a few unconnected things

[skygiants]

I continue my Changeover-inspired quest to read all the way through Margaret Mahy's oeuvre! (I expect it will be a long quest, seeing as she has written lots and lots of books.) Last week it was Alchemy, which is similar to Changeover in that it is about a theoretically-ordinary teenager who develops their latent magical powers by hanging out with a less ordinary and more magical love interest. It is also similar in that the protagonist's family is tied into the plot in important and interesting ways, although not nearly so much as in Changeover, which remains one of the best examples for me of wonderful real-feeling families in fiction. The characters in Alchemy were also less likeable overall, I think, and at one point one of them did something that I found significantly less forgiveable than the narrative did; also I am really not sure about the conclusion. But there was a lot of stuff about how to balance the fantastic with an ordinary life, and you know I eat that kind of theme up like candy.


In other news, my main nemesis of the moment: GLADIATOR SANDALS. My last pair of boots recently fell apart (I do not know how that happens so often!) so I have been needing a new pair desperately, since nice chunky-heeled black boots are often the most comfortable and convenient work-appropriate footware for me. I have been in and out of half the shoe stores in Manhattan and every DSW over the past few days, and I CANNOT find boots that fit my requirements - or even a new pair of comfortable ballet flats, which I also really need - because every single shelf is taken up with STUPID GLADIATOR SANDALS. (I mean no offense to anyone who approves of the current footware trend for gladiator sandals, I am probably biased against them unfairly by the circumstances above! BUT STILL.) Curse you, spring fashion trends! Cuuuuurse yoooooooooou.


To balance out my ARGH, I have a request - can anyone recommend me Bollywood movies? Preferably musicals with amazing dance scenes? I have been feeling the urge to watch some awesome dancing lately!

Comments

[blacksheep91.livejournal.com]

Boo. Those shoes are quite ugly. Quite ugly indeed. (You've tried looking online?)

[skygiants]

Yeah, I have, and there's one or two boots at DSW online that would be tolerable for me - I hate buying online because my feet are weird and wide, so I'm always wary about buying something without being able to try it on first, but I'm seriously considering giving in just out of desperation!

[wickedtrue.livejournal.com]

I come with shoes instead of Bollywood, I'm sorry to say! Shoe trends lately mean it is HARD to find staples for your wardrobe. (DO NOT get me started on finding a simple, black and brown pair of loafers!)

Modista (http://www.modista.com/)

You tell it what you want, and you get it! I love them, and they are connected with sites that are really good about consistent sizing.

...I am ever hopeful I might get sent out today! The girl next to me just did! I MIGHT!!!!

[skygiants]

Your shoe expertise is ALWAYS WELCOME. Since goodness knows it is approximately 100x greater than mine! *clings and sneakily goes to check out site*

(WHY gladiator sandals. WHY. It is only April! It is not like it is even sandal season yet!)

I will keep my fingers crossed for you! GO WORKING FEATHER GO.

[kattahj.livejournal.com]

RE: Mahy, have you read Librarian and the Robbers yet? I am very fond of that one, for obvious reasons. :-)

RE: Bollywood movies, I can't remember what the musical numbers were like, but I much loved Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, a very touching love story. (The resolution reminded me of another of my favourite stories, Lagerlöf's Jerusalem - and that's all I'm saying about that. Wouldn't want to spoil you. *g*)

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

How about Paheli? It's a heavily folktale-influenced film, set in some never-never Indian past where everyone dances and sings and wears very dramatic costumes! Shahrukh Khan plays both a new bride's cold and unloving husband and the much more interesting spirit who comes to her and pretends to be her husband after the real husband goes off on a business trip.

[skygiants]

I have not! So far I've only read Changeover - which was the one that made me go 'WHY have I not read any Mahy before!' - and then Maddigan's Fantasia and Alchemy. I am looking for whatever recommendations I can get, though, because . . . she has written so many! Must prioritize somehow. :O

And oooh. *makes note* I am not familiar with either of those - thank you!

(Also, I will totally get to your new vid draft tonight - I meant to do it this weekend and then ended up flopping instead. I am sorry for the delay! *sheepish*)

[skygiants]

You know me well, because that sounds 100% up my alley! (Mention very dramatic costumes and I am SOLD.)

IMPORTANT QUESTION: in this film, does Shahrukh Khan sport facial hair?

[kattahj.livejournal.com]

Cool! Though I could give you another one, if you'd rather - I've added a bit more since then.

[blacksheep91.livejournal.com]

Pff. Understandable. (I suppose when you live in really trendy states there's not a lot to choose from but the latest fashions?)

[skygiants]

Definitely send it on over! And feel free to add on any speicfic questions you've got, too.

[skygiants]

(It is so bizarre! Usually they have at least some staples, but these days it is all sandals sandals sandals and wtf.)

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

He does. Is the mustache a good thing or a bad thing?

[skygiants]

Good thing, I think! Last time we were in Boston Shati had us all watch Chak de India, and the general conclusion was that Shahrukh Khan's features somehow improve dramatically with the addition of facial hair. Though that was a scruffy beard rather than a moustache, so perhaps it will affect things differently . . .

[blacksheep91.livejournal.com]

(I mean I don't want to run around in something that Brad Pitt would have worn in Troy, right? They seems so...costumy.

Sandals are tricky. I think I felt the same way about Ugg boots :/ BTW your icon made me lolz ^3^ I don't even know who it is.)

[kattahj.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'll upload the file and PM it to you.

I'm not sure about specific questions - right now, I'm all "OMG this is huge, why did I take on something this huge, my hard drive will fill up and I'll never finish." But the upside is that there are SO MANY women who qualify.

[skygiants]

Yes, and it will be SO AWESOME when it is finished! I mean, just the project itself is a super-awesome concept. :D

Would it be easier if you had my e-mail to send me things directly?

[skygiants]

(Yep. And, worse than that for me, they are ridiculously intricate and seem super-easy to break. And given my shoe track record, this is definitely a bad!

*giggles* That is BABY IAN MCKELLEN in the amazing Scarlet Pimpernel movie, where he plays an angry semi-villainous French revolutionary and makes the most adorable pissyfaces!)

[kattahj.livejournal.com]

Yes, and it will be SO AWESOME when it is finished! I mean, just the project itself is a super-awesome concept. :D

Thank you. I can use a bit of cheerleading.

Though just watching all this stuff is encouragement in itself - you know, "Eee! Helen Mirren! Eee! Margareta Krook! Eee! Imelda Staunton!" Their awesomeness must be recognized. :-)

Would it be easier if you had my e-mail to send me things directly?

Might be, but if you're not comfortable with that I can keep on with the PMs, it doesn't bother me.

[shati.livejournal.com]

I hate gladiator sandals!! I burn them with lasers from my eyes.

There are shoe websites that make it really easy to send back shoes that don't fit for a full refund -- DSW might even be one of them, I can't remember. Just FYI.

[skygiants]

I am always happy to cheerlead! Because dude, it totally does need to be made. There are so many awesome ladies who deserve the recognition.

And I have messaged you my e-mail!

[skygiants]

THEY ARE MADE OF SHELF-DOMINATING EVIL. Also I just find them incomprehensible. More incomprehensible than Uggs! Uggs at least are useful in cold weather!

I think you are right about DSW, which is why they are top of my potential-buying-online-from list! But the other problem is, uh, my all-encompassing laziness that means that I suspect that once I have bought something I will never actually get around to shipping it back, no matter how much I originally intend to . . .

[blacksheep91.livejournal.com]

(Sturdy over trendy is always the way to go, especially if you're spending quite a bit on them!

...My god he looks young/different! Did not recognize him. :| Oh sob, I want to see the musical adaptation so bad. Thank you for reminding me of my pain! *flails*)

[skygiants]

(EXACTLY. I always hope for shoes that last! . . . alas, mine somehow never do.

He was SUCH A BABY back then, it's totally adorable. He also wears a lot of dramatic swooshy capes! I love the musical adaptation a ridiculous amount, but I know it is hard to find a staging of (it is something I really really would like to see again also) so I would also highly recommend the film for Pimpernel-y goodness.)

[blacksheep91.livejournal.com]

(You've already seen it? D: Well, that's just cruel.

I only remember seeing the Loony Tunes parody before I ever knew it was a real story. But then I heard songs from it on an AMV...and now I'm hooked.)