OK…..I have an admission to make. A long time ago in grade four, my bestest friend read all the important literature necessary to being a girl in grade four. She read books written by Judy Blume and V.C. Andrews, books that were outlawed in my existence like the secret scrolls of the Gnostics. So now, though I am a full fledged adult with a youngling of my own, I love to indulge my inner teenager with stories about teenage angst, first love, rites of passage, defeating the mean girls, going against the popular high school status quo, and of course, the under dog coming out on top.
Shrinking Violet By Danielle Joseph_Amazon
Just the other day on my travels, I came across a new book titled Shrinking Violet written by Danielle Joseph. This is definitely a Cinderella story with a rockin’ spin. It’s a book about an excruciatingly shy high school senior named Teresa Adams, aka Tere, who winds up indulging her cooler DJ alter ego Sweet T at her stepfather’s radio station The Slam, and ends up becoming a hit sensation with the listeners. Even Gavin, the only boy she dares talk to at school, is enamored of this new DJ at The Slam. Now instead of rockin’ out with her iPod in the privacy of her own room, she’s jammin’ on the airwaves, and believe it or not, her DJ identity is a mystery! Yet the privacy of her DJ sanctum is soon to be disrupted when The Slam holds a songwriting contest, and the grand prize is a date with her at the prom! Will it be her worst nightmare come true, or will this shrinking violet finally bloom and seize the day?
Well, I may have missed my chance to attend Danielle Joseph’s book signing yesterday at B & N, but I won’t miss my chance to pick up a copy of this book that sounds most engaging and looks like it will be a very good read just in time for summer! I definitely recommend it as just the thing to indulge your inner alter ego and maybe even your inner teenager! And don’t forget to check out this author at http://www.daniellejoseph.com/
Posted by Kyra on May 19, 2009 in
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The Other Boleyn Girl_Amazon
The idea that women used to be bartered like cattle a mere 500 years ago is quite utterly appalling to me. No where is this more clearly demonstrated than in the dazzling pageantry of the film The Other Boleyn Girl. Henry VIII was well known as a voracious philanderer, unconscionable adulterer and a murderer. It is this image we remember rather than the charismatic, shining ruler who roused a nation. There are many ways to traverse the downfall of a king, and Henry’s once golden rule dwindled to that of a corpulent man in decline. The theme music in the movie for the character of Henry is ominous and chilling, a fitting score for the reality of the terrifying man. When he tired of one woman, he simply found a way to rid himself of her, and whether it be sinister or not, it was sanctioned lest the ax fall upon the necks of the nobles or clergy of the king’s council.
Henry VIII_Tudor History Org
Unfortunately, the lot of women in Tudor times was bleak at best. Beauty, wealth and good breeding were a woman’s only currency, and making a brilliant match was all one could hope for.
Mary Boleyn At Tudor History.Org
Just look at Mary. She attained the great heights of the king’s bed, only to receive 100 pounds, and that only after being left destitute for quite some time once Henry’s fascination with her waned. Did Anne fare any better? Yes, she became queen of England, the highest of titles in the land afforded a woman, yet even she could not escape the king’s wrath.
Anne Boleyn, the most happy, was cunning and calculating — ruthless even — intelligent and a master strategist; traits that would have been highly valued if she hadn’t been a woman and was a man instead.
Anne Boleyn_Tudor History Org
She was daringly ambitious and eager to rid herself of the yolk of her Howard uncle. The desire to be free of a man was a trait she passed down to her daughter. To be in control of your own destiny was a dangerous desire for a woman in a land where intrigue was rife and betrayal abounded. Terrifying if she failed. Glorious if she succeeded. And in fact, as we all know, Anne did succeed. Yet no truer were the words, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” Written by the master bard Shakespeare in 1597 (approx.) in Henry the IV, Part 2. Who was he thinking of I wonder? The play was written a scant 61 years after Anne — one of England’s most notoriously famous queens, second only to her daughter, the great and glorious Elizabeth I — was executed for the false charges of witchcraft, and the more disputed charges of adultery and incest with her own brother, George on May 19th, 1536 — exactly 473 years ago today.
Elizabeth I_The Rainbow Portrait_Tudor History Org
How well Henry succeeded in thoroughly tarnishing her already dubious character is apparent even to this day, as Anne’s equivocal quilt is open to heated debate even now. Yet Anne achieved a legacy that Henry played an unwitting part in orchestrating, and though Anne succumbed to the executioner’s blade and her own mortal condition, she laid claimed to an immortality that Henry and his contemporaries could have never perceived when Elizabeth — Anne and Henry’s only daughter — laid claim to the throne. So Anne it seems, triumphed after all, though I am certain even that ill fated lady would caution, “Be most careful what you wish for.” Did Elizabeth ever wish to be queen? I wonder.
Yes, Henry changed the very face and landscape of his beloved England, but it was Anne who ignited a king with the force of her will, and begat a dynasty that lasted an age.
Anne Boleyn_Tudor History Org_The Signature of a Queen
Posted by Kyra on May 19, 2009 in
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No Pirates Allowed! For Original Photo See Official Homepage
Well, I do have some news! I have come across a new kids’ movie that looks like it will be great fun for the whole family! It is called Labou and it is out May 19th, which is today! So, tell everyone you know who has kids, because you wouldn’t want to miss it! The DVD is being released through MGM/ 20th Century Fox, and you can find it at WalMart, Target, Best Buy, Amazon, BlockBuster, and many more!
So, buy a copy….or two (it’ll make a cool gift!) and enjoy a great little flick!
No Pirates Allowed! For Original Photo See Link Below!
No Pirates Allowed! For Original Photo See Link Below!
Let’s pretend that this is May 1st during the glory that was ancient and historical times in England. If it were, we would do something that would be called ‘Bringing In the May’. All the robust lads would have erected a May Pole, and at the crack of dawn, all the children would be roused from their beds to run through the fields to gather flowers still wet with dew. The most lovely maiden would be crowned Queen of the May and there would be dancing around the May Pole, revelry and bonfires, amongst other things that would last long into the night. May Day is an ancient festival with Pagan roots. It was the 2nd most important holiday of the year for the Druids because it was when Beltane was held.
Beltane, an ancient Celtic festival, is related to the revels of May Day. May Day or May 1st, falls exactly six months from Samhain, another Celtic celebration of ancient times which falls on the 1st of November. During the day, most of the May Day celebrating was above board, and marked the definite end of a long, harsh and dark winter. At night, however, it was indeed a very different story, when the revels took on a decidedly raucous slant where many random couplings often took place around, beside, far or near the huge Beltane blaze. Many a babe was born nine months hence as an ode to the rejoicing that had taken place.
Oh, how we miss the Pagans. What would it have been like to dance with great frivolity around the beribboned May Pole and be chosen Queen of the May, and perhaps even be kissed by a king? Well, if not during Beltane, then there is always Midsummer, aka Litha, where we can celebrate the Summer Solstice. Wherever there is a bonfire lit, revelry and debauchery are sure to follow. But that my friends, is quite another story…..
Photos:
Beltane Bonfire on Calton Hill
May Pole
