Monday, March 12, 2012

I love the book How They Croaked by Georgia Bragg

1. Cleopatra
2. Galileo Galilei
3. Charles Dickens

I finally got around to reading a book I have been wanting to read for awhile; How They Croaked by Georgia Bragg.  I love a good biography especially if I am learning something new and interesting and this book did not disappoint.  In fact, it was quite intriguing and even comical at times.





















Here are the highlights of some of my favorite awful ends:

1.  Cleopatra:  Let's face it...she was one fierce diva.  She ruled a country with perfect makeup and never missed an opportunity to add new accessories to her vast collection.  Cleopatra, you had me at accessories.  Men flocked to her, fell in love with her, and even worshiped her.  Men that traveled great distances to Eqypt for the sole purpose of overthrowing her couldn't even resist the powers of her charm and seduction.  (I'll have what she's having, please.)  And when the Romans did eventually overthrow Egypt she was determined not to go down without a fight.  Taking her most trusted BFF's and all the accessories they could carry she barricaded herself inside a tomb.  I won't spoil the rest of the story for you but I will tell you this...what ended up being the death of her wasn't the poisonous snake (as so dramatically depicted by Liz Taylor) but she did go out on her own terms looking perfectly fabulous.

2. Galileo Galilei:  (Sidenote:  To all the mothers-to-be out there...before you name your child say it out loud a time or two, write it down even.  For the love of chocolate use some common sense when naming your child. For example never name your child after your favorite food or drink unless you want them to grow up to be a stripper. {e.g. Candy, Chardonnay, etc.}  Never use a name that is already part of your last name.  The ONLY time this even remotely worked was for Chaz-Michael Michaels in Blades of Glory...and I am pretty sure that was done is a purely satirical manner.) 

Galileo was a rock star before his time even conducting experiments with wine.  Galileo, you had me at wine.  (Ummm...why couldn't I have had a professor like this??)  And although his ideology went against the church beliefs he published his teachings anyway.   That was a rock star move and the first real "screw you" message he sent to the church. I won't ruin the story of his awful end but I will tell you that his rock star moves and messages didn't stop there and even followed him into death when he sent the ultimate "screw you" when his middle finger was placed on display in a museum in Florence, Italy. (Which I personally visited back in 2005)  That is a true rock star move.  (Even if unintentional)...Well played Galileo, well played.

3.  Charles Dickens:  To quote Bragg, "Dickens was incredibly talented, but he was also a moody, dirt-phobic, control freak."  Oh Dickens, you had me at moody.  Who knew Dickens and I have so much in common?  I can relate to being moody, dirt-phobic, and a control freak.  People usually say those things like it's a bad thing.  (Insert rolling eyes here)  There are way worse things in life to be...like a  criminal...or stupid.  Besides, being a successful control freak is really more about the way in which you control.  Let's face it...most people just want to be told what to do because thinking is hard.  To the haters I also would like to quote Bragg and simply say, "shutyourwordhole".  This is now one of my new favorite phrases and I plan to use it as often as possible.  Thank you, Georgia Bragg.  I promise to use my powers of mind control for good to get as many people as I can to read your fabulous book.  (It sure would be nice to have an autographed copy for my library.  Hint, Hint.)

(Subliminal message inserted here: Get this book and read it immediately.)

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Trevor Donovan Should Play Finnick Odair in Catching Fire

1.  Have you seen him?  (A picture is worth a thousand signs..oh wait, words...a picture is worth a thousand words.)
2.  I'm sorry, what was the question?
3. Yum.  (That IS a reason.  See # 1)

I would like to formally request to the powers that be (Suzanne Collins, Gary Ross, and Billy Ray) to consider Trevor Donovan as the dynamic character of Finnick Odair for Catching Fire.

First, let's take a look at the man in question, shall we?
 
















I am not quite sure what those little muscle ridges are that make a 'V' under his belly button but it is definitely something that Finnick would have because Finnick is buff. 

Some might say that Trevor, at age 34 is too old to play Finnick, but I say "Au contraire, mon frère" and here is why. 

While it is true that Finnick is 24 years old during Catching Fire let's look at what he has been through, shall we?  As the winner of the 65th Hunger Games and a survivor of the 75th Hunger Games Quarter Quell, Finnick was forced to kill dozens of people.  I don't have any personal experience with this particular topic but there are multitudes of examples in film, literature and history  of what murder does to a person's physical appearance and psychological well-being. 

Finnick is also forced into prostitution by President Snow as a way to protect those he loves, including the love of his life, Annie Cresta, who was captured and tortured by the Capitol.  After experiencing all of that in the short span of a decade it is completely plausible that Finnick would have physically and mentally aged by at least ten years his senior making Trevor the exact perfect age to play Finnick.



















Secondly, let's discuss Finnick's personality and demeanor.  Genuine and loyal at heart Finnick is also egotistical and smug. 

 “He looks down at his legs as if noticing his outfit for the first time. Then he whips off his hospital gown, leaving him in just his underwear. "Why? Do you find this" - he strikes a ridiculously provocative pose - "distracting?”  ― Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay  (Inner monologue:  "Oh, I'm distracted alright but I will try to maintain focus.")

Trevor was not only a model for A&F (the rumor mill has it that the process to become an A&F model is very daunting; and not to mention how tiring those photo shoots must be...standing there all hot and sexy and not at all hungry while being able to express and hold any range of emotions...that's gotta be hard work.)  He also played the smug, egotistical, womanizing tennis player "Teddy Montgomery" that eventually comes out of the closet on the new version of 90210.  So you see not only does he have the traits of Finnick in his actor's arsenal but he is also very versatile.


















Lastly, let's dissect a few details such as Finnick's background and physical appearance.  Finnick is described as tall, muscular, extremely handsome with golden tan skin, bronzed color hair, and green eyes.  Other than the hair color Trevor has the look nailed.  I have discussed in detail with my stylist at Aveda the issue of making blonde hair more bronze without it being too brassy and she assures me that with the right color of a few essentially placed low lights and the right toner, Trevor could have perfectly dimensional hair to go with his perfectly dimensional body.

Finnick comes from District 4, the fishing district so he is very comfortable in and around water.  He is also very comfortable with his Adonis-esque body.  I think this picture accurately proves that Trevor is capable of such feats.  Anyone that is capable of sitting on a rock, naked, over the ocean while looking sexy and peaceful should not be underestimated.

 “Well, don't expect us to be too impressed. We just saw Finnick Odair in his underwear.”
Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay

May the odds be ever in your favor, Trevor. 




The pictures (much like the man in them) do not belong to me. It is a miracle I had my wits about me enough to document the links.  Take it or leave it copyright nazis. (See previous post #shrew)
Yummy picture #1 
http://features.outinamerica.com/wp-content/gallery/trevor-donovan/life-and-style-october-26-2009-trevor-donovan-8679191-830-800.jpg
Yummy picture #2
http://www.hunkdujour.com/blog/archives/2011/02/Trevor_Donovan_hotd_02052011.asp
Yummy picture #3
http://lazycircles.blogspot.com/2010/08/mondays-man-trevor-donovan.html