Birthdays, shopping, and 3rd PotC viewing...

[castalia]

*sigh* I say, I'm ever so glad to be home. What a long day!

Today was "no tax day" in Georgia, so my entire family drove down in order to do back-to-school shopping (for my sis and bro), birthday shopping for Jill, and do the usual birthday lunch thing. Lunch was at Golden Corral, and was surpisingly good. Shopping was in Calhoun and Kennessaw, and was...well, mixed. Everyone who knows me well knows I hate shopping (except for books) and can only handle so much of it before I feel like a fidgeting child who just wants to get out of there already. I did find a shirt, though, and something else that made me *very* happy.

Books! Yes, of course books :) I was poking around the discount book store, and was about to dispair when I saw the wonderful name of PG Wodehouse on the spines of 3 paperbacks. I pounced, and have now acquired Carry On, Jeeves,; How Right You Are, Jeeves; and Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves. I am Jeevesless no more! I'm still going to finish Moab is my Washpot, but it's so nice to have new adventures with Bertie and Jeeves in my possession.

Also found cheap copies of Neil Gaiman's Stardust, and Artemis by Julian Stockwell (who is another Age of Sail writer, sort of a successor to Patrick O'Brian). Much happiness.

Also for Jill's birthday, we all went to see Pirates of the Caribbean, since she hadn't seen it yet. This makes my 3rd viewing, and I made sure to take notes (in the dark theatre, so it's amazing they're legible).



For a fic idea, I was trying to discern on what ship Norrington and the Swanns are sailing in the flashback at the beginning. Hard to tell, but it looks like the Dauntless. I suppose it could be any similar ship, but I may use that anyway. It only showed them for brief seconds at a time, but I think I also spied some carronades on the quarterdeck.

Norrington looks hot in that darker wig he wears as a Lieutenant. During his promotion ceremony, he's wearing a white and gold star-shaped medal on a red ribbon. Not sure if it's an award of some kind or an acknowlegement of his rank. Must look into this. He also has gold/brass buckles on his shoes, whereas most of the men have silver. Another rank thing, perhaps?

I made sure to listen, and ealgylden, you were right, Murtogg is the skinnier lobster, and has, I believe, reddish hair. Nice to know I won't have to switch my icon around :)

For some reason, I also wanted to know just what the monkey was wearing. He seems to be sporting a white long-sleeved shirt, with a type of long waistcoast or sleeveless jacket, burgandy with brass buttons and some gold edging. Quite the stylish little monkey.

Before joining in the final battle with the pirates, Murtogg and Mullroy shake hands as a sort of "see you in Hell" gesture. It's cute.

I came to the conclusion that I'm not at all certain I like Will very much, at least not until the end. I have problems with his betrayal of Jack, knocking him unconscious and leaving him behind like that. He doesn't seem at all concerned for Jack until the end, once he's made that complete 180 regarding his thoughts about pirates. Perhaps that's what the writers meant by saying that Jack helps Will to grow up, and become a man. He definitely looks more mature by the end, and even his facial hair changes from a bit of fuzz at the beginning, to a fuller, darker growth at the end. Symbolic, eh?

The crew of the Black Pearl never seem to close the gunports. In any normal ship, this would be pure folly, especially in rough seas, so does the curse affect the ship as well? It must, since she could never outsail the Interceptor with those tattered sails.

I made extra certain to watch for apples. I noticed Barbossa takes one with him to the cave (the 2nd time, when they have Will) in preparation. I also wanted to know exactly when he has that apple in his hand before he dies, as I was discussing it earlier and couldn't remember. He definitely does not have it until after he realizes he's been shot for real, because he pulls apart his coat and waistcoat with both hands, which are empty. Then he talks about feeling cold, falls over, and we see him drop the apple. So he must have reached for it in that short moment between seeing his bleeding wound, and falling to the ground. I find that quite tragic, that he knew he was dying and the only thing he could do was find his apple. This gives me a fic idea...

I can't wait until this movie hits the $1 theatre. I don't think I'll ever tire of it :)

I'm glad to be home. On the whole, today was fun, but the shopping was too much for my tolerance and I'm worn out.

Comments

[ealgylden.livejournal.com]

I made sure to take notes (in the dark theatre, so it's amazing they're legible).

Heh, I do that too. The individual words come out neat enough, but they tend to be scattered all over the page. It's a bit of a puzzle, sometimes.

Norrington looks hot in that darker wig he wears as a Lieutenant.

He really does. I suppose the white is more suited to his later rank and dignity (or something like that), but still. I like the brown very much. I hadn't noticed the costume details, though. Neat, another excuse to see it again. ;)

Murtogg is an almost-redhead? Cool! I never even noticed. And I also liked the little handshake moment he and Mullroy had- nice touch.

Wow, that is one stylish monkey. I'm impressed. I wonder what's going to happen to him, though- I mean, he recursed everyone, but his person is still dead, right? I'm pretty sure Barbossa doesn't get to come back, anyway. So now the poor monkey's all alone. Aw.

I came to the conclusion that I'm not at all certain I like Will very much, at least not until the end. I have problems with his betrayal of Jack, knocking him unconscious and leaving him behind like that.

Yeah, me too. I know he just wants Elizabeth back and that he thought Jack was going to betray him anyway, but still, I expected more from someone so self-righteously heroic. It annoyed me that he kept sniping at Jack for being a pirate and a cheater, and then he went and cheated like a (bad) pirate. Twerp. I like your "condition of facial hair = level of maturity" theory though. Hee! Works for me!

So he must have reached for it in that short moment between seeing his bleeding wound, and falling to the ground. I find that quite tragic, that he knew he was dying and the only thing he could do was find his apple.

That is quite tragic. Poor, tormented Barbossa. Here he plans ahead (I love that he brought an apple specially. Neat) and gets everything almost right, and then the good guys come and louse it all up. And he still doesn't even get his apple. So unfair. Possible fic? Excellent!

We don't have a $1 theater around here anymore (grr), so I've been playing "who has the cheapest local matinee." Means a bit of extra driving, but I'm too addicted to mind it.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Heh, I do that too. The individual words come out neat enough, but they tend to be scattered all over the page. It's a bit of a puzzle, sometimes.

Heheh. Mine were mostly ok, but there was one place where I wrote over something I'd already written. That took some figuring out.

He really does. I suppose the white is more suited to his later rank and dignity (or something like that), but still. I like the brown very much. I hadn't noticed the costume details, though. Neat, another excuse to see it again. ;)

Like we need another excuse *g* I do like the white wigs, but they're just not as attractive as the darker ones. Hmm, I wonder when they stopped wearing the wigs in England...

Murtogg is an almost-redhead? Cool! I never even noticed. And I also liked the little handshake moment he and Mullroy had- nice touch.

Yes, that was a lovely little partner moment! And I rather like Murtogg as a redhead, even if he's not the brightest bulb :)

Wow, that is one stylish monkey. I'm impressed. I wonder what's going to happen to him, though- I mean, he recursed everyone, but his person is still dead, right? I'm pretty sure Barbossa doesn't get to come back, anyway. So now the poor monkey's all alone. Aw.

Every time I think about that last scene and what it means for the curse, I get more confused. It doesn't seem fair for the other pirates and Jack to be cursed again, just b/c of the monkey, but if it's just the monkey, that wouldn't really matter to anyone in the movie. 'sides, why would the monkey want to be cursed again?

That is quite tragic. Poor, tormented Barbossa. Here he plans ahead (I love that he brought an apple specially. Neat) and gets everything almost right, and then the good guys come and louse it all up. And he still doesn't even get his apple. So unfair. Possible fic? Excellent!

Barbossa seems to be inspiring most of my fic ideas for this fandom, followed by Norrington. For some reason, I just adore the old pirate and his love of apples. Plus, I don't dare try writing Jack, with all his weirdness ;)

[ealgylden.livejournal.com]

Every time I think about that last scene and what it means for the curse, I get more confused. It doesn't seem fair for the other pirates and Jack to be cursed again, just b/c of the monkey, but if it's just the monkey, that wouldn't really matter to anyone in the movie. 'sides, why would the monkey want to be cursed again?

So he can get revenge for Barbossa, naturally. He'll get himself a little monkey ship and crew, and sail the Caribbean as Captain Jack Monkey, searching for the blackguard who shot his human. Never again will Jack rest easy, knowing that at any moment, he'll hear the fearsome chittering and shrieking of those demon monkeys and their damned captain, coming to tangle the Pearl's rigging, drop coconuts and bananas on the heads of the crew, and fling poo with abandon. The possibility that this might be the day when Captain Jack Monkey arrives to nip at his ankles and scrabble in his hair will gradually grow to haunt him, and he'll end his days a drunkard and a broken man in the lowest dockside tavern, knowing that, at last, Captain Jack Monkey has had his revenge.

Or something like that. I'm sure there was a reason, anyway.

Barbossa seems to be inspiring most of my fic ideas for this fandom, followed by Norrington.

Well you know that makes me thrilled, at least! They're such great characters and they don't get nearly enough attention from good writers (darn that Will and his pretty cow eyes). Feed those plotbunnies lots of apples! *g*

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

See, now I think *you* should write a fic. That was brilliant *g* What an amusing visual...

Heeere, bunnies, have some lovely apples slices...

[ealgylden.livejournal.com]

Hey, quick question for you. Would you mind terribly if at some point (and I'm not sure yet when or even if) I quoted this bit- (your sensible question) Every time I think about that last scene and what it means for the curse, I get more confused. It doesn't seem fair for the other pirates and Jack to be cursed again, just b/c of the monkey, but if it's just the monkey, that wouldn't really matter to anyone in the movie. 'sides, why would the monkey want to be cursed again? and then my not-a-plotbunny answer- in my LJ? I might want to post that idea at some point just because I think we were funny, and though I'll probably never turn it into a fic, it still might make people giggle. But only if you don't mind being quoted, that is.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Of course I wouldn't mind :) Quote away! I look forward to seeing what you've got planned.

[ealgylden.livejournal.com]

Keen, thanks muchly! Must continue pondering a bit first before I do anything, though. One can't rush in where monkeys are concerned.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Quite welcome! And of course, monkeys are a serious subject. You go too fast and the fur might start to fly ;)

[ealgylden.livejournal.com]

You go too fast and the fur might start to fly

badump ching! Good grief, the comedian's a bear! No wait, I mean... a monkey!

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Lol. I know, I'm sorry, I couldn't resist *g*

::waiting for the Pun Patrol to come and slap on the cuffs::

[cimmerianwillow.livejournal.com]

My sister and I went to Calhoun and Dalton, and I pretty much hated every minute of it. I bought a shirt and found some ReBoot figurines, but my feet were in agony by the time we finished up and the traffic was enough to make me pull out my hair. All in all, not worth the maybe two bucks I saved in tax. Unless a person is buying a hundred dollars worth of stuff, I don't think the stress is worth it.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I think I agree. My trip was worth it, if only for the books and the movie, but I certainly don't want to go shopping again any time soon. *shudder*

[sensefille.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you wrote what you did about shopping. Even though I know I shoudln't, sometimes I feel like a freak for being a girl and hating it.

Three Jeeves books? What a find! Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves is the first one I read and the one that roped me in.

That part you described with the apple at the end was so sad. I hadn't noticed it when I saw it. Didn't even get to take a bite before he died.

I'm glad your sister had a good birthday.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Well, at least we can be freaks together, as usual! I just get frustrated, b/c it's so hard to find stuff I like in stores.

Really? I can't wait to get to that one, then! I'm going to read the two short stories out of Carry On, Jeeves that are new to me, then hit SULJ. I'm so happy to have more Jeeves to read :)

[sensefille.livejournal.com]

Same here. I rarely find anything, and the crowds are terrible. Meh.

We always need more Jeeves. They're like air.

Enjoy the short stories!

[viola-cesario.livejournal.com]

Ooh, sounds like a lovely day, especially since you found things while shopping. Yay for being no longer Jeeves-less! Very important :) Stiff Upper Lip was my first Jeeves (borrowed from Chrissy;)) and got me completely addicted :)

Interesting notes on PotC. The scene with Barbossa at the end is so sad! It strikes me every time I watch it.

I love Will all the way through, and I forgive him for his betrayal of Jack, because he hears Jack plotting to use him as leverage, thus betraying him. In fact, that's the only reason Jack goes along with him, and Will knows that. I think that's enough of a reason to at least try and get away from him, until he figures out that Jack is on his side (well, most of the time;)) after all. :)

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

With such recommendations, I'm really looking forward to Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves :)

Me too! It's hard to feel happy for Jack and company, when Barbossa has such a tragic end.

That makes sense :) I do like him by the end, although he's far from my favorite character.

[rosabuddatchery.livejournal.com]

Ditto re the shopping. I can only take it in small doses. Book shopping, however, is wonderful. ;)

What wonderful Jeeves finds!!! Well done; well done. :) Oh, that darn Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves is giving me a headache as the library still has not sent it out and I'm stuck waiting, going off my feed and being in nothing short of total despair. ;)

Wow, $1 theatres? I'm impressed; never heard of that before.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I can never get enough of book shopping. It definitely made up for the rest of it :)

So sorry your library is being like that. Is the book in transit like before?

Yes, we have several of those in this area. They've taken older theatres that are outdated and sort of run down, and turned them into cheap theatres (99 cents during the week, $1.50 on weekends) that have two or three movies at a time. This is after they've disappeared from regular theatres, and they usually stay only a week or so.

[rosabuddatchery.livejournal.com]

It served a soothing balm. Can't bear shopping, awful stuff it is.

Yeah, it's in transit, so the waiting continues. :/

That's really nifty; there's nothing like that around here. I feel rather deprived. No wonder you're looking forward to PoTC arriving there--plus, sounds like a cool atmosphere. :) Sigh, the average ticket price here--matinees also--is $10.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

$10?! I say, I'd probably never go to the movies at that rate. Highway robbery, that is.

[rosabuddatchery.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's grotesque. I don't get to the movies very often.

Book Shopping & Pirates

[kathlaw.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the books! One always has too many for the allowed space and never enough at the same time.

And cool on the ReBoot toys. Which ones do you have? I have a postcard of the grown-up AndrAIa and ... (brain died) her boyfriend, Dot's brother.

Know what you mean on shopping. True friendship for me is hanging around while a friend tries stuff on. I try to avoid it if at all possible, as I hate being that bored.

Cool on the Pirate conclusions. As I recall from my Hornblower books, the buckles would of course be different for an officer, and while the silver could be pot metal, the gold was often brass, depending on the officer's personal funds.

Obviously I'm going to have to see it again, as I was so enthralled with Will's swordfighting that I didn't quite pay attention to his betrayals.

Re: Book Shopping & Pirates

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know, I really need new bookshelves!

cimmerianwillow is the one who found the ReBoot toys, so I'm not sure which ones she has. I *think* she got Dot and someone else, though.

That sounds about right to me too, re the buckles. I need to research the details of the uniforms of that time period. I usually focus on the Nelson era (and Hornblower, of course :)