Thursday, June 28, 2012

The Scottish Music Revolution

For so long, no country was prouder than Ireland of its musical heritage, but Scotland has been catching up with a rising folk/traditional scene, reviving and keeping the old tunes.  But now those within rock and pop have taken to a new sound: their natural Scottish lilt.
The Imagineers
For decades, pop and rock musicians (or their managers rather) all over the world strove for the most marketable music possible, and that meant catering to the largest pop/rock music scene in the world: the United States.  Everywhere singers adopted the American accent when singing, or at least muted their own accent to the point of unrecognizable accents.  But with burgeoninig bands, such as Glasvegas and Frightened Rabbit, the Scottish accent is returning to the airwaves, home stereos, and mp3 players all around the world. (The Guardian also wrote of this.)

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Here's to Nora

All day I've had this melancholy feeling. I learned last night that Nora Ephron (writer, director, journalist) had died and the significance of this event for me took a few hours to sink in.

The movies of Nora's that I've seen (today I've learned there are many I haven't seen, something that will change soon) have been my favorites for years. So, I've spent a lot of today remembering them, and as a result remembering Nora: a woman I never met (would have never had a reason to), but whom I still feel I know in some way.

Thinking about my favorite Nora Ephron movies brings up a lot of things. So many that to include all of them in one blog post would be cruel to any reader who stumbles upon it. So, instead I've managed to pull my favorite scenes and favorite lines from each.

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
Favorite Scene: "Waiter, there is too much pepper on my paprikash."
 
When people talk about this movie the restaurant scene usually gets the limelight. I'm not saying that limelight is not deserved, but for me the scene above is my favorite. Just say the words "pepper" or "pecan pie" to me and I'll quote the whole thing. Seriously, don't tempt me.

Favorite line: Sally responds to Harry's sweet confession of love. "You see? That is just like you, Harry. You say things like that, and you make it impossible for me to hate you. And I hate you Harry. I really hate you."

Awww see when Sally says "hate" she really means love.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Why I Love Catelyn Stark (And Why You Should Too)


Call me Littlefinger because I'm in love with Catelyn Tully Stark.  Game of Thrones has not only forced me into submission, it's also made me crush on yet another older woman: Michelle Fairley, the perfect casting for Catelyn, as only an Irishwoman can play the part of such a stern and bold woman.  And so I give you the reasons to love Catelyn Tully Stark.  WARNING: LIGHT SPOILERS ENSUE.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

You, too, can play Journey to the Center of Hawkthorne

A devoted fan, with the help of others (and you if you want), is developing Community's video game "Journey to the Center of Hawkthorne", developed by Pierce's father.  You can track the developments and play each release of the game here.  So help a brother out by playing the game and letting him know of any bugs or suggestions.  This game is going to be absolutely stellar.  You can choose from a wide range of characters.  There are continuous submissions for character costumes.  Look forward to Darkest Timeline Jeff Winger, Starburns, and Dean Pelton.  Currently some playable characters are Brittasaurus Rex, Abed's Batman, Squirrel Britta, and Troy's Sexy Vampire.