The First Church of the Heretics

(21:51:45) Bookwyrm: Hmm, what should I call the church?
(21:51:54) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Hmmm.
(21:51:56) malkah: Poor Darwin. XD
(21:52:00) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Saint Booky's. . . something.
(21:52:08) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Wait, you a saint? Never mind.
(21:52:11) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Ithie!!!
(21:52:13) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad hugtackles
(21:52:20) MinotaurforAslan: The non-levites?
(21:52:21) Bookwyrm: Hey Ithi
(21:52:21) malkah: The Snarkathedral.
(21:52:24) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Are you feeling any better?
(21:52:30) malkah: IZZY!
(21:52:32) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: THE SNARKATHEDRAL. xD
(21:52:35) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: I LOVE that. xDDD
(21:52:38) Bookwyrm: lol
(21:52:42) Bookwyrm: me too
(21:52:50) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: And he can deliver snarky sermons and it will quickly become the most populous religion in the world.
(21:53:09) malkah: Yes. With a worldwide Youtube congregation of millions.
(21:53:15) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Yes!!! XD
(21:53:42) malkah: He'll have the Imperial March played on the organ when he comes up to preach.
(21:53:49) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad FISTPUMP
(21:53:50) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Mal.
(21:53:55) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: You are a genius.
(21:53:56) MinotaurforAslan: I might go to that church
(21:53:57) Bookwyrm: Definitely
(21:54:00) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Booky, you should hire her.
(21:54:06) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: I'd definitely go.
(21:54:11) Bookwyrm: And instead of suits and dresses, we would wear capes
(21:54:17) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: YES!
(21:54:21) malkah: YES.
(21:54:24) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: What would the choir outfits look like?
(21:54:37) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: WB, Cor
(21:54:38) Ellesar should plug in her nook
(21:54:44) Bookwyrm: Storm trooper armor
(21:54:48) malkah: WB, Cor!
(21:54:49) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: ROFL
(21:54:52) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: I love this.
(21:54:56) PrinceCor004: returns
(21:55:01) malkah: LOL! XDDDD
(21:55:17) malkah: This is pure and utter win.
(21:55:23) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: And the stained glass windows should all depict various scenes of geekdom.
(21:55:40) Lady_Arwen: I think the Grand High Snarpriest should wear a Fez and a bow tie.
(21:55:49) Bookwyrm: Yes! The TARDIS, the Enterprise
(21:55:49) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: YESH.
(21:55:58) malkah: Yes yes yes
(21:56:10) Ellesar: you guys are weird
(21:56:19) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: No, we're awesome.
(21:56:29) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Someday thousands will look back on this day as the start of a Brave New Geeky World.
(21:56:31) Lady_Arwen: We are TEH AWESOMZ
(21:56:33) Bookwyrm: Millenniam Falcon
(21:56:35) malkah: What else could you have? Comic books for hymnals?
(21:56:41) PrinceCor004: Each stained glass window depicts one iconic scene from a Sci Fi film, from Metropolis through The Matrix. xD
(21:56:45) Ellesar: you're weird, Rose
(21:56:46) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad rofls. XDDD
(21:56:46) Lady_Arwen: Milleniam?
(21:56:54) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad is AWESOME!!! Awesome, I tell you!
(21:56:57) Bookwyrm: Ooo, perfect, cor
(21:57:06) Ellesar: that's debateable, dear minion
(21:57:12) malkah: "We're weird now. Weirdness is cool. "
(21:57:15) Lady_Arwen: ...and we can have weeping angels guarding the gates!
(21:57:16) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad shniffles.
(21:57:18) Lady_Arwen: Ooo...problem.
(21:57:24) Ellesar: rofl malkah
(21:57:30) Lady_Arwen: What do you do with the headless monks?
(21:57:34) Bookwyrm: lol
(21:57:36) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: We won't get in trouble with copyright stuff, will we?
(21:57:39) Ellesar: stay away from them?
(21:57:48) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Give them cabbages for heads?
(21:57:49) Bookwyrm: They would pass the collection plates around
(21:57:56) malkah: Have them collect the offering?
(21:58:01) Lady_Arwen: rofl
(21:58:02) malkah: Booky beat me to it. XD
(21:58:11) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: And the collection goes to expanding Booky's comic book library.
(21:58:13) Lady_Arwen: No "donations" though!
(21:58:13) Bookwyrm: If people cheap out and put a quarter in, they start chanting
(21:58:17) georgiefan1: hi people!
(21:58:21) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Whit! *hugtackles*
(21:58:24) PrinceCor004: Have C3P0's as ushers....
(21:58:24) Lady_Arwen: Hey neighbor.
(21:58:38) georgiefan1: Rosie! *is hugtackled*
(21:58:41) Ellesar puts on an episode of Twilight Zone to watch before going to bed
(21:58:43) malkah: THAT would be awesome, Cor.
(21:58:45) georgiefan1: hi Neighbor!!!
(21:58:47) malkah: Squishie!
(21:58:58) georgiefan1: Auntie Dori!!!
(21:59:00) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: I don't know why you want to watch the Twilight Zone when you can just watch the lunacy of chat, Elle.
(21:59:04) Lady_Arwen: And Data can be the dude that rides around in the go-cart taking people from their car to the door.
(21:59:28) PrinceCor004: @ LA. No, Robby the Robot! xDDD
(21:59:35) Bookwyrm: And after the service, we would adjourn to the church's cafeteria to have second breakfast
(21:59:42) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad:
(21:59:46) malkah rofls.
(21:59:50) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Can I be in charge of the food?
(21:59:57) Bookwyrm: sure
(22:00:04) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Yay!
(22:00:10) Lady_Arwen: ...and the elves can keep the Library.
(22:00:30) Ellesar: because I like having background noise, Rose
(22:00:31) Bookwyrm: yep
(22:00:42) PrinceCor004: Second breakfast which includes the special "Green Eggs and ham"
(22:00:44) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad wonders if Booky will dress as Darth Vader and do the sermons in Darth Vader voice.
(22:00:59) TheGentleWarrior: well... still doesn't look like it's emptied out much here, now has it?
(22:01:06) TheGentleWarrior: Maybe a bit of member change, but....
(22:01:06) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Gen! *pounces*
(22:01:10) georgiefan1: Darth Vader is scary!
(22:01:12) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Come, come! This is a very important day in your life!
(22:01:15) georgiefan1: Hermione!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(22:01:17) TheGentleWarrior: ROSE. O.O
(22:01:19) malkah: "Luuuuuke...I am your pastor." XD
(22:01:19) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: The day you become enlightened about HERETICISM!
(22:01:23) TheGentleWarrior: Uhh... why? *is pounced on*
(22:01:27) malkah: Gen!
(22:01:28) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: ROFL, Mal!!!
(22:01:32) TheGentleWarrior: Oookkk...?
(22:01:36) TheGentleWarrior: Hi Mal!
(22:01:37) PrinceCor004: Of course, you'd have to keep the Queeen in the basement in order to get the green eggs....
(22:01:41) Lady_Arwen: Darth Vader: "Mawwiage is what bwings us togetha tooday."
(22:01:43) TheGentleWarrior: GINNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(22:01:52) TheGentleWarrior: .....
(22:01:52) malkah: ROFL, Wren!
(22:01:57) TheGentleWarrior: is someone getting married?
(22:02:05) Lady_Arwen: No.
(22:02:07) TheGentleWarrior: should I even ask?
(22:02:10) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: We seriously need to make fake accounts on April Fool's day and post about this church in CR&P.
(22:02:13) TheGentleWarrior: ok...
(22:02:14) Lady_Arwen: Its...prince bride comment.
(22:02:14) Bookwyrm: "But I don't believe in God!" "I find your lack of faith ... disturbing."
(22:02:20) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: ROFLLLLLLLLL
(22:02:21) TheGentleWarrior WANTS A FAKE ACCOUNT.
(22:02:25) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad bursts out laughing. XD
(22:02:33) malkah: OH MY WORD.
(22:02:34) PrinceCor004: LOL Booky! XDDDDDDDDDDDDD
(22:02:38) TheGentleWarrior: Actually, i'm gonna change my username on April 1st.
(22:02:42) TheGentleWarrior: Booky. XDDD
(22:02:46) georgiefan1: "These are not the ministers you are looking for" XD
(22:02:46) Lady_Arwen: Hey, guys, just as a reminder, fake accounts except on April 1st are against the rules.
(22:02:46) malkah 's sides hurt. XDDDDDDDD
(22:03:08) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad hands Mal some water
(22:03:09) Lady_Arwen snickers.
(22:03:24) malkah takes the water and tries to breathe.
(22:03:28) malkah: Thanks, Rose.
(22:03:30) TheGentleWarrior: Don't worry Lady A. I'd never do that, even though it'd be funny at times, i'm not that evul, trust me. *nods*
(22:03:31) Lady_Arwen hopes mal doesn't do a spittake.
(22:03:41) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Somehow I feel like this church's congregation will look a lot like people at ComicCon.
(22:03:56) TheGentleWarrior: So... fill me in on something about this interesting church?
(22:03:57) Lady_Arwen: lol!
(22:04:03) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Well.
(22:04:11) PrinceCor004: "We'll take the book and preach from the pulpit.... it's the only way to be sure."
(22:04:11) TheGentleWarrior: Something about Darth Vader?
(22:04:17) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: It's called the Snarkathedral.
(22:04:25) Bookwyrm: "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." *force yanks the blaster away*
(22:04:26) TheGentleWarrior: *snorts* XD
(22:04:36) TheGentleWarrior: Snarkathedral?
(22:04:40) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Yesh.
(22:04:46) TheGentleWarrior: Wow. XD
(22:04:50) TheGentleWarrior: I love it.
(22:04:50) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: And Booky's the Grand High Snarker or something.
(22:04:53) TheGentleWarrior: What else?
(22:05:00) TheGentleWarrior: Grand High Snarker?
(22:05:04) Bookwyrm: The Bishop of Snarkitude
(22:05:04) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: I should just send you the chat log.
(22:05:16) Bookwyrm: The Caustic Cleric
(22:05:16) Lady_Arwen: The Grand Exalted Snarpriest.
(22:05:17) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: BUT IT'S TOTALLY AWESOME
(22:05:24) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: And I'm in charge of the foodz. You should join.
(22:05:31) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad hugtackles Ithie. Again.
(22:05:32) Lady_Arwen: Leader of the headless monks.
(22:05:37) PrinceCor004: would like to be incharge of security.... or making sure the grounds are not defiled.
(22:05:40) Ithilwen: Hello.
(22:05:41) malkah helps hugtackle Izzy.
(22:05:45) malkah: We have a chat log for you.
(22:05:45) Ithilwen: What are you guys doing?
(22:05:50) Bookwyrm: Hey Ithi
(22:05:51) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: We totally do.
(22:05:55) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: This is a very important day in history!
(22:05:57) Ithilwen: Great! Go ahead and PM it to me. XD
(22:05:59) TheGentleWarrior: send me the chat log!
(22:05:59) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: WE HAVE FOUNDED A RELIGION!
(22:06:01) TheGentleWarrior: please??
(22:06:03) Lady_Arwen waves
(22:06:05) TheGentleWarrior: I wanna join, too!
(22:06:07) Ithilwen: Oh dear. XD
(22:06:09) Bookwyrm: We're planning the First Church of Totally Awesome Hereticism
(22:06:12) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Can someone else do it? My copy and paste is stupid.
(22:06:16) georgiefan1:
(22:06:19) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad high fives Booky.
(22:06:20) malkah: I've got it.
(22:06:24) Ellesar wants a copy of it as well
(22:06:24) georgiefan1: I'll join!
(22:06:25) TheGentleWarrior: Could you PM it to me anyone? I'd appreciate it.
(22:06:26) Ithilwen pokes Mally's inbox
(22:06:27) malkah: Just a sec...
(22:06:30) Lady_Arwen wonders where she would fit into this.
(22:06:32) TheGentleWarrior: And I wanna join... what can I do?
(22:06:36) Lady_Arwen: "Helloooooo Benjamin!"
(22:06:37) Bookwyrm: AKA the Snarkthedral
(22:06:52) Lady_Arwen wants a copy, too.
(22:06:53) malkah: Izzy, by the way, I'm working on a reply for your PM. It's just going to be a loooong one, so it's taking awhile.
(22:06:55) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Do we need a dance teacher?
(22:06:58) Bookwyrm: You can be the choir director. You'll shoot anyone who sings off key.
(22:07:08) Lady_Arwen: Snarkethedral might sound better.
(22:07:11) Ithilwen: Thanks, Mal. I just sent you another PM. XD But it's short.
(22:07:21) TheGentleWarrior: Who's the choir director? I'm lost.
(22:07:24) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad votes for Snarkathedral, personally.
(22:07:26) TheGentleWarrior: a dance teacher. XD
(22:07:28) Lady_Arwen keeps thinking Ithi is Joe.
(22:07:30) malkah: Oh drat. I lost the log when the chat booted me. Can someone else get it, please?
(22:07:35) TheGentleWarrior votes for Snarkathedral also.
(22:07:35) Bookwyrm: Lady A, if she wants.
(22:07:36) The_Rose-Tree_Dryad: Cathedral. . . Kathedral. . . Snarkathedral.

Looking For Some Friends

The last few weeks have been hectic, and I'm getting ready to go yet another place right now, but, I have a problem.

I lost the addresses for my COMMIT girls in an airport.

So, here is my prayer request, and if you are one of my COMMIT friends, my e-mail: Please pray that I either find someone who has their addresses, or find a copy of their info. I know I gave them all a link to my blog, so if you happen to be reading this, please e-mail me at evenstar.arwenlady@gmail.com and I will send you my regular e-mail.

Thanks!

Conference!!! Day 1!!!!!

Oh my goodness! Today has been so exciting, and it isn’t even half over!! For those of you who haven’t heard yet, I am in Sacramento working (and enjoying) a conference. Last night was wonderful, but late, so I’m running on six hours of sleep…teeheehee! This morning, I was fighting with the alarm clock, as usual…but I managed to get coffee and to my room on time!

Before our first small group, I must have looked like the camera lady, running around with not only my camera but with other leader’s cameras. I did get some great pictures, which I will download and link you to later. We played several different games, some old, some new. Right now I’m scrapping for games that have little (or no) preparation and that forty to sixty girls can play, so if you have a good one, e-mail me, please please please e-mail it!

I have a small group of girls this year…just five girls, one of whom has been on my team before. They are all absolute sweethearts, but slightly quiet. I think the reason they were so quiet this morning was because they were still sleepy, but that is neither here nor there. Actually, it is, because I’m planning of getting them moving tomorrow by moving our devotion forward and playing some teambuilding games with them beforehand. Muhahaha…..Oh dear.

Our devotion this morning was I Corinthians 13:1-4. 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.

For being so quiet, they had several very great insights. We talked about types of tongues, looking at both the spiritual gift of tongues and tongues as different languages. Rachel mentioned that even though we might have the gift of tongues from Christ, which is a powerful gift, it will have no good effect unless it is used in love.

We talked a little about different mysteries and types of knowledge, but did not find any remas here, however, we did find more in the third verse—giving without love. This, we discovered, is a manifestation of pride. If you think about it, it is very hard to be prideful and at the same time to have true love for others. I suppose this could be a sort of love meter—the more pride, the less love.

Our third rhema was concerning hypocrites, and not being Pharisees (this does not give you permission to be Sadducees, thank you very much). We may preach love to others, but unless we apply it to our own families, what good is our preaching? To preach something that we do not follow only alienates those we preach to.

I have extremely thoughtful girls. :)

Our large group was slightly painful, but a blessing nonetheless. Have you ever had something that rent your heart, but at the same time was a blessing? That was this morning, condensed. How hard it is to remove defenses that we put up to keep our hearts from being torn! This is something I struggle with daily, and I know my girls probably do also. I feel so much pain from my own heart tears and from its defenses, and I wish so much to protect others from the same thing. Oh that God would heal those broken hearts! I believe several girls have begun a process of healing today. Have you ever seen the time-release potting soil at a hardware store, the kind that releases nutrients for up to two years after you use it? I wish I could put the spiritual equivalent around them right now, so that in the future I will know that they are still growing. 

See? Micromanaging can be fun.

Our elective sessions were quite fun, and, actually, a little hectic. I never new so many girls would be so interested in something like papercrafting. It was a blessing to listen to them talk as they worked. Beside papercrafting, which I was doing, there were tables for calligraphy, needlework, knitting, crocheting, and origami (actually, we only had 3 tables, but somehow everyone found a place) as well as sports stations and an area for girls to try out about four or five different types of stringed instruments and a piano. It was beautiful to work with girls while listening to the music! I did have a few qualms, however, after rescuing a light colored inkpad from destruction by a stamp that had black ink thickly spread on it. However, nothing was destroyed, no one died or was severely injured, and everyone seemed to be completely enjoying themselves, so….

Our second group session was also very blessed, however, because of the delicacy of the session, I will not be posting of it here. If you wish to know, please talk to me privately. 

Directly after lunch was choir, with the most wonderful conductor ever, Mr. Brian Fox, who the ENTIRE orchestra and choir love with all our hearts. Mr. Fox, I can’t transcribe your conducting style, well, I could try, but I’m it wouldn’t do justice. Let’s just say I think I spend more time laughing and breathing than singing. But, we love you any way. God bless you.

That said, I am going to leave you hanging to find out what happens next, because Mr. Gothard is about to speak, and I am not going to miss out on this.

Pictures can be found here.

The Red Envelope

Greetings, all,

As it is almost Valentine's Day, many people are thinking in "romantic" turns. I would like to challenge you to think in some very un-romantic terms.

One of my mother's friends wrote this, and I believe this is something that can be very effective, if we band together and make it so. Please read on, and then, if you believe in protecting the life of the innocent, copy and tag your friends.

God bless,

Amë Stevens

P.S. For those of you that have forums and if you would like to link to this, please feel free. Some graphics have been included at the end if you wish to use them.

From the email:

>>As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue (abortion). It will be quiet, but clear.

Here is what I would like you to do:

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. Or, if you're sending a valentine card that came with a red envelope, put the card in a white envelope and use the red one for this project. On the front, address it to

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C.

On the back, write the following message.

"This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception."

Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having had a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the President.<<

The second signature is sized 100 x 500. If you click on it you will be able to see the full image. However, it will appear to be cut off on this page.

This image was retrieved from http://www.cardiophile.com/about and then edited. Some rights reserved. Original photo taken by aussiegall.

A Second Set:

All signatures and avatars designed by Amë.

Crushed Perfection (Girls Only)

Every girl’s first crush is Robin Hood, whether it be Disney’s Fox or Errol Flynn. It’s as simple as that. If they’ve heard the story, they’ve fallen in love with this “perfect” man. But, over time, our love for Robin grows dormant, tucked away deep in our heart, where it is hid, as we’ve grown up and realized that Robin is, in fact, fictional, and even if he wasn’t, he’d be dead by now, anyway. But deep down, if we were really, really honest, we still love him.

Then Kris comes along.

Most of you probably don’t know who this “Kris” is. Kris takes many forms and bears many names, but his main characteristic is that he is the heartthrob of a third of the single female American population. In popular media, Kris is more commonly known as Orlando Bloom. He’s perfect for everything—graceful as an elf, strong as a warrior, and as honest as Will. In local church youth groups, he takes the form of a more modest Kris-worship leader, cute, funny, honest, and believes that girls think in a manner that can best be illustrated by making spaghetti. However, any girl confessing her love for a Kris is smiled at, the aforementioned boy discussed, and then, just as the conversation is moving on, someone leans over and whispers “he’s out of your league.”

Hearts sink. With a more critical eye, she surveys her new love and realizes that he is, indeed, out of her league. Not to mention ten or fifteen years older than she is. Sigh. So over time she “grows out” of her crush and move on to more fertile ground. He is never mentioned again, and her love is laid to rest beside Robin in her own little love-sick graveyard. But, just like Robin, we still love him, and perhaps every now and then we’ll sneak a wreath in to lay over the unmarked grave.

But wait! There is one more who catches our little lady’s eye…and he’s cuter than Kris. So she meets Dan, who is responsible for the second third of crushes in the U.S.. Dan is better than Kris, and he has a dry sense of humor. While he might not be the youth’s worship leader, he is captain of the basketball team, the school’s star player, and class president. Did I mention that he is not just cute, but handsome? He’s also a prankster…but that only makes him more endearing. Unfortunately, she’s not the only one who has noticed Dan. Half of the school swoons if he happens to glance in their direction. Sure, he’s not dead, which is a plus, and he’s not twice her age, but her chances of getting him are just about as low.

So she sighs again and…stumbles across the We-Hate-Dan club, comprised of the other third of the female population. These girls are bent on destroying Dan, and getting every other girl to realize that he really is not as good as they think he is, a la John Tucker Must Die (which, incidentally, I only recommend if you are wishing to lose brain matter). They’re so focused on making his life miserable that they don’t even take time to look around and find out who else is cute, until they move away to college, and find some decent looking, not really impressive guy who they settle down and spend the rest of their life with. And then, every now and then, they sit down with a cup of tea and dream…of being Maid Marian, and waiting for Robin to come and rescue them.

And what did YOU have for dinner last night?

Octopus with soy sauce and tomato...Sounds great, doesn't it?

Heh.

Unfortunately, it appears this is really a dish. According to our corespondant (yes, our. The other half of my split personality is making its rounds, so you have to put up with both of us. :P ), a few nights ago(alright, late in January), some teenage boys were having an adventure.

With octopus.

Did I mention it was live?

Evidently one of them had found some sort of recipe for these little cephalopods, and they were on a war path to try it. There are no reports on what happened to those involved in the carnage, although I think one of them is missing a nose at the moment, and no one was interested in eating the leftovers the next morning....

Interestingly enough, the boy's wild adventure with creatures from the depths (or not so depthy) sea applies to more than just their tummies.

The Law defines octopi as unclean creatures. They do not have fins or scales, which is the requirement for any water-dwelling creature to be considered "clean."

Or does it?

Our Lord redefines "clean" and "unclean" when He stated that;

"What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.'"

Although none of our dear little squishy friends are here to hear that, it should make them happy.

I, for one, am not interested in such culinary excursions, so I will bow out from further courses.

Have I ever shared our family's Possum Recipe with you?

Aslan Returns, Part XII: Rumours and Guesses

I know, I know. I spelled it wrong. But we are talking about a series where all the main characters are from The Big UK. Rumours and Guesses will run whenever an interesting tid-bit comes up. However, the purpose of this is NOT for A City to become a random fan site, but rather for improved analysis of information, as always.

Rumour/Guess #1: Tilda Swinton will reappear as the Lady of the Green Kirtle, as well as Jadis. Now, it has been openly mentioned by Tilda that she would be willing to come back for The Magician's Nephew, but that was after she said she had done no filming for the White Witch section of Prince Caspian and before anyone ever found out that she had done a cameo. As for the cameo, NarniaWeb noted that "According to director Andrew Adamson, Tilda Swinton and her children had another short cameo in Prince Caspian—as centaurs."

The Adamson later continues "...she's wonderful. She's just kind of this fan of the film. She said in an interview at one stage that she'd be happy to do [it]...even if it was in my garage and she had to wear a pointy hat. And when she won her Golden Globe or the Oscar, I texted her and said, 'Will you still do that movie in the garage?' And she texted me back, 'Where's my call sheet, dude?' She's great."

Since Tilda seems to have such vested interest in the series, it is not beyond the reach of possibility that she will, in fact, play both the Lady of the Green Kirtle and Jadis.

Aslan Returns, Part XI: Aslan

Young Hillary Clinton

Her majesty has just declared that she is pulling out of the presidential candidacy race and is supporting Obama.

Aslan Returns, Part X: Duel and Corresponding Battle

As this posts, I am no where near a computer, much less a computer hooked up to the internet. I've finally discovered how to set stuff up to post ahead of time! woot!

Peter, Edmund and Caspian have, by this point mostly mended their relationships. No one is angry at anyone, and no one feels above or beneath the others. It is during this time also that Susan and Lucy set out on the secret mission, only for Susan to come back with Caspian (hmmmmm....).

The duel progresses in a very different manner than in the book. In the book, Peter sprains his wrist. Here, he dislocates his shoulder (if you were wondering why Ed grabbed his arm and jerked it like that, that's why). Instead of Miraz being stabbed in the back while Peter waits for him to rise, Peter hands the sword to Caspian, and then Miraz is stabbed (with one of Susan's feathers, incidentally), and the Telmarines call foul, although this fits in the movie's storyline much better.

The Battle is very well done, and creates a whole new style of fighting. Instead of relying solely on ground and air troops, a new method is developed: underground troops. Here the Narnians literally pull the sod from beneath the Telmarine's feet. The Narnians have little need to fight. They are barely getting started when Aslan awakens the trees, and the trees and the river god take care of the rest. A much smaller battle then the battle in the first movie, and much smaller than I imagined the battle being, but actually larger then Lewis actually wrote, but it sets Aslan up to have a much more grand entrance, because, really, that's who its all about, right?

Whaddya mean, no?

Aslan Returns, Part IX: Miraz and Queen Prunaprismia

Miraz’s bid for the kingship begins before the film starts, yet he is not crowned until later, contrary to the book, where he is already king. However, he has an odd relationship with his wife, who, incidentally, stars the first about three to five minutes of the film, as the film immediately descends into Caspian’s escape from the castle and incidental discovery of the Narnians. But I digress.

Miraz and Queen Prunaprismia, who will be best remembered in my book as the person with the hardest name to type (I’ve mistyped about five times already, and we’ve only seen her name twice.), have a strange love/hate relationship, if they have a love part of the relationship at all. It is clear that Queen Prunaprismia did not marry for love—she even at some points seems to disdain Miraz. There are three key points of their relationship in the movie.

The Castle Raid
When Caspian rescues the doctor, the doctor mentions just slightly something about Miraz killing Caspian’s father, Caspian the IX. When pressed, Cornelius refuses to say anything much, so Caspian sets out (against the plan) to discover what exactly happened to his father. Thus he ends up in Miraz and Queen Prunaprismia’s bedroom, moments before Peter and Susan. With his sword at Miraz’s neck, and with the queen’s crossbow aimed at him, Caspian demands to know the truth: did Miraz really kill King Caspian the IX?

Queen Prunaprismia does not let Miraz answer.

“You told me Caspian [the tenth] died in his sleep!”

Miraz does not even look at her.

“He did die in his sleep.”

Emphasis on did.

Queen Prunaprismia is quite shaken, and not quite sure she is happy with how things are turning out. It is at this point that disdain clearly crosses her face, before firing the crossbow, and then screaming and crumpling up in a heap because she’s sure that Miraz is dead and she just killed Caspian.

Poor lady.

Miraz’s Crowning
There is nothing significant at Miraz’s crowning, unless you count those absent. Prunaprismia is not visible at the ceremony.

The Door Between the Worlds
The second person wishing to depart from Narnia, and going with Lord Sopespian is Queen Prunaprismia. Miraz is gone, and it is very clear that she wants a new life for both her and her son. It appears that her father goes with her. Aslan breathes on and blesses all three, and then they depart. She does not appear to mourn Miraz’s passing, nor does she hold a grudge against Caspian, or even Peter. She is instead clearly ready for a new life in a new place, where she can raise her son with a new hope. She is no longer poor, but is instead blessed. With her riches she found no blessing, but with her loss of the kingdom, she finds what she had been missing: blessing and hope.

Aslan Returns, Part VIII: The Trees and Lucy's Dream

I had wondered if the trees would by somewhat like the Ents in Lord of the Rings, and, while that would have been really cool, it would have seemed too much like they lifted it. So I was interested in what they would do. I was pleasantly surprised with how the trees looked, and the ability of the roots to run around all over the place.

The dance of the trees was much less detailed then Lewis had laid out in the books. It was much more mystical and strange because it occurred in Lucy's dream, which Director Andrew Adamson had noted was not necessarily a dream, but had a strange quality of a dream. Some reason that the dream was left that way because it was a promise of Aslan's arrival, not His actual arrival, whereas in the book it was the first time that Aslan's arrival was confirmed. Others will not vary from the book, asserting that it was no dream. Both of these viewpoints add some interesting thoughts to our Christian lives.

The Promise
The promise of Aslan's arrival is played out very clearly in Lucy's dream. She gets up and wanders away from the campsite, then notices the trees moving, and sees Aslan. The two converse, and then Lucy asks why Aslan didn't just come roaring in and fix everything like he had done earlier. Aslan replies that nothing happens "the same way twice," and Lucy wakes up. Later, when she does actually meet Aslan, they share the same conversation.

Many times in our Christian life we only get promises in dreams, or in some cases a dream of a dream. I think this leads many of us to doubt if it really was a promise for us, or if we were just indulging in wishful thinking. You can almost see Lucy go through this thought process. She tries to follow her path in the dream, but does not find Aslan. Peter and Susan are believing that they have to do everything on their own...so is Aslan not coming? Is Lucy holding on to an ancient myth that no one believes anymore? Or does she have a promise in her dream?

The Son of the Emperor Over The Sea in the Flesh
If, indeed, it is not a dream, but Lucy does truly speak and visit with Aslan, and we just miss out on the rest of her conversation, we have not lost much. Aslan has already asserted that he will make things right. But once again, Lucy's faith must come to the rescue. Aslan is there, living and moving, but for now only among the forest, not in and among the Narnians. However, he is doing his own work, and Lucy is revived by periodically seeing him, and more often then not, burying her face in his mane.

There is no second guessing yourself here--you can only second guess Him, but he provides strength. And strength comes from burying our faces in the mane of the Lion of Judah--or in our pillows, with our Bible beneath.

Aslan Returns, Part VII: Castle Raid

The Castle Raid is not where the script deviates the most from the book, and if it is, it's the least offensive. However, it opens a whole new area up to our investigation, as well as interpretation.

The castle raid seriously develops both Peter and Caspian, while proving the Susan is remaining static. Edmund is only slightly involved, more for a light-hearted side of the raid than action. He still plays a key part though, and his "electric torch" (i.e., flashlight) aids greatly in the humor.

It is here, in the castle raid, that the conflict between Peter and Caspian reaches its climax. Caspian is against the raid, while Peter wishes to be the first to attack. Caspian does not stick to the plan, while Peter refuses to allow for changes. Caspian is looking for old friends and truth; Peter, for glory. The colliding goals absolutely spoil the raid. Because Caspian's heart is not in the raid, he is able to easily adjust his goals as he moves along. Unfortunately, Caspian and Peter do not have any way to communicate changes as the raid progresses, thus causing its demise.

Neither will take responsibility for the mishaps that result from the lack of communication, and so Caspian storms off into the How--where Nikabrik is waiting. Even with his wish that he had not called the ancient Kings and Queens fresh on his memory, Caspian is wary of the White Witch, as he should be. The noise attracts Peter, Edmund and Lucy. Why Susan is not here is a mystery, but fits with how she has been throughout the rest of the film. Nikabrik nearly kills Lucy, but, instead of Nikabrik's killer being an unknown, Trumpkin kills him to save Lucy, a turning point in Trumpkin's character.

Meanwhile, Peter pushes Caspian out of the sphere of the Witch's influence, only to fall into the same trap. If it was not for Edmund, the White Witch would have someone in her control, but Edmund breaks the ice with his sword, breaking the spell. When the ice falls, he is standing before a bas relief of Aslan. Coincidence?

Peter and Caspian look at Edmund, then look over at each other, suddenly realizing that they are both fragile humans, and neither of them has the strength to do this alone. Their reconciliation shows throughout the rest of the film, and when Peter leaves...well, perhaps my good friend Elisa explained it best when she said,

The first time I saw the movie, I left happy and satisfied, and the second time I saw it, I left with a smile on my face, humming the words to "The Call", that beautiful song that plays at the end of the movie. If anything, that song reminded me of why I love Narnia so much. It's not because of the action or the battles or even necessarily the people, but the fact that Narnia is my "special" place, the place I can go and be in a different world and see so many different people and places, all while seeing the truth in life mirrored there. The fact that I can go back there anytime I want, whether it be through the books, or the movies, or even just in my own imagination, is special, and these films that they make just intensify that feeling. And the best part is, there's still more coming...we get to go back in two years! And how fantastic is that?

Very.

Now we're back to the beginning,
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet.
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean you have to forget.

You'll come back when they call you,
No need to say goodbye.
You'll come back when they call you,
No need to say goodbye.



P.S. I think this may fall alongside Yoda's Theme from Star Wars as one of my personal themes.

Aslan Returns, Part VI: CG Characters

For any of my following statements to make good and perfect sense, we must delve into one of my favorite areas of film making: computer generated animation, otherwise known as CG fill-in-the-blank.

As could be expected, the CG characters were wonderful, and were carried out perfectly. The movie, as was previously mentioned, begins in Narnia, and it isn't long before we see a computer animated figure in Trufflehunter, the badger that lives with Nikabrik and Trumpkin. Keeping--and even surpassing--the high standard that has been set for computer generated characters, Prince Caspian hits every note that was laid out in the book. the characters move flawlessly around, the stilted movement of early animation from the BBC version completely lost. The mice are mice, not puppets. And Aslan is larger than ever, just as Lewis had noted.

And boy, does it ever enhance the film. Trufflehunter is vaguely reminiscent of the Beavers, being of the same approximate shape and height, and the centaurs are--well, some of them are just darlin'. There are some smaller centaurs, including a child centaur, which I later found out was one of Tilda Swinton's children. More about that when we hit "Rumours."

The river god is amazing. I think the only thing that could have improved that segment was to actually mist the audience with water when the river god charges. The river god is not, as I had orginally thought, a nyad (the water version of dryads) sort of creature, but is actually a mass of water in and of himself, and quite reminiscent of the water horses in Lord of the Rings. The water is not static, but moves within the form. Unfortunately, he does not speak to Aslan as in the book, but that is definitely not the animator's fault.

And yes, Reepicheep is as cute as all get out.

Aslan Returns, Part V: Susan

Lucy believes. Peter fights. Edmund grows. Caspian learns.

Susan doubts.

I never quite understood why Susan does not come back to Narnia with the rest of the Pevensies. I once read a very cynical explanation that C.S. Lewis thought that seven kings and queens of Narnia sounded better then eight kings and queens of Narnia.

That wasn't a very satisfactory answer.

I have heard others say that this was a refutation of the once-saved-always-saved belief. So why couldn't Lewis have picked someone like Eustace? He's not really a favorite of the series.

But, I have finally come to understand. In Prince Caspian, a small scene was inserted when we should hear Trumpkin snoring (he didn't, if you were wondering). Here, Susan tells Lucy that she was just getting used to being in England again, and now everything has been turned topsy-turvy. She acts as if she is moving in a dream and wonders, however slightly, if Aslan even exists anymore. I think, in the depth of Susan's mind, she is "grown-up" enough to be able to live in one place at one time and do so without assistance. Yet, while Peter goes through the same thought process, he realizes as he tries to lead the Narnians, that he can't. Susan does not. She seems to move through the movie as if the only thing to do was to get everyone where they needed to be and get home. While the others learned a lesson during their first visit to Narnia, Susan did not. She is facing the exact same lesson again--letting go of full control of all events.

And she receives another failing grade.

To look on the other side of Susan, or rather, to look at Anna Popplewell, is another story. Anna says that she will miss filming, and plans to visit ("but now I have to fight my way through security...." sounds like trying to fly somewhere!), but feels confident that she is ready to move on to other things.

She is beginning to care only about lipstick and nylons.

I have found some interesting progressions in photos of Anna. At one point, Anna, who is undeniably very pretty, no matter how you cut the cake, seemed to shine, no matter where she was or what she was doing. I remember looking at one picture where she was windblown, a bit dirty, and probably sweaty, and thinking something along the lines of "wow, I wish I could look that way in those conditions!" But Anna does.

Then she discovered the lipstick and etc. Since the release of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Anna's lips have been slowly but steadily getting redder. Her neckline has been slowly and steadily getting lower (I hope it stops pretty soon.), and, while she will miss working with everyone on set, she says she is ready to move on to new things.

Just like...Susan.

Aslan Returns, Part IV: Caspian

The first question that will appear in many minds is "why on earth is she looking at Caspian before finishing the Pevensies?!?!?!?"

I have a reason, and, hopefully, after reading this, you will understand why.

Andrew Adamson's Caspian, and Ben Barnes, have had an uphill battle with me. When I first heard who, well, after I first saw a picture of who, would be playing Caspian, I had a very cynical outlook on the entire film, which was, in part, justified. Being a die-hard C.S. Lewis fan, and having been very happy with the first movie's adherence to the books, I was unhappy with the difference in the age of Caspian in the book and Ben Barnes, and I was also unhappy with how different he looked from Peter. C.S. Lewis had specifically noted that Caspian was a boy like Peter. In fact, I even quipped to one of my buddies that it wouldn't have been bad at all if Ben Barnes and Orlando Bloom were cast as Caspian and Peter, which shows my utter dislike of the differences. While I did not expect Disney to come up with a carbon copy of William Moseley for Caspian, I still wanted something a bit closer.

But then I sat down in the theater.

Ben Barnes' performance blew me away.

Everything I had ever expected in Caspian was there on the screen before me. He was a young boy, but he was also a man. He was fighting for a throne, yet he knew how inadequate he was to hold it. I was so stunned that someone had to point out to me how his accent came and went before I realized it.

My skepticism about the differences between the book and the script was pretty much completely healed with Caspian. The writers had reached into the book and pulled out the heart of what C.S. Lewis had written about in Prince Caspian, and they built a story around it. This covered a multitude of sins, including the romance angle between Caspian and Susan. But even with the heart of the book in their hands, the movie would have been terrible--except there were some actors who understood the spirit of the story.

The Caspian that Andrew Adamson built had the spirit of the books, even though it lacked the exact details that were given by Lewis. Caspian is at the same brink in life as Peter is: he is no longer a boy, but he is not quite a man. Yet, he reacts in a much different way than Peter. Instead of looking inward and trying to use his own strength to conquer, he looks out, first to the Narnians, then to the ancient kings and queens, and then finally to Aslan himself. When he does try to work in his own strength, during the night raid, the raid is botched, but he seems to slowly begin to understand that it was, partially, his fault, and that he can't control everything by himself and still make out alright. In fact, he even trusts Peter and Edmund so much with the outcome of the duel that he is gone for a large portion.

Caspian's growth and change mirrors that of Peter's. The power play is truly a power play. Caspian knows that the kingship is his by right, and the concept of having a high king over all kings is foreign to the Telmarine mind, however different Caspian's personal views may be. While Peter is fighting the fact that he will not be returning to Narnia, Caspian is fighting for his rights. As Peter begins accepting the fact, Caspian begins to realize that a kingdom is not a right, even for a prince. It is something to be earned, and even then, the kingdom is not his--he is only the steward.

A steward is much different then a king. A king rules supreme. A steward is entrusted with duties, but is accountable to the king. Caspian first understands being a King of Narnia as something where he is the only ruler--a Telmarine mindset. As he watches the Narnians and the ancient kings and kings, he begins to understand that the Pevensies were untrusted with their rule by Aslan, and just as Aslan called them into Narnia, he called them out. And he begins to wonder if he has that sort of strength, to be Aslan's steward for so many people. But he begins to understand. A mark of his understanding, as well as his respect for High King Peter, comes just before the Pevensies leave.

Peter gives Caspian his sword. But Caspian does not take it as a gift. He simply says "I will keep it for you." He claims it not as a king, but as a steward.

It is then that he becomes the true King of Narnia.

Aslan Returns, Part III: Ed

Edmund has clearly learned his lesson from the first story, and is not about to make the same mistake twice. When the others don't believe that Lucy saw Aslan, Edmund does. Edmund's faith is as sure as Lucy's is, but Edmund is growing during this adventure in Narnia. There are two instances that show Ed as a changing man.

The first involves the White Witch. Now, it is interesting to note that Tilda Swinton did no actual filming for this segment of the film. But that is beside the point. While both Caspian and Peter seem to fall under her spell, Edmund doesn't. He makes sure to stay out of her range of influence, and, like he once shattered her wand, shatters the ice of the spell. He knows the strength of the spell, but instead of backing up and leaving, he stays to deliver those who are afflicted. It is interesting to note that, when he breaks the spell, he is standing right in front of a carving of Aslan. Perhaps a flashback of Aslan's deliverance of him? Who knows.

While Peter is taking the "King" thing too far, Ed is learning to know the exact bounds of his authority. When he is sent with the challenge for the duel, Miraz addresses him as "Prince Edmund." Ed looks up at him, then says quietly, "Actually, it's King." Miraz is shocked, so Ed repeats himself, then explains that Peter is the High King, but he is a King, and he expects Miraz to deal with him as he would another King. He is not arrogant, nor prideful, but he is confident.

This confidence, combined with his faith, shows a new dimension of his character. While Peter feels he must take all responsibility on himself and be victorious without Aslan, and Lucy only looks for Aslan's arrival, Ed combines the two. He has faith in Aslan's arrival, but he also has confidence that he is doing as Aslan wants him to. He is ready and willing.

Shouldn't we all be?

Aslan Returns, Part II: Lucy

For all the threats, fears and doubts that harass Susan and Peter, Edmund and Lucy have few. For all the responsibility Edmund picks up, Lucy carries little. But it is not because she is the youngest. I think her siblings learned that lesson last time. Instead, it is because of her faith.

Lucy, in a way, is the most static character in the series. While she does have the child-like faith that Aslan knows exactly what he's doing and will, in his own way, fix everything, she rarely feels challenged in her faith.

As the younger of the two Pevensie girls, Lucy serves as an open ear to Susan's doubts and fears. When Susan wonders why Aslan is not appearing, or if he even exists anymore, Lucy is quite confident that Aslan will appear, and will set everything right. When Susan continues to question, Lucy points out that "maybe he wants us to prove ourselves to him, first." This seems to be an encouragement to Susan, who promptly rolls over and goes to sleep. Lucy, on the other hand, has her first encounter with Aslan, which has a very dreamlike quality to it. While it seems real, when Aslan she and Aslan begin to speak, she suddenly wakes up, once again. It is upon her going to investigate, and Peter following her, that they discover the Narnians. But if her dream was a dream or not is for us to decide, as she and Aslan have a nearly identical conversation in a nearly identical setting later on.

Other than that, Lucy plays a very minor roll among the Pevensies, until the duel, in which, to note, Peter's shoulder is dislocated, whereas in the book he sprains his wrist. But Lucy is not there. She has gone into the woods. The original intent of Lucy's departure is undefined, but it seems she is going to get help. Whether she is looking for Aslan or not is unclear, but, she finds him, after an extended chase in the woods, that includes the famous picture of Susan and Caspian on a horse together.

Then the Lion roars, the trees awake, and Lucy sets to work beside Aslan. Her faith never falters, she never stops and looks back. She only asks Aslan for more courage.

And she is a lioness.

Update

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Aslan Returns, Part I: High King Peter (the Magnficent)

In light of the recent release of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, I have been hurled back into the world of blogging. My notes on my initial viewing of Prince Caspian will be cataloged in the series "Aslan Returns." All posts will have some spoiler content in them.

The movie begins in Narnia, and then transfers over to England, where the four Pevensies are getting ready to go to school. Lucy runs up to Susan and demands that she comes with her, then leads her older sister through a throng of school children, finally coming to the middle, where Peter is in a fight.

Thus we see the High King for the first time.

Peter's character progression is very pointed and complex. He is still turning from a boy to a man, even though William Moseley is 21. But I desist.

There is, as was surmised by certain smart people who enjoy spoilers, conflict between Peter and Caspian. The very first time they meet, Peter and Caspian fight, and are only stopped from killing each other by Lucy. Once the Narnians begin forming battle plans, Peter and Caspian clash again, often looking to throw the guilt of all mishaps on each other. After the night raid, Lucy, who did not accompany the others, asks, "What happened?" to which Peter only says, "Ask him," jerking his head in Caspian's direction.

While it is true that Caspian is at fault for the mishap, Peter has his own guilt in the matter. But most of the conflict comes from a sort of power play between the two. Peter is still playing the part of High King Peter The Magnificent (which is what he introduces himself as to Trumpkin). Throughout the entire film Peter is fighting, and then slowly accepting, that he is not coming back. William Moseley noted in an interview that he went through the same process, first resisting, then regretting, and finally accepting that he would never play the part of Peter again. A mark of Peter's knowledge, acceptance, and the passing on of leadership, as well as his respect for Caspian, comes just before the Pevensies leave.

Peter gives Caspian his sword.