I especially like the Modern Art one...

Source [FYMathematics]

From J.K. Rowlings notebook

Here's a draft from her notebook while writing Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Text:

“So this Flamel bloke found the Stone-” said Ron.
“No - he made it,” said Harry. “He was an alchemist, which means-“
“Someone who turns base metals into gold,” said Hermione. She had that old proving-I-know-more-than-everyone-else look on her face, the other two noticed, “Of course. I read about this in ‘Alchemy, Ancient Art and Science’ by Argo Pyrites-“
“I missed that one myself,” muttered Ron.
“-Of course, it’s some of the most difficult magic you can do, and you end up not just with pure gold but with a funny stone thing-“
“Which is what I’m on about,” said Harry “The Philosopher’s Stone, yes. And it works, too. It kept Nicolas Flamel and his wife alive for about five hundred years.
”What?”
“I know,” said Harry “But it’s true. He was spotted at the opera in Paris in 1762 and he was born back in 13 something.”
Ron whistled.
“But he’s dead now?” he asked.
“Of course,” said Harry. “Someone stole his Stone so he couldn’t make any more Elixir of Life, could he? It takes a while to make another Stone and by that time, I suppose he was just too old to live without his Elixir until a new Stone was ready. And now I’ll tell you something else really weird that I haven’t told you up to now - the Stone was found in my parents’ safe at Gringott’s bank.”
But instead of the interested noises Harry had expected, Ron and Hermione simply stared at him.
“What?” said Harry.
Ron cleared his throat, opened his mouth to speak but shut it again.
”What?” Harry said.
“Well, Harry,” said Hermione “I mean…”
“You mean what?”
He stared at them both as they shuffled their feet and tried not to look him in the eye.
“You don’t think,” he said suddenly and angrily “That my parents stole the Stone?”
“Um…” said Ron.
“Look,” said Harry furiously “That’s like saying they murdered Flamel…”
“Oh Harry, we never thought…”
“Not much, you didn’t,” said Harry “I don’t know how it got in there, but the Stone wasn’t put there by them…”
“Right,” said Ron quickly. “I’m sure you’re right.”
“There must be an obvious explanation,” said Hermione.
Harry wasn’t at all convinced that they meant it, but at that moment the bell rang which put an end to the conversation. 

Apparently this plot line was cut from the final book. Man-oh-man, what I wouldn't give to have access to all her notes on the series...

This was found on JKRowling.com. On the broken phone dail 62442 and press call and you'll find this easter egg.

Source [Everything Harry Potter]

Remember

Image Source [The Girl Who Waits]

Einstein's Desk

Albert Einstein’s Princeton desk taken only a few hours after he died in 1955.

Image Source [fymathematics]

Movie Trailer: Cracks

Cracks

Dazzling debut from Jordan Scott (daughter of legendary director Ridley Scott), stars Eva Green as the mesmerizing Miss G, a liberating force in a staid but idyllic British boarding school. The story follows a clique of six girls whose dynamic is thrown off kilter by the arrival of a beautiful new Spanish student Fiamma. The hazy summer days by the lake provide the perfect setting for Fiamma's wild and intriguing tales of her travels in India with her father. Miss G is captivated but it's not long before ripples appear on the surface and the cracks beneath emerge in the relationship between teacher and pupil.

I want to see! It was released in the U.K. back in 2009 but hasn't come to the U.S. yet

Things I don't do...

My tweets are random and rarely fact checked... or spelled checked (just like this blog) for that matter.

Image Source [holycool]

First Poster for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

July 15, 2011... just a couple more months away... I'm so looking forward to this.

By the way... I'm not really liking this poster... do better Warner Bros... I'm just saying.

Source [mugglenet]

Book Review: Metamorphosis (Star Trek: The Next Generation) by Jean Lorrah

Metamorphosis (Star Trek: The Next Generation) by Jean Lorrah
Rating: 3/5

The first "Giant Novel" in The Next Generation series, this book takes us on a journey where the android Data becomes human. I mean, literally human. This isn't a spoiler because the book sets up this notion from page one where Dr. Pulaski is goading everyone about how non-human Data truly is... but never fear, Data takes it all in stride with most of his friends taking the brunt of her offensive words (androids have feelings too Pulaski).

The novel starts well and I was intrigued about the alien world the Enterprise was sent to investigate, but after Data becomes human my mind started to wander. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say a human Data is an angsty Data.

I was expecting a steller novel since Jean Lorrah wrote one of my favorite TNG novels, Survivors (a Tasha Yar back-story, which I highly recommend) but this one kind of ran out of steam towards the end. With the steam running out it was still a pretty good novel, which I recommend if you're a Data fan.

Yes, I'll go!

What kid would have turned down this offer? Wait, what adult would turn down this offer?

Oh yeah, from the 2003 version of Peter Pan.

Image Source [The life of an introvert]

Wonder Woman

Image Source [Ms Pussy le Queer - NSFW]

Never Regret

That's one way to look at it.

Image Source [i can read]

Monday Morning Links

Ain't that the truth?

• Have you heard about the Prince Harry Hunters? Hey, a gal gotta have her dreams, right? 

• Remember how I said I love the character Stefon from SNL? Well last week I saw this and had a nice hearty laugh.

• Newsweek gave the U.S. Citizenship test to 1,000 Americans, 38% failed - that sounds about right, doesn't it?

• Speaking about U.S. brain power - 20% of Germany's "congress" has PhDs compared to only 3% of U.S. members of congress.

• Are you a child of the 90s? Then you'll love this website.

• A very interesting "cover" of Snoop Dogg's song Gin & Juice

• LeVar Burton reveals how the transporter magic works on The Next Generation via. Reading Rainbow

• Oh, since I'm talking about TNG, check out this little prank by Data 

• Have too much time on your hands? Try this little craft

• I think this mirror will be a fun addition to my guest bedroom.

• "I wish that I could bake a cake made of rainbows and smiles..." did I ever mention how much I liked the movie Mean Girls?

• New documentary coming out - Orgasm Inc. (probably not what you think it is)

• A funny tweet

• A quick lesson from WASP 101 - use a proper cup

Image Source [A raging angel in an eagle's flight...]

The Rat Race

Image Source [rawr.]

RIP Loleatta Holloway

As my friend (in my head) Jonny McGovern says, "I love hearing black ladies scream" and I have to agree with him. Ms. Loleatta Holloway could scream with the best and by scream I mean sing really, really well.

You might know Ms Holloway from her disco hit Love Sensation (below) or her vocals on the pop songs Ride on Time by Black Box or Good Vibrations by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.

Ms Holloway died or heart failure March 21, 2011. She will be missed.

Source [Oh No They Didn't]

Don't Look Any Further

Don't Look Any Further by Dennis Edwards featuring Siedah Garrett - 1984

First this song is awesome. Second, this video is very cheesy and funny, he's chewing gum in the opening shot!

This is fake but funny as hell

Could you blame him for laughing? Seriously?

Random Gif - Kurt Cobain

Image Source [Jotter Book]

Don’t you know what a library is for?

“Don’t you know what a library is for? It’s to prevent us from making damn fools of ourselves.”

- George Locke, Chief Librarian Toronto Public Library, 1908-1937

Source [librarianista]

This is a no.

I know you love the royals and are very excited about the upcoming marriage of Wills and Kate, but, don't do it... I know you want to... just don't do it.

If I walk into your kitchen and see this, I will calming start planning your intervention now (after my laughter subsides).

Source [Today.com]

Better Book Titles: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Source [Better Book Titles]

Oscar the Grouch and Michael Jackson

 circa 1979

Source [Suicide Blonde]

A woman scorned

Remember Waiting to Exhale?

Image Source [just feeding unhealthy obsessions...]

she's making me sexist

It sucks that Flight of the Conchords decided to stop their show.

Image Source [Tempestuous Nights]

Book Review: Convincing Arthur by Ava March

Convincing Arthur by Ava March
Rating: 2/5

I'm a fan of fanfiction, especially the slash variety (if you haven't noticed - big Harry/Draco shipper) and a lover of regency romance (I'm a total anglophile), so I thought this little tale of a M/M regency romance might just be up my alley. And it was and it wasn't... First I wouldn't call this a pure romance, it's more erotica (which is perfectly fine, great even) but the story was so flat that is was almost boring.

Perhaps this story is part of a series (I wasn't sure) because I felt like I should know more about these characters and just jumped into a story a couple hours late. The novella (it was rather short) could have been so much better if there was more character development, one guy is titled, rich and a bit shiftless the other a workaholic commoner. The rich guy is in love with the commoner and he wants to start a relationship with him... but I didn't really feel a connection between them.

I will say the love scenes are pretty hot but just know before you read it's erotica and more like novella.

That said, enjoy the quick steamy read!

Karl Urban

Image Source [ohyeasexymenyea]

Better Book Titles: Decision Points by George W. Bush

Source [Better Book Titles]

Hello, I'm Shelley Duvall

I've never seen the Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre.

I've got two ears and a heart, don't I?

Oh that 30 Rock amuses me so.

Image Source [fy30rock]

Pretty picture of Beyoncé

Source [fyeahqueenbeyonce]

Monday Morning Links

Who could forget Charlie Sheen in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (yeah, I'm late posting this)

• My new screensaver - simple and classic

• I'm thinking about buying this watch, only $35

• 13 books that every African-America should have in his/her home - interesting list, I think I have some book buying to do

• A survey says that mixed races are what Americans consider the most beautiful... well, now, that's interesting.

• The U.K. diagnoses the youngest alcoholic - a 3 year old!

• The reverse chronology of Patrick Stewart - I am uncomfortable with Mr. Stewart having hair

• This made me chuckle... but then again, I always chuckle when people confuse Star Trek and Star Wars

• Woman writes a politically incorrect (that's putting it nicely) dating guide based on race

• Someone redesigned the 2011 best picture nominee posters... very nice stuff

• The history of science fiction (an infographic)... this graphic is massive

• The British might have issues but they can make an amazing cup of tea

• The top 10 great historical impostors 

• Joke of the week?

Image Source [Suicide Blonde]

Better Book Titles: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Source [Better Book Titles]

Random

Source [vi.sualize.us]

The 40 Year History of E-books

Source [Ebook Friendly]

I want this book

Source [fyreading!]

Better Book Titles: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Source [Better Book Titles]

Listen to Dr. Seuss

Source [Libraryland]

How to be a Cool Math Nerd

Cute.

How I feel after I go to the movies

Source [A raging angel in an eagle's flight...]

The first man to order fish AND chips (together)

Oh, the British you make me laugh.

Book Review: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

Reading The Eyre Affair during lunch.

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
Rating: 4/5

This book was recommended to me a while back and I finally got around to reading it and well, I loved it!

I'm finding it hard to describe the plot because so many things were going on and I liked so many subplots I can't figure out a concise way to explain it all... so I won't, here's a summary from WorldCat:

Great Britain circa 1985: time travel is routine, cloning is a reality (dodas are the resurrected pet of choice), and literature is taken very, very seriously. Based on an imaginary world where time and reality bend in the most convincing and original way since The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Eyre Affair is a delightful rabbit hole of a read: once you fall in you may never come back. England is a virtual police state where an aunt can get lost (literally) in Wordsworth poems, militant Baconians roam freely spreading the gospel that Bacon, not Shakespeare, penned those immortal works. And forging Byronic verse is a punishable offense. This is all business as usual for brainy, bookish (and heat-packing) Thursday Next, a renowned Special Operative in literary detection -- that is, until someone begins murdering characters from works of literature. When this madman plucks Jane Eyre from the pages of Bronte's novel Thursday faces the challenge of her career. Aided and abetted by characters that include her time-traveling father, an executive of the all-powerful Goliath Corporation, and Edward Rochester himself, Thursday must track down the world's Third Most Wanted criminal and enter the novel herself to avert a heinous act of literary homicide. A brilliantly outlandish and absorbing caper destined to become a classic adventure tale, The Eyre Affair is an irresistible thriller and the introduction to the imagination of a most distinctive writer. In Jasper Fforde's singular fictional universe no literary character is safe from crime. And for Special Operative Thursday Next this is only the beginning ...

Did that summary get you excited!? I hope so.

Anyway a couple quick points:

• I read Jane Eyre in high school but completely forget the plot, so while reading this novel I assumed their description of the novel was correct, until the end of the book when I found out the truth. I have to say I liked not remembering the story of Jane Eyre while I read this book and then quickly reading the wikipedia page of the story... well I was blown away at how well the author dealt with this... I won't say anymore, unless I reveal too much
• All the British literary references Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, Francis Bacon, and others were wonderful! I had to do a little wikipedia-ing though to get all the jokes.
• This story has a diabolical villain! The character of Acheron Hades is worth reading. Avarice! I would love to read a novel just about this character.

Over all this was an excellent book filled with literary humor, science-fiction fun and for a bonus it has a diabolical villain.

I highly recommend!

A joke on page 111:
Q: Why is a raven like a writing desk?
A: Because Poe wrote on both.

Poland 1970

Image Source [everyday I show]

The Amazon Fairy

I just got:

1. Ken Jennings's Trivia Almanac: 8,888 Questions in 365 Days - and yes, this is going into the bathroom, I don't care if you judge me. Isn't that where everyone keeps their trivia books?
2. Urawaza Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks From Japan by Lisa Katayama - this book sucks, the "tips" aren't that great and barely have anything to do with Japan
3. The Social Network - I really liked this movie, especially the Winklevoss twins, I mean Armie Hammer
4. Stranger Than Fiction - I saw it once, liked it so I purchased it
5. Absolutely Fabulous Season 1 - slowly but surely I'll get all seasons

The Difference Between Science Fiction and Fantasy

"Science fiction deals with improbable possibilities, fantasy with plausible impossibilities."
— Miriam Allen deFord

That about sums it up, don't you think?

Breath should be held...

Source [A raging angel in an eagle's flight...]

Book Review: Passing by Nella Larsen

Passing by Nella Larsen
Rating: 3/5

An interesting story written in 1929 about two women. One black but passing as a white woman, the other black but choosing not to pass even though her skin and features would allow her to. These two women reconnect after years apart and the story depicts their lives and the choices these two woman made.

The most dramatic part of the book is the life of the woman passing as white, you see she's married to racist, check out this excerpt which I found garring:

     An on-looker, Irene reflected, would have thought it a most congenial tea-party, all smiles and jokes and hilarious laughter. She said humorously: "So you dislike Negroes, Mr. Bellew?" But her amusement was at her thought, rather than her words.
     John Bellew gave a short denying laugh. "You got me wrong there, Mrs. Redfield. Nothing like that at all. I don't dislike them. I hate them. And so does Nig, for all she's trying to turn into one. She wouldn't have a nigger maid around her for love nor money. Not that I'd want her to. They give me the creeps. The black scrimy devils."
     That wasn't funny. Had Bellew, Irene inquired, ever known any Negroes? The defensive tone of her voice brought another start from the uncomfortable Gertrude, and, for all her appearance of serenity, a quick apprehensive look from Clare.
     Bellew answered: "Thank the Lord, no! And never expect to! But I know people who've known them, better than they know their black selves. and I read in the papers about them. Always robbing and killing people. And," he added darkly, "worse."

Wow! That's powerful stuff. Could you imagine being a black woman, living your life as a white woman and married to Mr. Bellew? What type of life is that? What would he do if he found out you were really black?

Anyway, it's a very short read that gives us a glimpse into race relations in early 1900s and the lives blacks who passed as whites.

Mr. Darcy - we can't get enough of you

I was wandering around Barnes & Noble the other day and noticed an interesting trend... the number of books about Mr. Darcy. Yes, that Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Apparently people can't get enough of him.

I will admit (don't kill me) that I'm not a big Pride and Prejudice fan, well that's not entirely true. I love all the films, but the book, I'm like eh *shoulder shrug*... I just didn't get into it and fall in love with the novel like most people. Granted, I appreciate the quick wit Ms. Austen expounds in the novel, hey I'm a sucker for all things British especially the Victorian and Regency eras but the novel just didn't connect with me. The films, well, that's another story, visually (on screen) the novel is more appealing to me than the words (strange, huh?). I can't get enough of them... I say remake them as many times as you want, I'll keep coming back for more.

I grabbed a couple of the Mr. Darcy book covers and made the graphic above

But if you are a Mr. Darcy fan, well here, take your pick:

• Mr. Darcy's Daughters by unknown (2003)
• Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife: Pride and Prejudice Continues by Linda Berdoll (2004)
• Dating Mr. Darcy: The Smart Girl's Guide to Sensible Romance by Sarah Arthur (2005)
• Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Helen Halstead (2007)
• Mr. Darcy's Diary: A Novel by Amanda Grange (2007)
• Ein Date mit Mr. Darcy by Lauren M. Henderson (2008)
• Two Shall Become One: Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Sharon Lathan (2008)
• Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready (2008)
• Impulse & Initiative: What if Mr. Darcy had set out to win Elizabeth's heart? by Abigail Reynolds (2008)
• Mr Darcy's Diary by Maya Slater and David Rintoul (2008)
• Mr. Darcy's Decision: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by unknown (2008)
• Me and Mr. Darcy: A Novel by Alexandra Potter (2008)
• Mr. Darcy's Dream: A Novel by Elizabeth Aston (2009)
• The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy: A Novel by Maya Slater (2009)
• The Other Mr Darcy by Monica Fairview (2009)
• Waiting for Mr. Darcy (Indigo) by Chamein Canton (2009)
• Loving Mr. Darcy by Sharon Lathan (2009)
• Dancing with Mr Darcy: Stories Inspired by Jane Austen by Lane Ashfeldt (2009)
• My Dearest Mr. Darcy by Sharon Lathan (2010)
• Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Abigail Reynolds (2010)
• Pride/Prejudice: A Novel of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, and Their Forbidden Lovers by Ann Herendeen (2010)
• Mr. Darcy's Great Escape by Marsha Altman (2010)
• Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo (2010)
• Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange and Elizabeth Jasicki (2010)
• To Conquer Mr. Darcy by Abigail Reynolds (2010)
• Mr. Darcy's Little Sister (Pride & Prejudice Continues) by C. Allyn Pierson (2010)
• Mr. Darcy's Obsession (Pride & Prejudice Continues) by Abigail Reynolds (2010)
• In the Arms of Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice Continues) by Sharon Lathan (2010)
• Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge by J. Marie Croft (2010)
• Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Simonsen (2011)
• Mr. Darcy's Secret by Jane Odiwe (2011)
• Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise (2011)
• What Would Mr. Darcy Do? (Pride & Prejudice Continues) by Abigail Reynolds (April 1, 2011)
• The Trouble with Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice Continues) by Sharon Lathan (April 1, 2011)
• The Truth about Mr. Darcy by Susan Adriani (May 1, 2011)
• Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman by Maria Hamilton (May 1, 2011)
• Mr. Darcy Goes Overboard: A Tale of Tide & Prejudice by Belinda Roberts (Jun 1, 2011)
• Definitely Not Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos (Sep 6, 2011)

I haven't read any of these novels, but if you have please let me know what you think. Also if any are of the sensual variety (meaning more than hand holding and kissing) please let me know... err, I'm doing a research project, yeah, that's right, a research project. *smiles*

It just does Mom...

Source [Married to the Sea]

God of Love

God of Love won the Academy Award for short film... and I gotta say

1. Luke Matheny is geeky cute and 
2. this film looks all kinds of wonderful

Oh yeah, Luke's on twitter and tumblr.

Monday Morning Links

Harry Potter according to Ned Flanders

• A very interesting slideshow of mugshots from Australia's Justice and Police Museum... make sure you read the captions

• Another one of those 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list.... but divided by decade and century.

• Learn about the underlying themes to Dr. Seuss books

• Top 10 eccentric characters in literature according to David McKie... ever since I read The Eyre Affair I've been meaning to read Martin Chuzzlewit.

• The 10 best neglected literary classics... well, I can't confirm or deny this list because I never heard of any of these titles.

• Michael Fassbender who plays Magneto in the new X-Men: First Class film gave this quote: "The way we were looking at it was that Charles is like Martin Luther King and Magneto is more Malcolm X." I think the comparison is way off but I kind of see what he's saying... and I'm interested to see how this prequel will go.

• Watch the Picard Dance Song

• Speaking of Star Trek, check out the official Star Trek pajamas - only $4.50 circa 1980

• The real names of 60 rappers and R&B artists... spoiler alert: Flava Flav is not his birth name

• This is not good, but meet the world's youngest grandmother

• Want to get the new iPad 2... well, check out the banned commercial

Image Source [Reading is Fundamental]

Book Covers: Lady Chatterley's Lover

What do you think of this cover for D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover? Erotic? Violent? This image just puts a lot of thoughts in my head, and not all of them good.

Source [...?]

London, England 1968

Image Source [everyday I show]

Never Forget: Season 1 of A Different World

Image Source [Black Girls Rock]

I'm gonna go talk to some food about this

Oh Liz Lemon... your character just speaks to me...

Image Source [30 Rock Things]

Random Gif - Naomi Campbell

Everyone wants friends...

Source [A raging angel in an eagle's flight...]

Internet Dating before the Internet - Lonely Maidens, Widows and Divorcees

I guess you call this paper dating? Well, I guess "dating books" like this still exist, right?

Source [chateau thombeau]