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Wednesday, June 29, 2011
We're Not Worthy v.2.0
Full tank of gas, $60. NJ Transit ticket to NYC, $13.50. Being greeted at St. Andrews by Diana's husband Doug saying "Carol and Tracey!"...PRICELESS!
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Meeting a Friend for Dinner
Sooooo...Tracey and I are on the train on our way into NYC. We are meeting a group from Compuserve for dinner. Can you guess who is the guest of honor? More to come!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Um...huh?
Gerard Butler: Wetsuit & Waves! | Gerard Butler : Just Jared
Scots actors Gerard Butler and Ewan McGregor battle it out for Outlander hero role - The Daily Record
Can someone please confirm these statements supposedly made by Diana Gabaldon...meaning when and where she made them? Um, I could see her saying this...in 1995. Ewan McGregor?? Wouldn't she think he's way too old? I'm confused.
Scots actors Gerard Butler and Ewan McGregor battle it out for Outlander hero role - The Daily Record
Can someone please confirm these statements supposedly made by Diana Gabaldon...meaning when and where she made them? Um, I could see her saying this...in 1995. Ewan McGregor?? Wouldn't she think he's way too old? I'm confused.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The View from Port Glagow
Got this two days ago from my friend Hugh who lives in Port Glasgow, Scotland.
The email read: Just took this from the house 5 minutes ago.
Dang.
The email read: Just took this from the house 5 minutes ago.
Dang.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Questions for (85 Year Old) Aunt Helen - Outlander Lover!
Here are previous commentary from the famous 85 year old Outlander lover, "Aunt Helen". Have a look at these and think of some questions you'd like her to answer...and post your comments by 3PM Eastern Standard time!
1. I would have called you earlier in the week but was too busy reading the book to take the time.
2. I was good how she (DG) made it so Frank is not the descendant of BJR.
3.I am so glad they cut Sandringham's head off. He shouldn't have been sneaking around trying to hurt Claire.
4. The part that made me really sad was when Furgus wanted Jamie to kill him for not protecting Claire from the attack.
5.I have been letting my housework go all week cuz I don't have time to do it.
6. I like the way the story changes from Claire telling us the story to it being told in 3rd person. (I do too)
7. I went ahead and started Voyager cuz I couldn't wait until after I called you.
8. I was sorry Jamie had to kill Dugal, but Dugal was a fanatic by then and couldn't be reasoned with.
9. (I asked her what she thought of Roger.) She said she REALLY likes Roger - but not quite as much as Jamie. quote "I'm a big fan of Jamie Fraser."
10. She (DG) must really plan ahead and have detailed outlines to keep everything straight and weave the story lines like she does.
11. I really liked the nun at the hospital, but I loved her dog. (Aunt Helen has always loved her dogs)
12.It is funny who we make into heros, Bonnie Prince Charlie was a disaster yet he is made out to be a hero. (Then she went on about Hitler and a woman she knew who had admired him)
13. Can you imagine the smell! I read about King Louie and remember he only took a bath once a year. If the weather was bad he would skip that year, (she was feeling sorry for Clair having to boink him) No wonder they had to invent so may perfumes in France.
14. Then Aunt Helen talked about a trip we took to Scotland and said she was so disappointed that we didn't see any men running around in kilts cuz she would have liked that.
15. She remembered a large painting we saw in one of castles we visited of a large man in a kilt. She said she thinks Jamie probably looked like that.
16. "You know, those men don't wear anything under their kilts." OMG
Aunt Helen called with her report on Voyager.
1. (first thing out of her mouth) I have misplaced Furgus’ wife? I haven’t been able to figure out where she is. (I assured her that she would find out)
2. I started this book and wondered where was the story was going if Claire didn’t go back. I wanted that Jamie back in the book.
3. Poor Jamie, being in prison was worse than anything. (Then she went on about the bad conditions in prisons from that era, she knows a lot about history)
4. Then she talked about what happened after Culloden – what the British did to the people and about a mini ice age that hurt the crops.
5. It is hard to know how to judge Frank; sometimes I think they (he and Claire) had a decent married life.
6. Why didn’t Claire take more back with her? I would have made a coat with pockets all inside it and filled them up. I would have taken more pictures of things back too.
7. I thought it would take forever for Claire to find Jamie after she went back but no; he was just standing right there in the shop.
8. I question the time-line and the ages of Leghair. It doesn’t seem like she is the right age in this book.
9. I was surprised Jenny fixed Jamie up with Leghair. If I had been Clair I would have told Jamie about Leghair.
10. Campbell was a real slime ball. He sounded like Jack the Ripper.
11. I was surprised John was gay.
12. ( At the governor’s ball) I really wanted to see Jamie all dressed up in his high heels. I liked that picture in my mind. No wonder all the women have a thing for him (pause) and the men too.
13. Geillis really turned out to be a really bad person; she is like a black widow spider.
14. It is a good thing Jamie let Ian go with that prostitute because it saved him from whatever rights Geillis was going to put him through.
15. Geillis must have been really crazy with syphilis. (Then she told me about when she was in college taking a psyc class. She went on a field trip to a VD ward and they let the college students roam around with the patients. And that some of the other patients were in for epilepsy or hyperactivity.)
16. She (DG) is really getting rid of the villains in this story; she must need room for some new ones.
17. She (DG) is a good story teller.
18. When Jamie locked the British Solders in the hold of the ship, what happened to them? I don’t remember them getting out.
19. (Laughing) After the hurricane, and all the other things they went thru they happen to wash up next to a nice house with people in it.
October 15, 2010 8:14 PM
My Aunt Helen called with a report on her reading of Drums of Autumn. Here are some of her comments.
1. I want Ulysses to stand around and put things in my hand. (Aunt Helen is almost as blind as Jocasta.)
2. I have noticed that Jamie does something first then thinks about it later.
3. I am glad Ian didn’t shoot Roger – I can just see Roger’s name with a line through it.
4. I got to the part where they gave Roger to the Indians and I just about fell off my chair – I just couldn’t go to bed.
5. I wonder if there really is a henge in South Carolina.
6. How could somebody (Roger) raised in the city go around barefooted? First he lost his shoes then he had them – maybe the Indians gave them back to him.
7. They (Jamie and Claire) always have misunderstandings. Claire’s main way to solve problems is to have sex.
8. I am wearing clothes that don’t have to be ironed because I don’t have time to iron them.
9. It was cute when Ian got dressed up with bear grease and asked Bree to marry him.
10. Jocasta sure had a hard time getting an heir. 11. I wondered about Jocasta and Ulysses, in real life you just wouldn’t be so familiar.
12. DG really has trouble with ages and dates or maybe I can’t keep up.
13. How will Roger and Bree get back together after all they said to each other?
14. Did I miss something? What happened to Willie and Jamie? One minute they were on a trip to see the Indians – the next minute Willie was gone.
15. I am tired, it was nice to leave that book behind.
1. I would have called you earlier in the week but was too busy reading the book to take the time.
2. I was good how she (DG) made it so Frank is not the descendant of BJR.
3.I am so glad they cut Sandringham's head off. He shouldn't have been sneaking around trying to hurt Claire.
4. The part that made me really sad was when Furgus wanted Jamie to kill him for not protecting Claire from the attack.
5.I have been letting my housework go all week cuz I don't have time to do it.
6. I like the way the story changes from Claire telling us the story to it being told in 3rd person. (I do too)
7. I went ahead and started Voyager cuz I couldn't wait until after I called you.
8. I was sorry Jamie had to kill Dugal, but Dugal was a fanatic by then and couldn't be reasoned with.
9. (I asked her what she thought of Roger.) She said she REALLY likes Roger - but not quite as much as Jamie. quote "I'm a big fan of Jamie Fraser."
10. She (DG) must really plan ahead and have detailed outlines to keep everything straight and weave the story lines like she does.
11. I really liked the nun at the hospital, but I loved her dog. (Aunt Helen has always loved her dogs)
12.It is funny who we make into heros, Bonnie Prince Charlie was a disaster yet he is made out to be a hero. (Then she went on about Hitler and a woman she knew who had admired him)
13. Can you imagine the smell! I read about King Louie and remember he only took a bath once a year. If the weather was bad he would skip that year, (she was feeling sorry for Clair having to boink him) No wonder they had to invent so may perfumes in France.
14. Then Aunt Helen talked about a trip we took to Scotland and said she was so disappointed that we didn't see any men running around in kilts cuz she would have liked that.
15. She remembered a large painting we saw in one of castles we visited of a large man in a kilt. She said she thinks Jamie probably looked like that.
16. "You know, those men don't wear anything under their kilts." OMG
Aunt Helen called with her report on Voyager.
1. (first thing out of her mouth) I have misplaced Furgus’ wife? I haven’t been able to figure out where she is. (I assured her that she would find out)
2. I started this book and wondered where was the story was going if Claire didn’t go back. I wanted that Jamie back in the book.
3. Poor Jamie, being in prison was worse than anything. (Then she went on about the bad conditions in prisons from that era, she knows a lot about history)
4. Then she talked about what happened after Culloden – what the British did to the people and about a mini ice age that hurt the crops.
5. It is hard to know how to judge Frank; sometimes I think they (he and Claire) had a decent married life.
6. Why didn’t Claire take more back with her? I would have made a coat with pockets all inside it and filled them up. I would have taken more pictures of things back too.
7. I thought it would take forever for Claire to find Jamie after she went back but no; he was just standing right there in the shop.
8. I question the time-line and the ages of Leghair. It doesn’t seem like she is the right age in this book.
9. I was surprised Jenny fixed Jamie up with Leghair. If I had been Clair I would have told Jamie about Leghair.
10. Campbell was a real slime ball. He sounded like Jack the Ripper.
11. I was surprised John was gay.
12. ( At the governor’s ball) I really wanted to see Jamie all dressed up in his high heels. I liked that picture in my mind. No wonder all the women have a thing for him (pause) and the men too.
13. Geillis really turned out to be a really bad person; she is like a black widow spider.
14. It is a good thing Jamie let Ian go with that prostitute because it saved him from whatever rights Geillis was going to put him through.
15. Geillis must have been really crazy with syphilis. (Then she told me about when she was in college taking a psyc class. She went on a field trip to a VD ward and they let the college students roam around with the patients. And that some of the other patients were in for epilepsy or hyperactivity.)
16. She (DG) is really getting rid of the villains in this story; she must need room for some new ones.
17. She (DG) is a good story teller.
18. When Jamie locked the British Solders in the hold of the ship, what happened to them? I don’t remember them getting out.
19. (Laughing) After the hurricane, and all the other things they went thru they happen to wash up next to a nice house with people in it.
October 15, 2010 8:14 PM
My Aunt Helen called with a report on her reading of Drums of Autumn. Here are some of her comments.
1. I want Ulysses to stand around and put things in my hand. (Aunt Helen is almost as blind as Jocasta.)
2. I have noticed that Jamie does something first then thinks about it later.
3. I am glad Ian didn’t shoot Roger – I can just see Roger’s name with a line through it.
4. I got to the part where they gave Roger to the Indians and I just about fell off my chair – I just couldn’t go to bed.
5. I wonder if there really is a henge in South Carolina.
6. How could somebody (Roger) raised in the city go around barefooted? First he lost his shoes then he had them – maybe the Indians gave them back to him.
7. They (Jamie and Claire) always have misunderstandings. Claire’s main way to solve problems is to have sex.
8. I am wearing clothes that don’t have to be ironed because I don’t have time to iron them.
9. It was cute when Ian got dressed up with bear grease and asked Bree to marry him.
10. Jocasta sure had a hard time getting an heir. 11. I wondered about Jocasta and Ulysses, in real life you just wouldn’t be so familiar.
12. DG really has trouble with ages and dates or maybe I can’t keep up.
13. How will Roger and Bree get back together after all they said to each other?
14. Did I miss something? What happened to Willie and Jamie? One minute they were on a trip to see the Indians – the next minute Willie was gone.
15. I am tired, it was nice to leave that book behind.
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Highly Anticipated Aunt Helen Interview!
OK Y'all - we have it on good authority that L's "Aunt Helen" is visiting her tomorrow...and we're going to try our darndest to...
SKYPE WITH AUNT HELEN!
SO - does anyone have any questions for sweet 80-something year old Aunt Helen who LOVES herself some Outlander?? Don't be shy...let's hear 'em!
SKYPE WITH AUNT HELEN!
SO - does anyone have any questions for sweet 80-something year old Aunt Helen who LOVES herself some Outlander?? Don't be shy...let's hear 'em!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
More Hubby Fun with Outlander
SPOILER ALERT: Don't read unless you've read 61% of Outlander.
OK y'all - my Tom (that's a Bronze Horsemanism. MY Tom) has finally gotten to the witch trial! Ooooh I'm so jealous! And I totally forgot that Claire doesn't mention Geillis' vaccination scar until after Jamie saves her and they talk...and almost let the cat out of the bag! It went something like this:
Carol: "Um...did Claire mention anything about Geillis?"
DH:"Uh...that she's pregnant?"
Carol: "Maybe something slightly more wee about her?"
DH: "Huh?"
It was at that point that I realized I needed a big, ol' cup of shut-the-eff-up or I'd be giving a huge spoiler!
I then told Tom about my big screen version of that scene, where Jamie gallantly rides in on his horse and rescues Claire whilst Bono is heard in the background yelling "All I want is youuuuuu! All I want is youuuuuu!" Um...yeah. He wasn't exactly as blown away as I am by my vision. If only I could reach in and grab it out of my head.
PS - Hub will SO be reading The Bronze Horseman after this. I think he'll need a break before Dragonfly...and let's be honest...all that talk of war? Men "live for that shit" like grandparents live for birthdays.
OK y'all - my Tom (that's a Bronze Horsemanism. MY Tom) has finally gotten to the witch trial! Ooooh I'm so jealous! And I totally forgot that Claire doesn't mention Geillis' vaccination scar until after Jamie saves her and they talk...and almost let the cat out of the bag! It went something like this:
Carol: "Um...did Claire mention anything about Geillis?"
DH:"Uh...that she's pregnant?"
Carol: "Maybe something slightly more wee about her?"
DH: "Huh?"
It was at that point that I realized I needed a big, ol' cup of shut-the-eff-up or I'd be giving a huge spoiler!
I then told Tom about my big screen version of that scene, where Jamie gallantly rides in on his horse and rescues Claire whilst Bono is heard in the background yelling "All I want is youuuuuu! All I want is youuuuuu!" Um...yeah. He wasn't exactly as blown away as I am by my vision. If only I could reach in and grab it out of my head.
PS - Hub will SO be reading The Bronze Horseman after this. I think he'll need a break before Dragonfly...and let's be honest...all that talk of war? Men "live for that shit" like grandparents live for birthdays.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Outlander Chat Tonight
Outlander Chat Tonight - 9PM Eastern Standard Time! Although I have to apologize right now because I may have to cut out early and finish reading Book 2 in The Bronze Horseman series. You guys have gotten me so ensconced that I can't even drag my face out of this book. Can someone please go pick up my kids at school? ;)
PS - My hub is halfway through Outlander. I'll have some good male observations for tonight's chat. He's like "Thankfully, I think I'm past the parts about the hair on Jamie's knuckles". ROFLMAO!!
PS - My hub is halfway through Outlander. I'll have some good male observations for tonight's chat. He's like "Thankfully, I think I'm past the parts about the hair on Jamie's knuckles". ROFLMAO!!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Outlandish Observations 20th Anniversary Edition CONTEST
Listen up, y'all. Karen's got a WAY cool contest running over at Outlandish Observations. See details below!
The Prize: An autographed copy of the 20th Anniversary Edition, signed by Diana Gabaldon (and inscribed with the winner's name, if you like).
The Rules:
1) Write a short (no more than 500 words, please!) description of what OUTLANDER means to you. Topics may include:
- How did you find the series?
- What's the most interesting, amusing, or unusual experience you've had as a result of reading the books?
- What are some of your favorite scenes?
- How many times have you read the books?
- Have you tried to get other people to read the books?
- What do you like best about the OUTLANDER fan community?
- And anything else you'd like to say to Diana in honor of this 20th anniversary.
Feel free to add your own ideas, if you think of something I've left out.
2) Submit your contest entry:
- You can post your entry here on Outlandish Observations, by leaving a comment on this blog post. (Please make sure to include your name and email address so I can contact you if you win!)
OR - By email, to Karen.L.Henry@gmail.com. Please use the subject line "OUTLANDER 20th Anniversary Contest". (And don't forget to sign your name.)
Please don't post contest entries on Facebook. It's too difficult for me to keep track of them there.
Contest Ends: June 30, 2011 at midnight Eastern Time. The winner will be chosen at random on July 1, 2011.
Who is eligible?
Anyone can enter this contest, even if you live outside the US. (One entry per person, please!) I will arrange with the Poisoned Pen bookstore to ship the book directly to you if you win. (The Poisoned Pen is Diana Gabaldon's local independent bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona. She says they ship all over the world.)
For Diana
If there is enough interest in this contest, I plan to collect all of the entries and send them to Diana as a 20th-anniversary gift. (Please don't mention this on Compuserve. I'd like to keep it a surprise if I can. Thanks!)
Questions?
If you have any questions about this contest, please feel free to post them here, or contact me.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
And So it Begins
My DH is truly digging his 2nd go at Outlander. They just left to collect the rents and Jamie and Claire will soon be married.
What is he hung up on? The fact that Claire didn't seem to have much of anything on her person that would show she's from the future when she went through the stones. I keep trying to tell him she had shorter hair (a long bob?) at that time - and wasn't a big jewelry person (other than Frank's ring)...but he's not buying it. "Not a plastic comb in her hair? Not a watch? Not a pence or a pound note in her pocket?"
I told him she was just going up to the hill to pick herbs and it didn't seem odd to me that she didn't have any of those things with her (none that I remember, anyway). I then told him when all else fails...suspend disbelief!
He also asked why Dougal would allow BJR to punch Claire in the stomach. I told him a) "Dougal's a bit of a douche" and b) "Dougal didn't trust Claire either...and he certainly doesn't want BJR to think he's in cahoots with her!" That seemed to do the trick.
Onward and Jamieward!
What is he hung up on? The fact that Claire didn't seem to have much of anything on her person that would show she's from the future when she went through the stones. I keep trying to tell him she had shorter hair (a long bob?) at that time - and wasn't a big jewelry person (other than Frank's ring)...but he's not buying it. "Not a plastic comb in her hair? Not a watch? Not a pence or a pound note in her pocket?"
I told him she was just going up to the hill to pick herbs and it didn't seem odd to me that she didn't have any of those things with her (none that I remember, anyway). I then told him when all else fails...suspend disbelief!
He also asked why Dougal would allow BJR to punch Claire in the stomach. I told him a) "Dougal's a bit of a douche" and b) "Dougal didn't trust Claire either...and he certainly doesn't want BJR to think he's in cahoots with her!" That seemed to do the trick.
Onward and Jamieward!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
A Whole House of Outlander!
IT HAS FINALLY HAPPENED! My hub is reading Outlander!! And LOVING it. He tried last year and stopped after one too many mentions of James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser's hot bod. But all these months of watching me chat on Mondays and listening to me wax on about Scotland's history (while HE'S of Scottish descent) has proved too much for him. He canna have an Irish/Italian wifey knowing more about his heritage than HE does. And let's face it, most of everything I know about Scotland, I've learned from Diana Gabaldon.
And so it begins. Tom is at Castle Leoch and Claire is about to start helping Colum out by treating the sick.
And get THIS - I just heard him outside explaining the story to my 9 year old daughter. You know, the pesky one who shows up in our videos from time to time, giving Tracey and me rabbit ears? Yeah - that one. Never has she asked her crazy-assed MOTHER about the story - oh no. Just my own beloved Scotsman. I love it! You should HEAR him out there telling her all about the standing stones and Claire's time travel. I wish I had this on video!!!
Stay tuned, lads and lassies. This...is getting good.
PS - Amede - you might have to share chat with another man one of these days! (We won't hold our breath, though...my hub still thinks the internet is a fad. LOL)
And so it begins. Tom is at Castle Leoch and Claire is about to start helping Colum out by treating the sick.
And get THIS - I just heard him outside explaining the story to my 9 year old daughter. You know, the pesky one who shows up in our videos from time to time, giving Tracey and me rabbit ears? Yeah - that one. Never has she asked her crazy-assed MOTHER about the story - oh no. Just my own beloved Scotsman. I love it! You should HEAR him out there telling her all about the standing stones and Claire's time travel. I wish I had this on video!!!
Stay tuned, lads and lassies. This...is getting good.
PS - Amede - you might have to share chat with another man one of these days! (We won't hold our breath, though...my hub still thinks the internet is a fad. LOL)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
More Methadone: "Monarch of the Glen"
Lads and Lassies, I have something totally serious to say...so please listen up. It may seem like a repeat, but it is much more heartfelt than anything I've ever posted about the topic in the past.If you have not seen Monarch of the Glen, you are truly doing yourself a disservice. It is absolutely Outlander Prep 101. Not only does it convey life on a Highland estate - past and present - but it is one of the BEST series I've ever had the pleasure of watching. I feel almost honored to be able to take part in such a fantastic story...and I know you will agree, being the massive Outlander fans you are.
Please don't read the comments if you haven't seen this show...because there are bound to be spoilers. Trust me - you don't want to know what happens. The show is too damned good.
Notice there are no links in this post. Whatever you do, I beg you NOT to make the mistake I did. Don't go snooping on IMDB or googling the show and the actors. You will find out things you'll wish you didn't know, a la Tracey and Echo. Enough said.
Methadone Help: The Bronze Horseman
SPOILER ALERT: I have just started The Bronze Horseman from Paullina Simons!
OK - so I just started The Bronze Horseman. They have just made the announcement about Germany attacking...and Tatiana's family is wondering whether to send her brother away to avoid him being taken.
Can somebody please give me some mentoring here? Because I am kindof bored (ducks). And I'm assuming it'll get better and I know there's romance...but right now I'm a little "meh"...and I need someone to say "Nooooo...keep reading...it gets awesome." Gracias.
PS - Just for the record - I never felt this way about Outlander. I admit, early on you're a little "OK...yeah...mmm hmmm" but I love Scotland, so I was pretty into it immediately.
POST SCRIPT: Years later, this post makes me giggle. Not only did I LOVE The Bronze Horseman trilogy (and prequel(s))...but I have a blog for that, too. :) ENJOY!
OK - so I just started The Bronze Horseman. They have just made the announcement about Germany attacking...and Tatiana's family is wondering whether to send her brother away to avoid him being taken.
Can somebody please give me some mentoring here? Because I am kindof bored (ducks). And I'm assuming it'll get better and I know there's romance...but right now I'm a little "meh"...and I need someone to say "Nooooo...keep reading...it gets awesome." Gracias.
PS - Just for the record - I never felt this way about Outlander. I admit, early on you're a little "OK...yeah...mmm hmmm" but I love Scotland, so I was pretty into it immediately.
POST SCRIPT: Years later, this post makes me giggle. Not only did I LOVE The Bronze Horseman trilogy (and prequel(s))...but I have a blog for that, too. :) ENJOY!
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