We Interrupt this Outlander Blog...

...to talk for a moment about The Pillars of the Earth, which I finally watched last night.

YOW. SA!!!  I could not BELIEVE how much of that book I forgot. There are so many storylines - and all I really remembered was Tom Builder and Ellen. Holy COW! 

I have to say - I truly enjoyed it. I really liked Rufus Sewell as Tom Builder - even though I pictured him completely differently (Kevin McKidd from the second he was mentioned, actually). I was a little confused at Ellen. I expected the character to be played in a much more sultry and seductive way. The actress - Natalia Worner - was very good (holy crap when she peed on the table I thought I'd die) but just not what I was expecting. And hello? Did someone forget the scene in the woods between Tom Builder and Ellen??? How could they omit that? I am wondering if it will be a flashback.

Hayley Atwell - aka Aliena - was awesome. Perfect casting.

Donald Sutherland - her father, Bartholomew - equally as riveting. But then, when is Donald Sutherland not awesome? (I can hear Tracey saying "He's the father of Jack Bower! Of COURSE he's riveting!")

I am looking forward to - yikes - tomorrow already?! I can't believe how much of the book they shoved into one two hour episode!

Biggest actor surprise of the night? Matthew MacFadyen - Prior Phillip - aka MR DARCY in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE!!! You could have knocked me over with a feather when I put that together in my brain (with a little help from IMDB, of course!)

So You Think You Can Play Jamie Fraser?!

Tracey came up with a reality show idea that is PRICE. LESS. Luvs it! She posted it in the comments section but I think it warrants a full blog entry. The following is what she came up with. 

PS - I want to be a judge!

OK, lassies, I have refined the idea for the show (which is now going by "So You Think You Can Play Jamie Fraser?") It will be a cross between American Idol/Dancing with the Stars and Project Runway/Top Chef.

• There's a host and four judges. HERSELF, as we've determined, is head judge. Maybe the movie screenwriter (whoever that may be) is second judge. Still haven't determined the third judge. Then there's the special guest MOP judge, which features a rotating cast from our own ranks.

• The search begins with casting calls in three-four cities, like on American Idol. (Edinburgh is one of those cities.) That's where we have the first few eps that feature the auditions of bad, laughable Jamies.
From these auditions, the field is narrowed to maybe 20 potential Jamies.

• Now it turns more Project Runway-y. Each week, the Jamies have some sort of challenge they have to complete, with the judges getting rid of one Jamie per week. (I canna decide if America should also vote--maybe that starts happening when we get to the top five Jamies.)

• After the final challenge--voila, we have our Jamie!!!!

So whaddya think some appropriate Jamie challenges might be?

Jared Padalecki: Another Possible Jamie Fraser

Megs made a tremendous comment on my last blog entry... mentioning Jared Padalecki as a possible Jamie Fraser. He's from one of my favorite shows of all time (until the writers went and lost their damn minds and messed with the perfection that was "SUPERNATURAL".)  I know, I know, he's not Scottish - or even English or Irish for that matter... but just take a look at the photos over at MyOpera.com. Even if you still dinna think he has Jamie possibilities, it will be a lovely minute or so for your eyes.

Outlander REread: The Perfect Storm

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read OUTLANDER or CROSS STITCH. 

Sigh. I am in the thick of it now, lassies. Jamie's been gone for a while... Claire has been singing for her supper with Murtagh.... and I've been surrounded by the vast cloud of nothingness that is Jamie's absence. I knew it was coming - but it's been hard to deal with. Kindof like when you're headed into NYC via either the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel and you know it's going to be uncomfortable for the next few minutes... but you hit traffic and it ends up being ten times worse than you were expecting.

And now I'm at Wentworth - trying to bust Jamie out with Claire - headed down the stairway toward the torture chamber. In "Perfect Storm" language, I'm "headed right for the middle of the monster."

But there is a light in all this darkness. And that light goes by the name of Dougal MacKenzie.  Holy crap - I wasn't expecting what I got in the cave. I don't know why I thought Dougal was so horrible in that scene. A little smarmy - yes. A little shifty, of course. But he really had feelings for Geilie! Claire said she could tell from his reaction to her comments about her being dead (forgive me - I don't remember the exact phrase - but I believe it involved a "hint of a look of sadness" or something of that nature.) And yes - Dougal suggested Claire come home with him - but I canna necessarily blame him, ken? He expects Jamie to kick it in a matter of days, if not sooner, and he doesna think there is a thing he can do about it.  And Claire is one fine piece of 20th century tail.  Bottom line - I truly have to say I believe him. I think he cares - but thinks all hope is lost - and figures that life goes on. And I'll admit it - if Jamie had never been in the picture.... hmm.... seeing as my Dougal MacKenzie is Dougray Scott... weeeeeelllll... I canna say I'd have turned him down.

Sooooo.... I am looking forward to listening to this section... and I'm terrified to keep going.... but I know I must. That which does not kill us makes us stronger.

(And leads us to the promised land - aka - THE SULFUR SPRING!!!)

Outlander Chat Tonight

Outlander Chat Tonight! 9PM Eastern y'all. We will be discussing the reread... and Seussical the Musical... and most importantly COMICCON and some possible meet-up ideas (one of which will most ASSUREDLY involve Jock Tamson's Bairns.)

Outlander the Musical: Post Scriptum

When I posted that last entry about Outlander - The Musical, I hadn't heard the rest of the songs. I just listened to the rest of the songs...and since I am not really a fan of most musicals, I unfortunately just can't get excited about this.

Why? Well, for one, I can't get behind Jack Randall and Jamie singing to each other. I just can't.

I was thinking all the songs were like "Is Tu Fuil ‘o Mo Chuislean"...and was picturing a beautiful, soothing, Gaelic show that was different from the "musicals" we're used to seeing on Broadway.

Please understand that I have the utmost respect for all of the talented people who are involved in all aspects of this project. I say 'more power to them' for doing it. But it's just not my cup of tea. I'm thrilled for all of you who are excited for this; I truly am. And when and if there is a movie or series, I'll be excited too.

In fact - maybe AFTER a movie or series has been made, shown and put to rest, I could possibly get behind this. I can't say enough to make sure it's understood that I'm not bashing this project at all. I don't want to be negative about it; just to voice my opinion. I have even revised this post multiple times, just to make sure everyone understands where I'm coming from.

(I just ended a sentence in a preposition... and that gives me the willies... so I need to shut up now.)

Outlander the Musical

I'm a little late to the party on this... but I have to post about Outlander the Musical. CHECK OUT THAT WEBSITE and prepare to SQUEEEEE your FACE off!!

Honestly though - I have mixed feelings about this. I am in love with the idea of a collection of Outlander songs - with beautiful singing - some Gaelic - and breathtaking, ethereal music - oh yeah...I can handle that. I may, in fact, flip out to the point of being committed to a rubber room over it.

But "Outlander the Musical"? I think I'm having problems with the word "musical".  I'm sure it would be a stunning production that would bring me to my knees in a puddle of tears cried for Jamie and Claire - a la Les Mis or Phantom. And yet - the word "musical" conjures up thoughts of Danny and Sandy frolicking around Greased Lightning in their leather and spandex. Not Jamie and Claire professing their love whilst not being gentle about it.

Purgatory Randy

This is hilarious. Well - to Tracey and me, at least. It's our father - being silly - and dancing and bag-piping to Scotland the Brave in my kitchen (which looks uncomfortably yellow in this video).  Now you know where WE get it.

What Could Be...

Tracey and I saw this clip when we went to see Eclipse - and the outdoor Scotland scenes killed us. Up on the big screen... set to powerful music... you know where I'm going with this.

Pillars of the Earth TONIGHT on Starz!

Just a reminder - PILLARS OF THE EARTH starts tonight on Starz! 

Bring on Tom Builder!!!

Jock Tamson's Bairns

Stopped by Jock Tamson's Bairns in the city yesterday with Tom and the kids. It's the only authentic Scottish-owned and run bar in NYC.

One word: Awesome.

The owner's name is Gavin and he's from Glasgow. He's a funny guy who was suffering from a bit of a hangover from the previous evening; the poor guy did not look like he was having a very easy time of it. And yet, he was still really friendly to my family.

The bartender (and "musician by trade") is Aiden. Aiden MACKENZIE. And he's from THE HIGHLANDS. Just above Inverness. And while in the midst of conversation, the man actually floated the S-biscuit. Wondering what that means?

That means a Highlander named MacKenzie looked me in the face and casually used the word "Sassenach" in regular conversation.

I can now die a happy woman.

Jock Tamson's Bairns is fully stocked with every whisky imaginable. They're a cozy little joint with lots of Scottish feel - lots of it exuding from the plentiful Scottish accents behind the bar.  Aiden knew his whisky inside out and backwards - and was more than happy to share that knowledge with me...right down to theorizing about its origins.  (And theorizing about the Picts. Fascinating guy... absolutely. He even made me a whisky-based concoction called " The Aiden" - and didn't make me feel a bit uncomfortable for not ordering it neat.) The place has an authentic tin ceiling... and a couple of couches at the end of the long bar.  Most likely these are for taking a load off whilst you text your friends and say "JESUS GOD, A HOT MACKENZIE FROM THE HIGHLANDS JUST SAID "SASSENACH" TO ME!"

Not that I did that from the couch or anything...

I did it from my barstool. :)

Will We Ever Find a Jamie Fraser?

Oh. My. God. The comments from the last post about a possible Jamie have been delicious. Seriously.

I get what was said about the eyes not being cat-like enough... and him not being big enough (although that might be able to be remedied with lifting and body-building; depends on the actor's bone structure). One thing I will say is that Tracey is right; you really have to see someone moving around to get a feel for whether they'd be a good Jamie.

Unfortch - I have never seen anyone who has ALL of Jamie's qualities and I don't think we ever will. If they make a movie/series (yawn... getting tired of even talking about it because it seems as though it will never happen - and in some ways that is a good thing) they will have to compromise somewhere.

I think it comes down to this: What traits will you absolutely, positively NOT compromise on?

Yet Another Possible Jamie Fraser

So I'm sitting in the salon tonight... reading the August issue of In Style magazine... and I see this ad for True Religion jeans:

And I immediately texted Tracey and said "Quick! Google the guy from New Religion jeans!"

And then I came home and Googled. And Googled. And Googled some more. Yowsa. Tommy Dunn is the model's name. Not a half bad Jamie Fraser, y'all.

I Didn't Watch for the Watch

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read 3/4ths of Outlander. 

How could this have happened?!  I have been listening to Outlander tonight... Claire told Jamie she loves him... Jenny had baby Maggie... all was right with the world...and then next thing I know...

BAM!!!  

Jamie's gone! Oh, he's GONE! (said like Rudolph)  Ian came riding along on a strange horse - sans peg - and I'm like "Ohhhhh NOOOO! I didna know! I didna REALIZE! I don't even think I knew Jamie WENT anywhere!" (that's what I get for watering flowers whilst listening to Davina's soothing voice).

Sigh. Now... we wait. And wait. And wait s'more. I am sad, sassenachs. For I know that even when we find him.. he won't be "him" for a verra, verra long time.

Fasten your seatbelts... we're about to hit some turbulence. (Understatement... party of 1?!)

RANDOM JACK RANDALL SHOT!

I canna help it. Jason Isaacs was on Harry Potter the other night and I started making a very high-pitched, involuntary noise... which the rest of my family thankfully ignored. Bottom line: He. Scares. The. Bejesus. Out. Of. Me.  And yet.... I think he's verra tasty.

Outlander Chat Tonight!

Outlander CHAT tonight! 9PM Eastern. What do I want to talk about? LALLYBROCH!  And anything else ye want to discuss!

Scotland. What Else?

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

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

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

Lallybroch.. Lallybroch.. Oh Lally Lallybroch..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gung Haggis Fat Choy

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

Outlander ReRead Videos!

British Open at St. Andrews this Weekend!

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

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

*Thanks to PolKandMagazine.com for the photo.

What Happened at the Cottage?!

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

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

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

The Most Beautiful Song on the Planet

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Outlander Bracelet

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read VOYAGER. 

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





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

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

Redeeming Qualities

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

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

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

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

Outlander Chat Tonight

Chat tonight! 9PM Eastern!  I want to know what YOU think Colum knew about Claire getting mixed up in Geilie's witch trial!

What Did They Know?!

SPOILER ALERT:  Dinna read unless you've read chapter 25 in Outlander. 

OK so here's the thing. Claire is sitting in the shed - eating bread and wine that thankfully does NOT have any dooty on it. (Was that gross or was that gross? And she and Geilie ate it!) And I'm sitting here listening and wondering "Has she even washed her hands since then?!?"  I cannot IMAGINE living in that time. I just can't. I'm sorry.

And I'm wondering a zillion things. Does Colum know Claire is being tried with Geilie? He must. And if he does, can't he put a STOP to it? He's the Laird!  I know he wants Geilie to burn... but come on man! Claire is your nephew's WIFE who - last time I checked - you kindof like. As far as I know, Colum thinks Claire is swell. Unless we're going to find out differently when The Exile comes out.

OK so - more. Dougal is off with Jamie... knowing it's going to be "taken care of". (Typical men, btw. What did you THINK was going to happen, dude? You put your thingie in her hoo-hoo! That can happen! Sex Ed 101!) But if he knew Claire was with Geilie - would he care? I'm thinking "No". COMMA HOWEVER - he wouldn't want Claire to die for the simple fact that she solves his property and succession problems with Jamie. So I dunno... I'm sortof thinking Dougal would try to help if he could.

I just can't get past Colum. He knows Claire is in trouble and does nothing to stop it? WTF?

And then... there's LaogWHORE. Snotty little beotch from Planet Hell. She is the scourge of the earth... the dregs of society. Selfish little piggie. She's evil from the word "go".  COME ON! She sent Claire to Geilie's KNOWING there was going to be a witch trial! She KNEW what would happen! I don't buy this "Oh Leghair wasn't really trying to have Claire killed." Oh really? Then what was she trying to do, send Claire down for a little crumbcake and marigold leaf? No way man. She knew. She's vile. SHE'S the WITCH who should be hangit!

Post Scriptum: My daughter just came over to show me something she drew - and I went to say "Hang on" and I said "Hangit" - because that's what I was typing at the time. And she goes "Hangit? Huh?"

I'm still laughing....

And Speaking of Ned Gowan

So I'm sitting in Toy Story 3 last night... and am I thinking about Woody or Buzz Lightyear? NO! I'm thinking about NED GOWAN! Why? Because it only took me 3 movies to realize Rex the dinosaur's voice is coming out of Wallace Shawn - aka "MY NED"!!!

Sliding Doors, Outlander Style

Ya know... I sortof have this "Other Outlander Universe".  It's like the sideways life in "LOST".... or a "what could have been", if you will.  It's a place where things turned out differently, based on the thought that one small decision change could have brought on a totally different outcome. (Think "Sliding Doors").

So in my Sideways Outlander world, Geilie and Dougal actually get married and live at Leoch after the Fiscal and Dougal's wife both died. They're just sickeningly fun characters... and I think of all the antics and hijinks Claire and Geilie could have gotten involved in at the castle. Geilie whispering to Claire about Laogwhore's naughty travels around the castle.... Jamie and Claire getting into heated arguments about Claire's friendship with Geilie (just THINK of the make-up sex!!)... Dougal coming home wounded after battle and us getting to see Geilie's softer side as she gives ministrations to Dougal.

Am I the only one who thinks up these things in my brain?

So it's Possible?

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read up through Voyager. 

WHAT in god's name did Geillis mean when she and Claire were being held captive... and she started asking Claire about Jamie... and she said "So it's possible"?  I assume she means "It's possible to go through the stones and find love"??

When I first read Outlander I never clued in that Geillis might know Claire was from the future. Now I totally get that - and that's why she gave her the opium and tried to find out where she came from. Damn well would have succeeded too, had the Fiscal not come in. Geillis must have had a major suspicion about Claire from Day 1. I wish she would have come right out and asked her.

OK so here's my question. If Claire knew that Colum and Dougal were talking about Geilie - and not Laogwhore - do you think she would have warned Geilie that they were going to off her?

Discuss!

PS - Have I mentioned that Cathy Moriarty has been my Geillis Duncan since the second I saw her name? I am thinking she could play older Geillis at this point?

No Chat Tonight

We're going to cancel chat tonight in observance of Independence Day. We hope you've all had a wonderful weekend (and for those who are still enjoying it; ROCK ON!)

The Declaration of Independence - July 4th, 1776

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Androgynous Kilt Hotness

This is a tremendous picture, sent in by Angie, one of our best My Outlander Purgatory buds.  Here's what I canna figure out. Is it a guy or a girl???  Honestly I'm starting to think it's a woman - and it looks like it could have come from a fashion show... like Alexander McQueen's "Highland Rape" collection from 1995... or something Highland-inspired.

Am I totally off the mark here? Is it obvious that it's a guy? Or a girl? My husband just said "It's a woman! Look at the hands!" But the knees look like a guy's to me.  Is that because of the way the kilt is hitting her? Or him? Is it Pat? Pat MacGreggor of the Clan MacGreggor?! Seriously. I'm perplexed! What do you think??

Over the River and Through the Woods to Jamie Fraser's Bedroll we Go!

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have gotten to chapter 19 in "OUTLANDER". 

OK y'all.... the last time I blogged about my reread,  Leg Hair was jumping Jamie in the alcove (I refuse to see it any other way.)  So I think it's time I did a little blogging... don't you? Mkayyyyy let's get started.

They. Got. Married. And I cannot TELL you what fun I had, listening to Davina wax on about the fly in the green puddle on the bar. I dinna know why, but I have always felt a certain bond with that scene. I can totally put myself in Claire's position in that scene... and it absolutely cracks me up. She's surrounded by people... and yet she's all alone. And she's owning it. She's saying to herself "Well this is a fine mess  youve gotten yourself into, Beauchamp...better just embrace it and marry the bugger." And I'd be saying the same damned thing. So there she is... almost falling off the bar stool... and what I REALLY want to know is 1) WHO got her off the barstool and 2) WHO undressed her down to her shift and put her to bed? I am going to assume Murtagh got her off the barstool and fetched the innkeeper's wife to undress her. I canna imagine any of the men would have done it. Hell, Jamie wouldna even sleep on her floor! Remember?!

Anyway... it is so DIFFERENT, reading it now, when you KNOW the outcome. During my first read, I was totally with Claire in her desire to get back home. The fact that she had gone through the stones was always running in the background in my mind (like some annoying Microsoft program you don't even know is clogging up your harddrive until you see the blue screen of death and it's all over with.) So THIS TIME I'm like "EFF THE DAMN STONES, WOMAN! STAY WHERE JAMIE TELLS YOU TO STAY YOU MORON!" If I were her - NOW that I know what happens - I'd be making every excuse to fetch water... or wash clothes down by the pond... or pick berries... or do anything that meant Jamie was going to come with me as a bodyguard - and we were going to have wild monkey sex in the ferns. Seriously, y'all. Doesn't it kill you the second time around???

For you Twilight fans (Non-Twihards, just skip this part...and dinna judge!) - don't you see Claire like Bella when you do the reread and she leaves to go find Fort William and the stones? The first go round had me saying "Yeah Claire - you go girl - you're tough - you can travel 7 miles and find the stones!!"  This time I'm all "BELLA CLAIRE, YOU DOPE" - he told you to stay there - so STAY THERE!!  He'll be back and once again you'll be playing "Hide the Haggis" with Jamie under the blankets while Murtagh's snoring 2 feet away! Pure bliss!!!" But noooooo....instead she's got to try to escape... fail miserably... and end up in Jack Randall's office, where she is now. And something I don't get - why doesn't she ever even TRY to reason with Randall? They're both English. Can't she use her English charms on him and just say "Look, honestly, I haven't done anything wrong. I'm sorry you think I'm someone I'm not. But please try to understand I'm alone and the Highlanders offered me a place to sleep and protection and there really isn't any more to it than that." Now I KNOW Black Jack would have probably just laughed at her because he's a sadistic mofo - but it still irks me that she never tries. She just keeps giving him her sassy little retorts that are just enraging him even further.

OK before I go - let me say this - the scene where the Grants attacked them while they were camped out on the granite (ouch)?? Holy god -I forgot all about that. And I am now visualizing it SO WELL! I hope y'all got your free Outlander audio... because it is so different when you LISTEN to the story. You can form pictures in your mind and totally lose yourself in the scene. I am glad I READ it first... but now it's like dessert. Just sit back... and listen....while spooning more of the gooey chocolate stuff into your mouth.

Get a Free Audio Book!

"My Outlander Purgatory" friend JENNIFER let us in on some serious scoop: Audible.com is offering a FREE audio book... no credit card required! And guess what book is on the list you can pick from? That's right - OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon! (You know, the book I just paid iTunes $29.95 for last week? Yeah! THAT one!)

Hurry up! You have to order by FRIDAY 7/2 at 11:59PM.

PS - THANKS JENNIFER!!