliens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another one of my favorites (as you have
probably gathered by now) is Vikings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
when I heard about a 2008 movie that was about both aliens AND Vikings, I thought
I must have died and gone to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Could there really be such an awesome mash-up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is and the name of that movie is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Outlander</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbzDVhyphenhyphenOiNBUQx9ESMmuytOiYNfXQ9Ank0Y61CI1hKKTILxIvuu3-X4xa-aGmmPZeg2Kdh8cOM1sIjSXXSY8d6fh4LLNK9W7hyphenhyphenm6d6EopDKGMj9bOpEp9kzEw4-kBviAv8gfeWDcE3CKM/s1600/outlander.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbzDVhyphenhyphenOiNBUQx9ESMmuytOiYNfXQ9Ank0Y61CI1hKKTILxIvuu3-X4xa-aGmmPZeg2Kdh8cOM1sIjSXXSY8d6fh4LLNK9W7hyphenhyphenm6d6EopDKGMj9bOpEp9kzEw4-kBviAv8gfeWDcE3CKM/s1600/outlander.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Rotten
tomatoes rates the movie as only 38% fresh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It criticizes the film for being “schizophrenic in subject and
lackluster in execution.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously I
disagree with the comment about the subject. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, yes, the execution could have been
better, but it was still a pretty good movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, when it comes to
sci-fi and fantasy, my attitude is a lot like the saying about pizza (when it’s
good….it’s great, but when it’s bad….it’s still pretty good).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So
imagine my surprise and delight to see that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Starz</i> network is now filming a new series called none other than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Outlander</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This new series is based on the books by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Diana Gabaldon</i> and combines two of my
other favorite subjects: period pieces and time travel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSll__tiA_HqaZbWBRll9nR4D-N2HXbHEV_dXeekLExOr5Hx8vi8nSTR8QH920V7RP0hX0xI8fEEQzNglUlWlWa3ahMe-yE6HEWtKng-NlwY-shBwaRQDPc1__oMTLK6B16FqspXD8JEs9/s1600/outlander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSll__tiA_HqaZbWBRll9nR4D-N2HXbHEV_dXeekLExOr5Hx8vi8nSTR8QH920V7RP0hX0xI8fEEQzNglUlWlWa3ahMe-yE6HEWtKng-NlwY-shBwaRQDPc1__oMTLK6B16FqspXD8JEs9/s1600/outlander.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Here
is the description of the book: In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse,
is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon--when
she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot
the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an "outlander"—in a
Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord...1743.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Needless
to say, I purchased the first book in the series immediately and I will spend
the weekend in mash-up heaven (which is really fitting since I have a lot of leftover cottage pie to eat).</span></div>
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KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-31242991337876040162014-01-01T16:06:00.003-06:002014-03-06T15:43:38.229-06:00IN THE MOOD FOR MIDDLE GRADE?<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back in the day when I was a kid (the 1980’s to be exact) my two favorite books were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mandy</i> by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Julie Edwards</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ronia, the Robbers Daughter</i> by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Astrid Lindgren</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mandy</i> is about a ten year old orphan who scales the orphanage wall and finds a deserted cottage in the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turns the cottage into her own private sanctuary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One stormy night at the cottage, Mandy gets sick, and no one knows how to find her—except a special friend she didn't know she had.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiIOJ52mXfregV2k-4ZyFEzghZd_UtEShIeZp8BczKu5TGgi89sXv0r16RTgXrPRMj1i6fDudXhOG6TS7wERNDf2UmbRmU5r5zhS9O7oTUfeiENrhJqnUAz80Hi2WewFZREV1RhsT1SWR/s1600/mandy-by-julie-andrews-edwards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiIOJ52mXfregV2k-4ZyFEzghZd_UtEShIeZp8BczKu5TGgi89sXv0r16RTgXrPRMj1i6fDudXhOG6TS7wERNDf2UmbRmU5r5zhS9O7oTUfeiENrhJqnUAz80Hi2WewFZREV1RhsT1SWR/s1600/mandy-by-julie-andrews-edwards.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter </i>is about a young girl who lives with her father and his band of robbers in a castle in the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she befriends the son of a rival robber chieftain, Birk, her father disowns her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ronia and Birk run off together to live in the woods. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their new life is full of adventures and perils. Eventually Ronia and Birk find a way to end the feud between their families with the aid of an old robber’s secret.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiJtjbcG3L2TT54S9JV_aHYTIcJ_6vkxcGmh6duJsHkxGHy3Hyiw-kbZOvoE4v3Y8P0iCIX9rYBhk0PMaIykjc_pvFkCHWwvmpO21Qw-dH65Rbyo_H4z2dJ99ODdhlPAEHsqqUqKqcCCX/s1600/ronja-robbers-daughter-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiJtjbcG3L2TT54S9JV_aHYTIcJ_6vkxcGmh6duJsHkxGHy3Hyiw-kbZOvoE4v3Y8P0iCIX9rYBhk0PMaIykjc_pvFkCHWwvmpO21Qw-dH65Rbyo_H4z2dJ99ODdhlPAEHsqqUqKqcCCX/s1600/ronja-robbers-daughter-cover.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Both of these stories have common themes that appealed to my young self: a feeling of not belonging and the search for independence (and of course Vikings in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ronia</i>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are in the mood for some middle grade, whether young or old(er), I highly recommend these two books.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398468341042329336.post-59553517848191248832013-12-21T12:08:00.000-06:002014-03-06T15:43:53.699-06:00INTRODUCTION TO AN ASPIRING AUTHOR<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I was six years old, I
would sit in my room and make up stories, reciting them out loud (my
introverted self is still shocked and amazed by that).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day my teenage step-sister overheard me
and said, “That’s actually really good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was deeply embarrassed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t
get me wrong, she meant it as a genuine compliment, but it had simply never
occurred to my introverted self that someone else might be listening (eek!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was mortified and never told a story out
loud ever again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still created them,
but I kept them tightly locked away inside my head….until now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last year I decided I could
no longer go on as a corporate zombie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had spent the last fifteen years as a technical writer in a pharmaceutical
company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved writing, but I hated
corporate bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was miserable and
needed a change, so I quit (yay!!) and began my first attempt at writing down
some of those stories buried in my imagination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">It was definitely a learning experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">The goal of technical writing is to provide the most information using
the fewest words (embellishment is frowned upon).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first attempt at writing a book chapter resulted
in all of two paragraphs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully my
creative side did finally emerge from its dormancy and I finished my first
novel (as my mother in law would say, “it’s like a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> book!”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a YA
fantasy called WISH MAIDEN and it is about a Valkyrie who falls for a human and
unwittingly initiates Ragnarok, the predicted destruction of the gods and the end of the world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The purpose of this blog is
to discuss YA books, Norse mythology, and my experiences with writing and the
publishing industry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and gush about other
interests, such as fantasy and Sci-Fi pop culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for visiting!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
KThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09988841435296868425noreply@blogger.com0