ComicCon NYC 2010 - ROLLCALL

ComicCon is quickly approaching, y'all.

If you're going to be in NYC on October 8th and/or 9th - comment here and let us know!

At this point, the My Outlander Purgatory girls are planning on hitting up Jock Tamson's Bairns on Saturday - it's the only truly Scottish owned-and-operated bar in the city. We hope to be there at around 4PM if anyone is staying the weekend! Keep in mind that JTB's is a small place that doesn't serve food. But the whisky. My GOD, the whisky. And did I mention the real life Highlander behind the bar - Aiden MACKENZIE -  who actually used the term "sassenach" in casual conversation? Oh yeah. I thought I did.

Hope to see you all in NYC!!

PS - Sorry we'll miss those of you who aren't going but I haven't given up on my Purgatory Tour of Scotland just yet. We'll get there! No worries!! ;)

Outlander Chat Tonight!

Chat tonight! 9:00PM Eastern. LOTS to discuss, y'all!   Page 5, much?!? :) 

YOU'RE WELCOME

Discussing Diana Gabaldon's "The Exile"

"No Spoilers" Reminder

From time to time, Diana releases spoilers from "Book 8" on her website - and I avoid them like the plague.  Feel free to mention that Diana has a "Book 8 Excerpt" in the comments section - and even provide a URL or link to her website - but please don't describe the excerpt or talk about which storyline it is about.

Yes, I am that bad... and I TOTALLY APPRECIATE your help. :)

Sincerely,
The Spoiler Spaz

Photos of Fraser's Ridge

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read Drums of Autumn. 

Did I ever post the link to JenniferTN's photos from her visit to North Carolina? These are truly awesome.

The other day Shannon said to me "I miss the Ridge" in a very somber tone. I tend to concur. I never thought I'd say that... but it's true.

THANK YOU!!!

My comment from my last entry; I had to post it just in case it's missed over there: 

You guys are all so awesome. I can't believe we've got friends in Canada and Australia waiting for their books too! (Well I CAN believe it but I love that you guys hang here in Purgatory with us and it's TOMORROW for Josie!) : )

Having said that - I got the book - I finished the book - I made a video with Tracey. My apologies because it's going to be longgggg. But not a stone was left unturned!

My absolute THANKS to all of you who "held my hand" while I was waiting for my book....

My absolute GOOD SHIPPING VIBES to those of you who haven't received the book yet - and I promised you, it is definitely worth the wait!

I GOT IT!!!!!!!!

IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE!

Gotta go read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS - I am still commiserating with those of you who haven't gotten it yet. LET ME KNOW!!!

Outlander CHAT

Hey all - dinna forget about the PURGATORY CHAT ROOM! I know those of you who have The Exile are dying to discuss - so get in there and TALK ABOUT IT!!!  I'm sure Tracey will pop in on and off if she's free at work.

ALSO - Is anyone interested in setting up a daytime chat anywhere between  9:00AM and 2:00PM Eastern?  I got a request for a daytime chat - and that works for y'all over in Scotland, England and Ireland as well!  Post a comment if you're interested!!

My Mailbox

Just two, lone Netflix movies...waiting to be picked up. I am still laughing at the anonymous poster who said she's going to take a lawn chair and some Pinot down to her mailbox and sit there. ROFLMAO!!! That makes me feel like people are here with me, holding my hand through my Exile vigil. 

The Day After

So my copy of The Exile didn't come yesterday. And I lived. And once again - I wait. Here's my agenda for the day:

8:00: Drop kids at school
8:30: Yoga
9:44: Check the mail
9:45: Shower
10:14: Check the mail
10:15: Make a cup of coffee
10:16: Read The Exile if it came
10:16a: Wait if The Exile did not come

I'll keep y'all posted. My sincere condolences to those of you - like me - who didn't get your copies.

My absolute joy for those of you who did. I canna WAIT to discuss with all of you.

Post Scriptum: Please keep your fingers crossed for me as I will most assuredly end up in a rubber room if that damned book does not show up at my dwelling today.

Post Scriptum Scriptum: Yes, I know I can go to Barnes and Noble but it's the principle of it. I ordered the book and I'm waiting for the book. I'm also just as stubborn about those shopping carts where you have to return the damn thing to get your quarter back. I buck the system. I say "eff you" to "the man" and I give my cart to someone and I don't ask for my quarter back. Not only do I feel like I'M in control.... but getting that quarter really makes some people's day. :)

No Exile Depressed Food Consumption Update #1

I just ate a spoonful of blue cheese dressing - straight.

Are You There God? It's Me, Carol.

WHY GOD? WHY?!?

Oh this is bad. This is really, really bad. I have now broken out the potato chips. While I'm MAKING DINNER.

WHY? WHY? (yelled like Nancy Kerrigan)

(Nancy, if you're a fan of Outlander, I apologize for that and totally wanted you to win.)

The Exile gods are NOT smiling down on me today...

2:25 PM and I still don't have it. It's coming via USPS... and my mail has already arrived today. Now - usually a book will arrive separately because it's too large for the mailbox. But the separate deliveries usually come in the AM.

I'm heading over to the Post Office now...to see if they can help me or give me any info.

I'll keep you posted. (NO PUN INTENDED!!!!!!)

PS - Nope. Not going to Barnes and Noble. I ordered it. I'm waiting for it. I'll know better next time.

THE EXILE ROLLCALL

Consider this a Gathering.

Who's gotten theirs?!?

Let's hear it!!!! (But no spoilers yet as I havena gotten mine!!!!)

Diana Gabaldon's "The Exile": Today's the Day!!!!

Whereisit?Whereisit?Whereisit?Whereisit?Whereisit?!?

I have checked my front stoop no less than 3 times already; maybe four.

My copy of The Exile is coming via US Postal Service - and usually when I get something larger than an envelope, my postman makes a special trip to my house in the mail truck. If it comes via regular mail, it'll be here around noon, 1:00.

(If it doesna show today you will all here me crying all the way from your respective states.)

I am sending you all good Exile vibes (new Jamie... NEW JAMIE!!!!!!!!)

The Purgatory Tour of Scotland

OK so Tracey and I are in hysterics on the phone, pseudo-planning the Purgatory Tour through Scotland with y'all that we just joked about on Monday night Chat. Tracey and I decided we should give our own, personalized tour of the Outlander sights... complete with Chardy and Pinot for all! (Plain ol' Coca Cola's welcome!)

I am wiping away the tears because I just told Tracey the following:

If I were sober at Culloden, I'd be a weepy mess. But if I were drunk at Culloden, I'd probably throw myself on the moor and cling to the Fraser marker. Then I said "Tracey, can't you see the photo now? You and I on either side of the Fraser marker with wine glasses in our hands?!" (I hope y'all know I'd never actually do this).

Then Tracey decided that she and I are the Patsy and Eddie of Outlander.

I canna type any more...I am laughing too hard!!!!!

Is this Adso?!

Got this Paw Nation article about the "Scottish Fold" from our dear friend Christie!!!

Isn't Adso cute?!

I get that this cat is Scottish and Adso was American... but let's just pretend, shall we? Mmmmkay....

Outlander Chat Tonight

9PM Eastern - Chat tonight - Gee.... wonder what we'll talk about... hmmmmmm....

****UPDATE****  IF you have already read The Exile - absolutely NO SPOILERS will be allowed at chat!! Not even the slightest of hints or innuendo! PLEASE!! 

Thanks for your cooperation, lassies. Y'all know I'm a spoiler freak.

Need Your Diana Scientific Fix? Just Read Twitter!

Holy crap. So I've been missing Diana's natural remedies and scientific tidbits lately... and I go to Twitter to answer a question from Tracey... and what do I see?

And honest to god, I felt comforted.  Like Mrs. Bug had just made me a big, ol' bowl of parritch with bacon and bannocks....and the actual coffee was flowing, instead of the acorn coffee that I assume made poor Claire want to throw up in her mouth a little.

Am I the only one who wishes Diana would write a book of natural remedies and helpful information for women (sorry Richard and Charles, etc!) that would be easy to understand in that language we've all come to know and love???

The Most Beautiful Email in the World

From: "Amazon.com"
Date: September 19, 2010 4:31:06 PM EDT
Subject: Your Amazon.com order has shipped

Greetings from Amazon.com.

We thought you'd like to know that we shipped your items, and that this
completes your order.  Your order is being shipped and cannot be changed
by you or by our customer service department.

The following items have been shipped to you by Amazon.com:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Qty                           Item    Price         Shipped Subtotal

  1  The Exile: An Outlander Gr...   $13.50               1   $13.50
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Shipped via USPS

Dear Jamie

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have a) seen "Dear John" and b) have read Dragonfly in Amber.

I was just watching "Dear John" with my hub... again. I love that film. Hub likes it but they lose him toward the end when Savannah gives John this speech and tells him how life was just as hard for her as it was for him while he was off fighting. And my husband's like "oh PLEASE! POOR YOU!" at the TV. "He's off risking his life and she's home and she thinks she has it as hard as HE does?!"

And of course this reminded me of Jamie and Claire. I'm uber-sensitive right now because I'm teetering on the brink of insanity, reading Dragonfly whilst waiting for The Exile to come out on Tuesday. And it hit me all of a sudden today.... the reason DinA was so difficult for me to get through in the beginning is because we know - beyond the shadow of a doubt - that Jamie Fraser never got to raise or even see his baby girl. We know that Bree knew nothing but Frank Randall as a father... and we know that Claire went back through the stones pregnant. So even during the first read, when we're walking around in a daze because we don't know why Claire went back... we know what didn't happen. And that's upsetting as hell.

And that's why some of us have such a hard time seeing Claire's life without Jamie as being as difficult as Jamie's life without Claire...no matter how many of Frank's boring stories Claire had to suffer through. (And lorddddddd she suffered through them. Of that, I'm sure.)

Now here is a random Channing Tatum shot because I just like looking at him. So what if his eyes are kindof cat like and he's got high cheekbones and a reddish tinge to his hair and a long straight nose and monstrous shoulders? So what?! He's not even Scottish. He's not even British for that matter. Can you imagine his Scottish accent? It's probably horrible! (Keep telling yourself that, Carol... just keeeeep telling yourself that...)

House of RFyre: OUTLANDER Style!

The houseofrfyre.com "Clan Series" might be THE COOLEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!

More Jamie and Claire Lovin'...

These were sent in by a My Outlander Purgatory pal... who shall remain nameless by her own request. She says it's "Claire with Pocket Allan playing Pocket Jamie".  I say it's pretty darned amusing. Note the blanket properly covering them in photo #1... and look at the tiny sword in photo #2! Outstanding!

NovelsAlive Interview: Diana Gabaldon talks "The Exile"

THE EXILE IS COMING!!!!!

The Great Dragonfly ReRead

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read the first few chapters of Dragonfly in Amber. 

Wow. Just... wow. What a difference a new read makes. The first time I read DinA - I was lost without Jamie in the beginning. I couldn't get past my shock and general confusion at the 20 years that had passed to really enjoy what was happening. But now? Oh. My. God. I keep crying!  I was on the treadmill this AM and every time I hit a new paragraph I was in tears! I just kept marveling over Bree. She's JAMIE'S DAUGHTER!!!!  I kept thinking "Oh my god, how lucky for Claire that SHE HAD BREE". Every day - she had a MAJOR piece of Jamie- right there - to look at, talk to, hug and kiss... And Jamie had nothing. Not one thing that reminded him of Claire,  save his imagination and memories. Then again - some would argue that it wasn't luck that Claire had Bree - that it might have been just the opposite. Every day she had to see Jamie in Bree's face - and know he was gone.

Oh god I think need to go lie down. Seriously. During my first read I didn't really dwell on ANY of this because I was so upset and freaked out that 20 years had passed... and I couldn't do anything but try to crack the code of how we were going to get back to Jamie.

But this time?? I cried when Roger went to Lallybroch. I cried when Bree's foot was sticking out of the bed. I cried when Claire knocked over the whisky glasses and I cried when Roger found "James Fraser" in the records.

Oh it's WONDERFUL!!!!  Positively DELICIOUS!!!

PS - Is it a little odd that I am almost jealous of all the boxes of books and paperwork that Roger gets to go through? He's totally dreading it because of his emotional attachment to the reverend. But not me!  I love history and geneaology and would be salivating at the prospect of going through all those Culloden records and information.

Frank and "Black Jack" Randall: Another Lightbulb Moment

I'm watching Sherlock Holmes....and I feel like the Frank/Black Jack Randall answer has been right here, under my nose the whole time!  Attractive.. Distinguished..  And able to look downright sinister.

Yup.

Jude. 
Law.

What say you?

Another Great Outlander Chat

Thanks all for another great Outlander chat! I'm so glad I got to make it for a bit!

As I mentioned, I am in the beginning of my Dragonfly in Amber reread... and it's a little slow going. Let's be honest - when you're stuck in the manse with Roger (not that I don't love me some Roger) and you see no end to the 20th centrury in site... well, you get a little frustrated. But as I mentioned at chat tonight, my crazy couple of weeks have let up...so I have more time to read, and will be blogging about Dragonfly verra soon, lads and lassies. Verra soon indeed...

Outlander Chat Tonight

Chat tonight at 9PM Eastern - it's going to be a good one, too. Karen had lunch with Diana last week and will hopefully have lots of details!  AND - there's a certain photo everyone's talking about that I'm sure will come up tonight.

Having said that... I am SO SORRY... but I canna be at chat because I am meeting with a friend from California tonight. I have created a few blogs for him (that are really special to me and I WILL be linking to MOP soon) and I can actually sit and talk with him about them in person; not just via email. So - please know that I would NOT miss chat unless it were truly important.

Tracey will be there tonight and I want ALL THE DEETS!!!!

Keep. Effing. VOTING!!!!

Seriously. This is huge. KEEP VOTING!  Every day!

Quick! Go Vote for Diana!!!!

Quick! Go and Vote for Diana Gabaldon as your favorite author at the Library of Congress' National Book Festival!

The Wedding Night you WON'T See in Diana Gabaldon's "The Exile"

Alright y'all. I have gotten lots of email, asking if I've seen it. And yes; I've seen it.

LORDDDDDDDDDDDDDD HAVE I SEEN IT!

Thoughts? LET'S HEAR 'EM.

And I'll share a little of my own:  I'm not 100% OK with this picture. I'm glad it's been changed. How's about THAT!!!

Wait A Week Mystery

I've got a cool new blog for you to check out... a blog by none other than our own My Outlander Purgatory friend Christie! Christie is a HUGE FAN of the Outlander series... and has written a novel or two of her own. She is making one public on her blog "Wait A Week Mystery" and you can check it out here.  She's posting a chapter a week... how much fun is that?? So go check it out - and make sure you comment! Cuz all bloggers loveeeeeee comments! :)

Labor Day: No Official Outlander Chat Tonight

We will not have an official chat tonight because of the Labor Day holiday. However - feel free to stop in and use the room if you're free and feel like talkin' some Outlander!

If you live in the US, I hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

A Lightbulb Moment

I canna believe I never saw this before. Hayley Atwell blew me away in The Pillars of the Earth. Is it possible? Could she be... Claire?  Wow. Just... wow. I loved her from the second she appeared on screen in the first episode. Now I'm wondering if my heart thought so all along.. but my brain just had to catch up.

And PS - gee how odd that I, of all people, should sneak in a little Eddie Redmayne being his usual gorgeous self?

Post Scriptum Scriptum: Spoiler Alert! If you are still reading The Pillars of the Earth - you may want to skip this video!

New Purgatory Video: We Discuss "The Making of The Exile"!

Outlandish Observations: THE EXILE in the UK

Hey if you live in the UK and want to buy "The Exile", check out Karen's recent blog post over at Outlandish Observations!

The Making of the Exile by Diana Gabaldon

Holy mother of god on high. Water. PLEASE!! I NEED WATER! Something! SMELLING SALTS?! HOW am I going to STAND IT when this graphic novel comes out?!? I'm dying already!!! 

Scroll down. LORDDDDDDDDD SCROLL DOWN!!!

 

"The" Outlander Bracelet!

Hey All - I have some news from MaryFaithPeace over at Etsy about her BEAUTIFUL Outlander charm bracelet!

The price for the bracelet is going up - for various reasons.

Faith sometimes uses different charms but since she's gotten so many orders, she is going to make one bracelet - en mass - so that they're always available. The one being sold on Etsy will be a standard "ready-made-dinna-wanna-wait" version. THAT one will have the standard charms (ones Faith has chosen) on it and is currently at the shop for $75. Creating it takes money and time. (Lordddddd lots of time!) You can, however,  still request to customize your charms and/or re-size your bracelet - just let her know when you get in touch with her.

Also - Faith has to deal with rising costs at Etsy, Paypal and USPS.

And BECAUSE SHE'S SO AWESOME - she will make the charm bracelet available at the $60 price point until September 30th for My Outlander Purgatory customers only!!  You can contact her via email (maryfaithpeace@gmail.com) - or through Etsy - and make sure to say you are a friend to My Outlander Purgatory! But hurry - after September 30th, the price goes up to $75!

 Trust me: You. Will. Love. This. Bracelet!!!!

PS - Have you already bought an Outlander charm bracelet from MaryFaithPeace at Etsy? If so - we would LOVE IT if you could send us a photo of you wearing your bracelet for the blog!!

Book 8 Wishlist: Question #1

OK. Fine. I'll admit it. I want some kind of situation with Bree and Roger. Bree loses her job? Nah. A problem with their kids? ZZZ. Nono - what I want to see is quite simple:

One of them has an admirer.

What say YOU?

POST Scriptum: Let me clarify. I don't just want an admirer... I want someone to "test their love" as Jenn M has so eloquently put it in the past.

Post Scriptum Scriptum: I dinna mean "What do you think will happen". I mean "What would you like to see happen?" It. Could. Be. Anything!  Be creative lads and lassies! :)

Outlander Chat TONIGHT!

Outlander Chat Tonight - 9PM Eastern - come chat with the crazy chicks who made those ridiculous movies this weekend!  We've got my reread, Tracey's new bracelet, THE EXILE and much more to cover! Hope to see you there!

The My Outlander Purgatory Shop!

Whoo hoo! The MOP SHOP is up and running! Just click on "MOP SHOP" on the tabs above... and take a gander at some of the goodies I've created for you. AND - if you have any special requests... such as adding a color... or changing a style... just let me know and I'll add whatever you need! We are here to spread the Outlander love!

New Purgatory Videos (Hooker!)

YouTube - Outlander Cast: Roger & Brianna

THIS IS CASTING PERFECTION!!! Awesome youtube video from McFerns21! Check her out!

Heid Ruadh?

SO COOL! SO COOL! SO COOL!  (Click "Gaelic Dictionary" once you get to the site.) Stumbled upon this while searching for a way to say "Redhead". Heid Ruadh?

OK it's weird that my husband just found a movie entitled Red Headed Stranger on TV right now while I'm typing this. Hmmm.....

So what brought on this need to blog about redheads? (Giggle, as if you have to ask.) Well - actually - I was just watching the finale of The Pillars of the Earth.. and was loving the whole red-headed theme... which I didn't think anything of when I read the book... but after reading Outlander... well... you know.

And THANK YOU to Lisa, Deirdre and Laithia for letting me know that Jack Jackson's father was played by Pinter Tibor! He is very Jamie-esque: red hair - long, straight nose - 6'3" - huge shoulders - very blue eyes. Is he the perfect Jamie? No. I'm not sure he even speaks English. But wow - it was fun to watch him and his red hair and huge shoulders in Pillars. That's as close to watching Jamie on the big screen as I fear I'm ever going to get.

Post Video Chat

Tracey and I had an amusing little post-video chat. The video will be up in the next day or so. For now, here's the ridiculousness from the chat room:


* Welcome purgatorycarol, now talking.
purgatorycarol:  Hellooooooooo
* TraceyR (72.88.210.165) has joined #MOP Chat
purgatorycarol:  Tracey and I just mde a video
TraceyR:  wassup
purgatorycarol:  It was fun HOOKER
TraceyR:  carol just drank a bottle of wine yo
purgatorycarol:  Holy crap - it's humid out here!
TraceyR:  it's HUUUUUUUUUMI
TraceyR:  d
purgatorycarol:  dudes she is SO FULL OF SHIZZLE - she drank a bottle too!
purgatorycarol:  DON'T make me show you the bottle!
TraceyR:  it went down eeeeeeasy
TraceyR:  show metne bottleQQQ
TraceyR:  !!!
purgatorycarol:  Ok stop seriously - we have to stop sounding like big lushes a la Chelsea Lately
TraceyR:  buuuuuuurrrrrrp
purgatorycarol:  y'all - tracey won't let me make another video, saying how much I LOVEEEEE EDDIE REDMAYNE!!!!!
purgatorycarol: OMG I have to post this
purgatorycarol:  I am SO going to post this
TraceyR:  noooo
purgatorycarol: Keeeeeeeep talkin', HOOKA!!!!!
TraceyR:  cut my burp
purgatorycarol: OH. MY. GOD. Tracey is the bEST burper in the WORLD
TraceyR:  stuffit gfriend
purgatorycarol:  Lafayette's line from last week resembles us: "Them fuckers is a whole new dimension of trash."
* TraceyR (72.88.210.165) Quit

It's VIDEO time!

OK lads and lassies... Tracey and I are making a video this evening (and should have posted this days ago).

Got anything you want us to discuss?

Let's hear it!

How to Get to Heaven from Scotland

Got this from a friend in Port Glasgow this morning. (Excuse the language).
 

How to get to Heaven from Scotland:
 
I was testing children in my Glasgow Sunday School class to see if they understood the concept of getting into heaven.

 I asked them,
"If I sold my house and my car, had a big jumble sale and gave all my money to the church, would that get me into heaven?"
"NO!" the children answered.

"If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the garden and kept everything tidy, would that get me into heaven?"
 Again, the answer was 'No!' 

 By now I was starting to smile.
 "Well, then, if I was kind to animals and gave sweeties to all the children, and loved my husband, would that get me into heaven?"
 Again, they all answered 'No!'

 I was just bursting with pride for them.
 I continued, "Then how can I get into heaven?"
  
 A six year old boy shouted, 
 "Yuv goat tae be fukin' deid"

Kinda brings a wee tear tae yir e'e....   

Look What Tracey Got!

Isn't it gorgeous?!?

Outlander Book Club's 1 Year Anniversary Contest

In honor of the Outlander Book Club's one year anniversary in September, they are having an essay contest for a chance to win a personalized signed copy of The Exile by Diana Gabaldon!  Yey OBC!  Awesome idea!

See the Outlander Book Club site for more details!

Outlander Chat Instructions

I received an email asking for help with chat and wanted to make sure I post the instructions!

1. To get to chat, click the "My Outlander Chat" tab above. 
2. Type a nickname - any nickname - and click "Join". 
3. You are now signed on to the chat room and your nickname will show up in the box in the upper right hand corner of the chatroom.
4. To start talking, go to the bottom of the white box, where is says: Type here and hit ENTER to send a message". Type whatever you'd like to say and hit the "Enter" key on your keyboard. 

That's it! You're chatting! Whatever you type will show up above in the larger white box. Sometimes it gets crowded (not that we're complaining; we LOVE a full chat) and it helps to change the color of your text so everyone is a different color. If - for instance -  I am typing in green, and I am discussing Fergus - and you want to discuss Fergus - you will know to follow the green text.

We try to follow topics every week, but I don't want it to be so rigid that people have to discuss what we're discussing. I want everyone to have fun at chat!

Hope that helps! And please don't hesitate to let us know if you're having problems!  You can email Tracey or myself by clicking the "Contact Us" tab at the top of the blog!

Pillars of the Earth on Starz: QUESTION

Can SOMEBODY please tell me who is playing Jacque Cherbourg (or Jack Shareburg - aka Jack Jackson's father) in all those flashbacks on The Pillars of the Earth??? I canna find his name anywhere. NO credits on IMDb. NO credits anywhere.

Why? Because he's a big, strapping hulk of a man with big shoulders and red hair. 

Y'all do the math. :)

Another Great Outlander Chat

Thanks to everyone who participated in last night's Outlander chat!  And a warm welcome to two MALE participants from last night... Richard... and Charles. We hope you come back again next week!

Outlander Chat Tonight

Outlander chat tonight at 9PM Eastern!  Tracey will be there -  I am headed to the great Hershey Park in Hershey, PA (to buy gobs of chocolate) with my family.... and will try verra hard to make it! By 9PM I'll be dying to sit down with the laptop and some peace and quiet, I'm sure!

Outlander Casting: Eddie Redmayne

OK because I am such a huge fan of The Pillars of the Earth (squee - two hour finale on Friday!) I have recently become absolutely captivated by Eddie Redmayne who plays Jack Jackson.  He's fantastic.  I think he's absolutely beautiful. He's so soulful... and can easily do strong - and vulnerable - at the same time.  He was on Broadway in a show called Red, for which he won a Tony.. and it closed in June which is SUCH a bummer. I live in NJ and could have easily gone to see him in this show. I canna say enough about him, sassenachs; I think he's an exceptional actor.

Soooooo.... here's the deal. I want him in Outlander. He FITS in Outlander. Somewhere. I just don't know where.  Any suggestions??

Claire's Bad Mofo Wallet

I just had to post this video because I just came across it and was reminded of my commentary from two weeks ago about Claire being a bad mofo and needing her own bad mofo wallet. There is some bad language - so be warned, especially at work or if you are around kids.

This video is dedicated to Tracey R, my sister and Outlander mentor and lover of Pulp Fiction... and also to Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser GREY (tee hee, I couldna resist) because she is one BAD MOFO!!!!

Book 8 Ponderings - Post Scriptum!

SPOILER ALERT:  Dinna read unless ye have read An Echo in the Bone.

Thanks to our Purgatory bud, Danette, for reminding me of something that I left out of the last post.

Another thing that caused my latest musings: I remember reading that Diana didn't want the readers to think Jamie was dead - and I started thinking "Well why did Claire even have to think he was dead? WHY did she HAVE to sleep with Lord John??" And that's when it all fell into place. I am starting to think Tracey is correct; Jamie will forgive Claire in the first 50 pages (after some punishment, right Karen?!) and they will go back to the Ridge - and William will go with them. And even if they don't go back to the Ridge - William and Jamie WILL form a father/son bond...and the infidelity was necessary to allow Jamie to allow himself to hurt Lord John in that way.

WORD.

"Book 8" Ponderings

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have finished An Echo in the Bone.

So I've been doing some serious pondering and surmising about "Book 8". Allow me to share.

I was brushing my teeth and thinking about how much I miss the Outlander crew. I then said to myself, "Self", I said, "what on earth is Book 8 going to be about? Is it going to grab me from Page 1?" I then thought "Oh it's going to start off with Jamie finding out about Claire sleeping with Lord John... so of course it's going to grab me." I then did the usual pondering about Claire sleeping with Lord John and what Jamie's reaction is going to be... yada yada yada... we've all been there a thousand times in our heads.

And that's when it happened. "Self", I said, "what is Willy's role going to be in Book 8?" And all at once, I knew. Jamie and Willy are going to rekindle the relationship they forged all those years ago at Helwater and truly become father and son. Ask me why I think this. Go ahead. I'll wait.

HERE'S WHY:  THAT'S why Claire HAD to sleep with Lord John. Diana probably thought to herself,  "Well, I'd like to form that father and son bond between Jamie and William - but how in the world can I do that with William's relationship with his "father", Lord John... and with the respect Jamie has for his best male friend in the world?" And that's when she probably said to herself "Lord John has got to do something so awful, so hideous that Jamie won't feel the least bit bad getting close to Willy as his true father"...

And then she probably said "But what? What on earth could Lord John possibly do that would make Jamie THAT mad?"

And the rest, my friends... is (future) history.

On Yesterday's Bree and Roger Video...

I love putting up a video and saying "discuss". What a loaded statement!

I agree with the general consensus. He's not my Roger and - while I absolutely ADORE Deborah Ann Woll as Jessica on True Blood; she's not really my Bree.

But I did love the song - and I also love that people take the time to put these videos together. You have to give them props. It takes countless hours of research to go through video and cut up parts that you think pertain to the story. I loved the boat shot - even though it was roughly 200 years (give or take a decade) too late. It reminded me of Roger on the ship headed to find Bree... and I got a lovely warm feeling in my wame.... like the kind you get when you have a cup of hot tea or coffee on a freezing cold, rainy afternoon.

I miss Roger. I miss Bree. Don't even get me started on how much I'm missing Jamie and Claire. And I know the general consensus of THAT commentary is "reread the books!" But it's not what I truly want. It's so difficult when you've read all 7 books in a row without stopping - and then have to wait for so long. Lorddddddd where's Diana's Methadone list when I need it?!

Roger and Brianna Video

Found this from randomnessfanvids on youtube today. Discuss!

Another Great Outlander Chat!

Thanks for another great Outlander chat, y'all!  I had a great time, even thought I didn't get there until an hour after it started! 

Love the Monday night chats - you all are so much fun to dish with.

Have a great week; we'll see you in Purgatory!!

Outlander Chat Tonight!

Chat tonight! 9PM Eastern! 

I might not be at chat tonight but Tracey will be there. (A dear friend of mine is a merchant marine and is shipping out on Wednesday for three months... and we are taking him to dinner this evening. I hope to make it to at least some of the chat!)

We are using new chat software tonight and it's way cool and verra easy to use. A couple things:
*You can change the color and size of your text. Try to pick a shade that is different from other chatters. It makes it so much easier to keep track of a conversation you're having.

*For those who like to VIEW in chat - but not actually SAY anything - you can still do this! Just pick a nickname to sign in with (seriously - Mickey Mouse works!) and then just watch. (Jamie knows ye love to watch.)

Enjoy - and let me know if you have any questions or issues!

More Fun with the Frasers

So I'm watching the Fraser videos and I'm seeing photographs of Frasers who fought in South Africa in the early 19th century. And I'm thinking "These were descendants of Jamie Fraser's family!!" And then I think to myself "My god! Jamie Fraser is a fictional character! I...am... LOSING IT!" 

And here's another thing that's kindof cool to think about. What year did we leave off in Echo? 1778? Simon Fraser died in London (ahem turncoat ahem) in 1782. (He was the son of Simon the Fox who was briefly imprisoned and later got all the Fraser lands back by jumping into bed with the British government. Not that I'm judging or anything.) Could we get a glimpse of THAT storyline, perhaps, in the famous upcoming Book 8???

And here's the thing that bugs me. Should I be annoyed with the Old Fox's son, Simon, for seemingly kissing the British government's  ass in the 18th century after Culloden? Should I consider him a turncoat? Or should I assume he did everything he did (including becoming close with the British Prime Minister and living on Downing Street in London when he died) in order to win back his father's stolen lands, no matter what the cost to his personal integrity? Perhaps it's a mixture of both. 

Again - a big thanks to "L" for posting that link and getting my Fraser juices flowing today. I needed it.

Highland Clans - Fraser

Ho. Ly. COW!!!!!! My Outlander Purgatory bud "L" posted a link to this on the comments section of another post and WOWWY MACWOWWY is it a JACKPOT! You will be thrilled with your knowledge of the Frasers while watching this. And if THAT weren't enough - we get to meet Simon Fraser - the CURRENT Lord Lovat!! And might I say he is one TASTY TUNA! AND he's got a long, straight nose! OutSTANDing!!!!! ENJOY!!!



Wow. Video one got my juices flowing. This one... made me cry. Ethnic cleansing, indeed.

Pillars of the Earth: Tom Builder and Jamie Fraser

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read Pillars of the Earth!!!

Watched Pillars of the Earth on Starz last night. I never miss it. I think it's fantastic. I think they're sticking with the storyline so well. (Then again it's been 1.5 years since I've read the book and my memory is not what it used to be. I could be blissfully ignorant here.)

Last night as I was watching Tom Builder (sobbbbb!) and his son, John... I couldn't help but think of Jamie and young Willy at Helwater. The storylines have similarities:  they both are living in close quarters with sons who don't know they are their fathers. Both men love these boys and want the best for them and love them enough to live the lie. It's truly heartbreaking.

In addition.. a few interesting things: 

Both men are with women who are outsiders... and thought of as witches because of it.

Both men are responsible for many people - be they friends or employees - and have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Both men choose to meet this challenge head-on and welcome it.

Both men have to do back-breaking work in order to survive and provide for those around them.

Both men have a remarkable amount of honor. And as their audience, we're always aware of it.

I could go on and on....

Blame Diana

Just heard "Way Down Now" by World Party on my iPod... and thought of how I'm feeling in this state of PURGATORY while I wait for the next Outlander novel. And I had to laugh. We're all in the same boat, sassenachs. That's what makes it bearable; I know I'm not alone.

Blame Diana; I do. ;)

She took us by the hand
Hell was the promised land 

I'm way down now
I'm way down now

I'm lying by the road
Because she cut off all my clothes
I'm way down now
Way down now

Won't you show me something true today?
C'mon and show me anything but this...

Inside my future eye
What I see just makes me cry
I'm way down now
I'm way down now

The clocks will all run backwards
All the sheep will have two heads
And Thursday night and Friday
Will be on Tuesday night instead

And I know I'm not alone...
And I know I'm not alone...

And I know I'm not alone!

Anything but this...

Diana, What Have you Done to me?!

So I have been fruitlessly trying to read "other" books lately... to no avail. I knew it would happen eventually. I knew - when I was somewhere around The Fiery Cross or A Breath of Snow and Ashes - that I would eventually be "finished" the Outlander books that have been written to date. I knew, and yet, I didn't know. I didn't understand what life would be when didn't have a "new to me" Outlander novel ready at the bedside table.

I was hoping for something like the Outlander series - adventure, romance, with excellent writing (I'll settle for "good") - that keeps you on your toes. Right now I'm trying Dangerous Highlander by Donna Grant. Meh. The story is interesting enough... and there is some Diana-esque Scots speak thrown in for good measure.. like "dinna", "nae" and even "cockstand" ... But it just doesna compare.  Words like "rod" just make me giggle... no matter how hot the subject matter.

So here's my question: While nothing can compare to Diana, have you read any books that came close?

Outlander Chat Tonight

Outlander chat at 9PM Eastern. We MAY have a special guest tonight; still working on it.  Two words: Third Sister

A Transitional Period

Not much posting going on around here the past few days because I have been diligently trying to create a new and improved blog design that will be fantastico. 

COMMA HOWEVER

I just had to make mention of the interesting debate Tracey and I had the other day. (When are they ever NOT interesting when Jamie Fraser is involved?)

I finished listening to Outlander on audio last week... and can't get something out of my mind. All throughout the third sister's hilarity - and my design efforts of the weekend - I have been bothered by Jamie telling Murtagh to tell Claire that he wanted her to leave.

He told MURTAGH to give her such delicate news? That was a low point for Jamie. And please don't say "Carol he was just kidnapped, raped and almost hanged, of COURSE it was a low point." I get all of that. But to tell Claire to go back to where she came from was bad enough. To do it through MURTAGH - or ANYONE else for that matter... ugh. Just...not what I've come to expect from James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser.

One thing I kept telling Tracey was that I was so thoroughly impressed by Claire's non-wavering attitude about the whole thing. Never once did she crumble... or question Jamie's love for her... or think to herself "oh god! He wants me to leave?? Seriously?! But I thought he loved me! Can we not get past this? Does he not love me anymore? And how the hell would I get back at this point? Oh my GOD HE WANTS ME TO LEAVE!!" as I would have absolutely done - don't even doubt it for a minute. I would have flipped out in my head and rocked back and forth while sucking my thumb under a pew in the church at 2AM while watching the host on the alter. But not Claire. She's just all "Yeah - right - whatever, Jamie... I'll be back later and we'll see about that fever now shall we, hmmm? OK...Righty O...that's it... you rest now...kthxbye!"

Seriously. Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser is one bad-ass-mo-fo. If I could, I'd buy her a wallet like Jules' in Pulp Fiction. (That little comment is for Tracey because she loves herself some Pulp Fiction.)

PS - Y'all. It's time for a video, is it not? I'm thinking Tracey and I must Skype....STAT!

The Third Sister Finishes Outlander!

Just got this from my sister, Jill, who just finished Outlander and couldn't figure out how to leave a comment in the comments section. (Don't ask.) Enjoy!!

OK, so I decided to just give you my comments and you can post them if you like.  It will be so much easier.  Here goes:

1.  I don't consider myself a slow reader.  I'm an efficient reader.  Besides, it took me awhile to get used to all those dinnas and cannas and dunnas and ye's etc.  I was half way through the book before I realized "ken" meant "know".

2.  Yes, I meant Jenny.  Ellen is my pregnant grade partner with twin boys and I was reading about a woman with 2 fathers of her baby, I got confused.

3.  The page before the preview said, "And look for the NEXT installment of the acclaimed Outlander series.... Read on for a preview..."  I do what I'm told.

4.  Tell Karen it's actually the other way around.  How have I been able to hold out this long with my sisters being so addicted.  I've considered an intervention.

5.  Tracey, don't line up for any Academy award.  I knew in Carol's kitchen that I was in for a lot more violence.  How did I know?  FROM YOUR REACTION!

6.  Carol, don't profess to know whose name I call out in my sleep.  Just last night I took Jamie, I mean Howie, to our hot spring, I mean hot tub, but my breasts wouldn't float.

7.  No, I'm not a changeling, but that was a REALLY good movie years ago! 

8.  Now, I was a bit disappointed in my hero, Jamie, towards the end.  How many times did he come riding in on his white horse to save Claire?  My fictional heroes need to continue that no matter what happens.  But when he's dying he starts giving up and wants her to go back home.  Boohoo so you've been beaten, flogged, done up the ass, hand smashed and nailed to a table, blah blah blah.  Man up and be my hero without needing opium to do it!!  Reminds me a bit of Edward when he wussed out while Bella was pregnant.  Did I hit a nerve??

9.  After regaining consciousness at the suggestion of Jared Padelecki being Jamie, (great picture btw!  Carol, can you get me a poster of that pic for the ceiling above my bed?)  Anyway, Jared will always be my Sam Winchester and no one else.  Besides, he doesn't have red hair.  In my opinion, we haven't seen Jamie yet.  He should be a total unknown.

10.  Thank you for the opportunity to get all that off my chest.  Third sister, signing out.

Echo Excerpt in Outlander: WTF???

So my sister, Jill, just finished Outlander. (Give a collective cheer because she's only been reading it for about 6 months or so. And this WITH a trip to Italy, no less. LOTS of plane time... but I digress.)

And THIS is what I just get in my email box:

I finished the book.  I started reading the excerpt from the next book.  Who the heck is having a baby with 2 fathers????  And where is Ellen cause it keeps saying Ian.  And where are they????

Now... I'm not really sure WHY she's asking about Ellen. Does she mean Jenny? Ugh - whatevs. Anyway - whoever signed off on putting an Echo excerpt at the end of ANYTHING OTHER THAN A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES should have a SERIOUS talking-to by his or her boss.

(Please tell me it wasn't Diana. DOH!)

Outlander Chat Tonight

Outlander Chat - 9:00PM Eastern - TONIGHT!

Black Jack Randall is the Devil

Spoiler Alert: Dinna read unless you have read Dragonfly in Amber.

After a particularly busy weekend that involved a wedding, weekend guests and an invitation to a party at a local yacht club (dahhhling) - I finally got a quiet moment to sit down and blog this AM. Only problem - I'm having a really hard time. Why? Because I just got through the horrendous stretch of Jamie being kidnapped, tortured, raped, seasick and finally horrendously dazed and confused at the abbey. How do you banter about that? It was not easy to read - even a second time. Oh no it wasn't. And I knew it wouldn't be. As I've said so many times before in this series, I felt like Jesus at the Garden of Olives; Lord, please let this cup pass over me...

Here's the thing. As hard as it was to read all of that (well, listen to all of that) I keep thinking about Dragonfly. I keep wondering how Claire could have had a problem in the least with Jamie wanting to kill Jack Randall after all the things he did to Jamie - Frank or no Frank. But at the same time - I wonder how Jamie could have not have fallen at Claire's feet and begged for forgiveness at the country home in France when she had lost Faith and almost died. After everything SHE has been through - saving his life at the abbey - she deserved more than she got. Yes, yes, he told her how much he loved her and was so sad and blah blah blah - but come on now. I don't even see where conversation was needed. Only "Claire. I. Was. Wrong."

Now - do you see what a perplexing paradox this is for me?! I'm annoyed at HER for stopping him from killing Jack Randall - and I'm annoyed at HIM for not kissing her ass enough over him almost killing Jack Randall! Holy hell - I've confused the crap out of myself!

I will leave you with this thought, sassenachs: I'm headed to the sulfur spring. I feel like it's a fantastic dessert I have earned after long hours of hard work slaying dragons.

Let the swimming begin...

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!!