Random Things That I Enjoy
Nov. 26th, 2006 09:29 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
olde_fashioned
Random Things That I Enjoy:
1. Reading. This is really a no-brainer, if you've read my profile. I don't get to read half as much as I would like to, but when I do get a chance to read, I truly enjoy it. Books are treasures, and they are something to be cherished, savored, and pondered. Just think of all the people, past and present, that never learned how to read. Think of all that they missed! Think of all the brilliant ideas, the beautiful stories, the fascinating characters, that they will never know.
2. Typing on the computer. Does it sound silly if I say that I enjoy something as mundane as typing?? I suppose it does, but I really do enjoy it. Lame, I know. But I like to type because A) I like writing/talking, B) because I like being online, and C) well, this one is reallly dumb, but I like the sounds and the feel of using a keyboard. See? I told you it was stupid!!
3. Rainy days. I know some people detest rain, and I am usually one of the first to complain when it rains on a day when I have to be out-and-about running errands, but I really do love the rain. Especially at night, when I am lying in bed waiting to go to sleep; listening to the soft patterings of raindrops is a wonderful sound. An ideal day for me, would be a perfectly rainy, cloudy, and chilly day, where I could curl up on my bed under one of the beautiful quilts my mother has made for me, and read a good book.
4. Beautiful things. This is really vague, I know. What I mean by this, is mostly just anything that strikes me as beautiful, or particularly pretty, such as a sunset or a landscape. (When I say "landscape," I mean a natural, picturesque view, such as hills or trees. No city skylines for this country girl!) Other things that I often find lovely, are antique clothing. People just don't take the pride and the care in their handiwork anymore, like they used to. Heck, most people don't even have a skill anymore, that involves using their hands!! (Unless you count text-messaging or fiddling with an ipod.) Whatever happened to craftsmanship, and careful attention to detail?? Whatever happened, to the exquisite models of talent, and skill so frequently exhibited by our forebears, such as this gorgeous, splendid example??? 
Any thoughts or comments welcome!
laus Deo,
Lauren :-)
~olde_fashioned~
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Date: 2006-11-30 02:00 am (UTC)It's just more that we have in common. You should see the costuming books I have on my shelf.
Cate
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Date: 2006-11-30 08:51 pm (UTC)What do you think of this dress, then, instead?
Or this one, since I know you are a Regency fan.
I think read hair is gorgeous. My own is brown, but it does have some red tones to it. I too, have pale skin, and I am proud of it. (It's old fashioned!! *wink wink*) Do you have blue eyes? Mine are green.
Costuming books? HA! There are more costuming books in my house than anything else, and then there are the ones on loan from the library..... I plan on a blog entry recommending various costume references; which do you enjoy? I think Dover's books are excellent.
Lauren :-)
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Date: 2006-12-01 06:14 pm (UTC)I've looked at quite a few of the Dover publications, but I'm always disappointed that there's not colour. Half the joy of costuming is colour, as I learned from my years in a university theatre department (most of my work was on costumes and lighting).
My favourite book is one on the Kyoto Costume Institute. I would travel to Japan just for an hour in that place. Sadly, the book's now out of print, but I managed to get my copy.
Cate
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Date: 2006-12-01 09:26 pm (UTC)Me, too. ;-) I love yellows, but somehow they make me look seasick. I look better in greens.
Yes, Dover needs more color illustrations, but for references they do have excellent books on the subject. Their Dictionary of Fashion is particularly useful.
So you actually worked in theatre?? How fun! Did you get to design costumes for plays? That would be fantastic. Do you have any images of your work? I would dearly love to see them!
Which KCI book do you mean -- is it this one? http://www.amazon.com/Fashion-Collection-Kyoto-Costume-Institute/dp/0760782024/sr=1-2/qid=1165008169/ref=sr_1_2/002-2405842-8700022?ie=UTF8&s=books I have gotten this book from the library time and time again, and I never cease to get a thrill from all the lovely photos. *sigh* If you ever go to Japan, can I tag along?? ;-) How about the V&A...now there's a museum for you......
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Date: 2006-12-03 04:28 pm (UTC)Actually, even more than the V&A, I recommend the History of Costume Museum in Bath. It's in the basement of the Upper (New) Assembly Rooms. I spent hours there!
Cate
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Date: 2006-12-03 05:20 pm (UTC)I know their Jane Austen in Film exhibit is supposed to be fantastic -- and if online previews are any indication, then I agree! What did you think of that part of it? And if you don't mind my asking, do you have any photos you'd be willing to share? :-P
When did you go to England? I've never been, but *someday* I would love to. Did you see the Tower of London, and all the Queen's jewels?
'till later,
Lauren :-)
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Date: 2006-12-04 02:27 pm (UTC)Yes, I spent a day at the Tower, which was quite interesting. Though I almost found the security around the jewel as interesting as the jewels themselves.
Cate
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Date: 2006-12-04 10:26 pm (UTC)~L. :-)
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Date: 2006-12-08 03:14 am (UTC)I have the wonderful opportunity, in 1999, to live in Paris for a month, taking a university course in art history. I had no experience in art history, I was there for an easy credit, and because is was Paris. We would meet the prof at a museum five days a week, spend the morning learning about this or that, then spend the rest of the day just 'being'.
The wonderful thing about the course was discovering that the more details you know, the more you can appreciate something. Most people spent a minute or two in front of the painting Olympia by Manet in the Musee d'Orsay. Because of my prof's explanations, I stood there for I-don't-know-how-long. It's now my favourite painting.
When you do make it to the Tower, you will appreciate those jewels more than twenty others put together. They'll see a few pretty things...you'll see an entire country's history.
Cate
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Date: 2006-12-08 04:57 am (UTC)The French certainly have some nice fashions, although I must admit I'm partial to the English styles myself...
Whenever I look at something "old" or antique, I cannot help but think of the person who owned it originally. You know how people say if things could only talk? That's what I imagine sometimes, about certain things.
Take an old book, for example. Let's say the book is 200 years old. Who purchased it when it was brand new? Who was excited to read it, and sat down and turned it's crisp pages for the first time...who placed it beside their bed each night after reading in bed? How many different pairs of hands did this book pass through before it came into mine?
I know this might sound ridiculous, and I'm sure I'm not expressing myself very well, but I think it's fascinating to think of the people who lived before us.
I've been doing some Genealogy lately, and doing so has made me wonder the same questions about my ancestors. I've got a lot of Scottish blood in me, so perhaps that's where I get my stubborn streak!! ;-)
~L. :-)
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Date: 2006-12-08 08:15 pm (UTC)I have to admit, I don't really do that myself. But in my defense, I've not been around that many antiques. I did get that way when I was in England and France, with the buildings, the places. I'm rather a 'walk the terrain' person.
Cate
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Date: 2006-12-09 05:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-09 02:59 pm (UTC)Cate
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Date: 2006-12-10 04:52 am (UTC)~L.
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Date: 2006-12-10 04:48 pm (UTC)Must leave out the parts that readers tend to skip. (That's a paraphrase of a famour writer I don't have time to look up )
Cate
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Date: 2006-12-10 04:49 pm (UTC)Cate
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Date: 2006-12-11 06:26 am (UTC)As to what readers are interested in, I savor the details in the books I read. There is nothing more frustrating to me, as a reader, than too little detail. Some authors' characters seem only to wear "a simple blue dress" no matter what the weather, and I, for one, do not think there can ever be "too much" detail. :-)
~L.
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Date: 2006-12-11 02:51 pm (UTC)I understand that feeling, but since I self-identify as a writer, I should at least be striving for improvement. (I even put a workbook about sentence diagramming on my Christmas wish list.)
As for detail, what bothers me is irrelevant detail. For instance, I don't describe many of Sophia's dresses in my novel, but there is one that takes up a good three paragraphs. The difference is that this is quite a revealing dress compared to what she normally wears (and it's Jack that's doing the describing -- the detail shows his growing interest in her as a woman, rather than a girl).
Cate
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Date: 2006-12-11 10:42 pm (UTC)That's good! Even though I'm not an author {yet...;-)}, I do try to keep my grammar and punctuation in check, and I strive for clarity in whatever descriptions I might be making.
As for detail, what bothers me is irrelevant detail.
What would you consider as irrelevant detail? I am all ears. As a reader, every last tidbit, the color of the hero's eyes, the style of his hair, down to the type of buckle on his straight-lasted shoes is a treat to savor.
(I even put a workbook about sentence diagramming on my Christmas wish list.)
Oh dear...I am afraid that diagramming sentences never was my strong point...in fact it is practically impossible for me to comprehend. ;-) Perhaps I should look into this book!!!
Did you fashion Sophia's dress after an historical original, a movie costume, or something of your own design? I'd love to see it if you have an image.
'till later,
~L. :-)
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Date: 2006-12-12 11:14 pm (UTC)Irrelevant detail is (to me) anything that doesn't introduce something to the character or plot. For instance, if you want to show the hero is a bit of a dandy, you could spend pages describing his clothing in meticulous detail, or you could have him stab himself in the cheek with a starched collarpoint when he tries to turn his head.
I've had it drummed into me by those more experienced, basically since I started writing, that one needs to find the few 'telling' details and cut out the rest. It's a question of focussing the reader's attention on what's important and not letting them get distracted or bored by what's not.
There are writers who can spend pages describing one outfit and make it successful, but they are rare -- and much more talented than I.
Cate
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Date: 2006-12-12 11:58 pm (UTC)I see your point now, about irrelevance. Battle tactics always bore me to death, but then I suppose they are delightful to some. :-\ I like the bit about getting stabbed in the face with a starched collar!! LOL! Sounds a bit like Beau Brummel!
Since I've never read your book, (duh) I can't honestly say anything about it, but just from reading your blog and comments, I think I can safely say that you have an excellent narrative style that is easy to read.
As to experience, I suppose the only way to get that is to practice!! ;-)
~L. :-)
PS. Would you believe the spell check flags the word "blog"??????
no subject
Date: 2006-12-15 04:10 am (UTC)I went into my files and, would be believe it, I've cut it! It might be in one of the earlier draughts. I'll see if I can find it.
Would you believe the spell check flags the word "blog"?
I would. There are some interesting words that don't exist in the spell-check dictionary. I'm only glad I figured out how to change my dictionary to British English.
Cate
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Date: 2006-12-15 10:13 pm (UTC)Okay, thank you! I love reading other people's work, and I've quite the curiosity to see some of yours. ;-)
There are some interesting words that don't exist in the spell-check dictionary. I'm only glad I figured out how to change my dictionary to British English.
Spell check is sometimes a royal pain -- I am forever having to add words to it. Sometimes I catch myself slipping into "the Queen's English," or rather the computer catches me. I read a lot of Brit Lit, so I'm sure I've unconsciously picked up some of the spelling habits from that. I still think "theatre" and "honour" look better that way...;-) I didn't realize Canada spelled things the English way.
~L.
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Date: 2006-12-16 02:39 pm (UTC)If I don't find it, I can track down another excerpt, I'm sure.
I didn't realize Canada spelled things the English way.
Most of our spelling is British, but some words we have all our own. For instance most Brits call it a sofa, most Americans a couch. We call it a chesterfield. (Though couch is becoming much more popular now.)
Cate
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Date: 2006-12-17 02:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-04 12:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-04 10:18 pm (UTC)Nice to "see" you again. ;-)
Yes, I believe we do have several things in common! I am very fond of all things Irish, as well. Have you ever heard of Celtic Woman? What do you think of their music?
~L.
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Date: 2006-12-06 09:33 am (UTC)Thanks. :)
I understand you. Why is my generation becoming so lazy? Why don't they care for detail much anymore?
Just take to a place that hasn't been urbanizied so I can live working and peace and quiet..
Um..
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Date: 2006-12-07 05:24 am (UTC)I wish I knew! "The more I see of the world the more I am dissatisfied with it." I think I must have been born in the wrong century...lol
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Date: 2007-01-05 07:47 pm (UTC)German born English Composer of the late Baroque era, 1685-1759
But his music still most certainly lives on, :) Don't worry about it.
I know! :D I made a Handel's Messiah website.'Alas' I can't login to it anymore.. http://www.myspace.com/handelmessiah
You can look at if you like.
"There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more I am dissatisfied with it; and everyday confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense."
Pride & Prejudice, Chapter 24
That so amazing to write something so clear. Amazing.
Yet, if you didn't live in the century, you would not have met me. :P But I see what you mean, cutlure itself is starting to dissolve in the pop cultures.. When will it end? I don't know.
But I wish I could live as they lived somedays.
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Date: 2007-01-06 05:19 am (UTC)