tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50751887927936689562024-03-18T21:43:04.634-07:00From the end of bag.Lazy college student who has a thing for hobbits and musicals.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-44946022197655179612014-08-03T11:30:00.000-07:002014-08-03T11:30:37.553-07:00Moved to WordpressI moved my blog over to wordpress, I will no longer be posting on this blogspot! :)<br />
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<a href="http://mylamalinalda.wordpress.com/">http://mylamalinalda.wordpress.com/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-46932064125306336282014-08-01T09:18:00.000-07:002014-08-01T14:47:50.802-07:00Tolkien Artist Fridays: Angela RizzaI'm actually getting my <a href="http://malinalda.blogspot.com/search/label/Tolkien%20Artist%20Fridays" target="_blank">Tolkien Artist Fridays</a> post up kind of early this week! This week I'm going to be talking about one of my favorite artists, Angela Rizza, you can visit her <a href="http://angelarizza.com/" target="_blank">official website here</a>. Her style is very recognizable, she has a real talent for lines and making it flow within each piece of work, and the colors she uses! They're vibrant and make the subject matter really "pop." <a href="http://middleearthnews.com/2013/05/13/the-tolkien-inspired-art-of-angela-rizza/" target="_blank">You can read more about Angela in this interview I did with her for Middle-earth News.</a><br />
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This illustration of Bilbo is one of my FAVORITES. There's something so fantastical about it, like I can feel the wind blowing through the grass and flowers.<br />
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<a href="http://angelarizza.com/tolkien" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://media.virbcdn.com/cdn_images/resize_1024x1024/19/PageImage-530960-5217942-hobbit.jpg" height="400" width="500" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a>This next one shows the scene from <i>The Hobbit</i> when Bilbo and the Company are riding on the Eagles. Look closely at the line work in the feathers and clouds, it's amazing!<br />
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<a href="http://angelarizza.com/tolkien#/id/i5217143/full" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://media.virbcdn.com/cdn_images/resize_1024x1024/9d/PageImage-530960-5217143-eagles2small.jpg" height="506" width="500" /></a></div>
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Another one of my favorites is this piece of Éowyn and the Witch King. It's a dramatic scene, and I really love the bright colors and flowers on her head, it makes it have a different feeling than other depictions of this moment. Like things may actually take a turn for the better because of this victory.</div>
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<a href="http://angelarizza.com/tolkien#/id/i5217127/full" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://media.virbcdn.com/cdn_images/resize_1024x1024/de/PageImage-530960-5217127-46eb4c9f42fb65d6778ffdf79e8fa0fad4a1sws.jpg" height="625" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-40227468084474611332014-07-27T15:06:00.001-07:002014-07-27T15:06:26.041-07:00Seeing LothlorienLast week I finally made my way over to Lothlórien in LOTRO, and I love it!! The quests are pretty easy, mostly due to the fact that I'm about 5 levels higher than the area (because of festivals mostly). I got to meet a lot of characters including: Haldir, the Fellowship, Galadriel and Celeborn. I've already seen the Fellowship but that was in Imladris, so it's been a while!<br />
Lothlorien may be the most beautiful place I've been to in the game (not counting the Shire!!), the colors change drastically throughout the "day." I completed most quests so now I'm going to move onto Mirkwood, and then Enedwaith and Rohan. I must get my war steed!<br />
<br />More photos below the cut.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-7651041213819025622014-07-26T22:16:00.000-07:002014-07-26T22:16:27.959-07:00Reading Goals for 2014I used to read <i>a lot</i> years ago. When I read <i>Harry Potter</i> for the first time, I breezed through them in no more than two weeks. I banged out <i>The Hunger Games</i> once in just a night. I loved reading, I'd sit or lay down for hours reading. It was just nice to be quiet and relax while losing myself in another world. Because of many reasons I don't want to go into, I slowly stopped and now it's difficult for me to just take time out of my day and <i>read</i>. (Though I read <i>A Storm of Swords</i> pretty damn fast!)<br />
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I've started many books and never finished them, and now my list of "books to read" is getting ridiculously long. Today I logged onto my <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/peregrint" target="_blank">Goodreads account</a> in lord knows how long, and cleaned some things out and added some...<br />
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I NEED TO READ MORE. So I want to make a goal for myself, to make more of an effort to read for the remainder of the year. My class schedule this fall semester will be keeping me busy, but I'll still have time to read. I mean, if I manage to have time to watch cartoons on Netflix I should have time to read, right? Right.<br />
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The majority of books that I want to read are in the fantasy genre: <i>A Feast for Crows </i>and <i>A Dance with Dragons</i> by George R.R. Martin, the <i>Memory, Sorrow and Thorn</i> trilogy by Tad Williams, <i>The Death Gate Cycle</i> series by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman, <i>The Sword of Truth </i>series by Terry Goodkind...and books by Neil Gaiman, Diana Wynne Jones, Jim Butcher...and more, I have to do some research.<br />
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Gotta tear myself away from Netflix and spend some of this summer reading.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-67346243378060206312014-07-25T17:48:00.001-07:002014-07-25T17:48:31.122-07:00Book Haul: July 25, 2014Went to a bunch of second hand shops with my dad today and got six books! There wasn't much in term of Tolkien, but I'm pretty happy with this haul.<br />
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First up is this big book about textiles from Africa, I was really happy when I found this! I have books about textiles from Japan, Egypt and Morocco...I love patterns and designs. I like to use those books as inspiration for my own work. Also there is some great information about how fabrics and designs were created.</div>
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One of the places I went to had a small section that was nothing but fantasy art books, made me wonder if they were all donated by the same person. I usually never see things like this at the places I go to. I got <i>Spectrum 6</i> and <i>The Future of Fantasy Art,</i> these are suuuuch cool books. They're about contemporary artwork in the fantasy world, and about modern artists. Pages and pages filled with beautiful illustrations from a-m-a-z-i-n-g artists.<br />
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These are my last three purchases, <i>Mockingjay, </i>the last book in the <i>Hunger Games</i> series, <i>The Hobbit</i>, and <i>The Dragonbone Chair.</i> I actually used to own all books from the <i>Hunger Games</i>, but almost two years ago I lent them to my cousin because she insisted he wanted to read them. Well it's been a while and I still haven't gotten them back. I'm convinced she lost them, my mistake I shouldn't have let her take them. Decided to just buy them all over again, and for about $1 why not? I just need to find The <i>Hunger Games</i> and <i>Catching Fire.</i><br />
I got that copy of <i>The</i> <i>Hobbit </i>because it's in better condition than the one I have.<br />
And the last one is the first book in the <i>Memory, Sorrow and Thorn </i>series, <i>The Dragonbone Chair. </i>A guy I was talking to really recommended it, and my dad was telling my he really enjoyed reading the series. I'll try to get around to reading it this summer (hopefully).<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-42236887584101867152014-07-25T17:00:00.000-07:002014-07-25T17:00:16.130-07:00Tolkien Artist Fridays: Matthew StewartIt's Friday which means it's time for another <a href="http://malinalda.blogspot.com/search/label/Tolkien%20Artist%20Fridays" target="_blank">Tolkien Artist Fridays</a> post, and today I'll be talking about <a href="http://www.matthew-stewart.com/" target="_blank">Matthew Stewart</a>. I don't remember exactly how I came across his work, but I do remember feeling incredibly impressed. It put a huge smile on my face when I found out that he got hooked on fantasy<i> </i>after reading <i>The Hobbit.</i> He has done a lot of work in the fantasy world, you can see all of it <a href="http://www.matthew-stewart.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Below is an oil painting depicting Boromir from <i>The Fellowship of the Ring</i>. Just look at all of those details in everyone's clothes, all the branches, all of the different faces!! Great, great work.<br />
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<a href="http://www.matthew-stewart.com/portfolio/single-gallery/5184585" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.matthew-stewart.com/picture/The%20Horn%20of%20Boromir.jpg?pictureId=5184585&asGalleryImage=true" height="274" width="500" /></a></div>
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I love his painting of Éowyn (*ahem* I mean Durnhelm) and Merry. The sense of depth is fantastic, even though you cant see all of the men in the background, it still looks like there's a whole army of them there. The horse details are a nice touch as well.</div>
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<a href="http://www.matthew-stewart.com/portfolio/single-gallery/4271356" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.matthew-stewart.com/picture/Dernhelm.jpg?pictureId=4271356&asGalleryImage=true" height="612" width="500" /></a></div>
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The last painting I want to talk about is this one of Strider, I'm assuming he is in the Prancing Pony. I think it captures this quote quite well. "Suddenly Frodo noticed that a strange-looking weather-beaten man, sitting in the shadows near the wall, was also listening intently to the hobbit-talk. He had a tall tankard in front of him, and was smoking a long-stemmed pipe curiously carved. His legs were stretched out before him, showing high boots of supple leather that fitted him well, but had seen much wear and were now caked with mud. A travel-stained cloak of heavy dark-green cloth was drawn close about him, and in spite of the heat of the room he wore a hood that overshadowed his face; but the gleam of his eyes could be seen as he watched the hobbits."</div>
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<a href="http://www.matthew-stewart.com/portfolio/single-gallery/7320417" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.matthew-stewart.com/picture/Strider.jpg?pictureId=7320417&asGalleryImage=true" height="618" width="500" /></a></div>
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Definitely go check out Matthew Stewart's artwork! Now. Do it now.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-2795931294528996752014-07-21T08:13:00.003-07:002014-07-21T08:13:19.662-07:00Collection TourWOOT IT'S PUBLISHED<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-51747153950042205022014-07-20T20:26:00.000-07:002014-07-20T20:26:02.188-07:00Tolkien Collection Video Completed!What did I do today? Finally got around to making that video of my Tolkien collection. It ended up being about 40 minutes long, dang. Anyway, I'm saving it now (it's taking foeverrr) and will be uploading it to YouTube sometime tomorrow. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHIioCVmgzUSnNaw9sc1LEjjSMSOZdwdIs6DqDzeN8K_dzQTcaW_ZvY_uQ5SOpqhs6kjhqfRHzjnQ3YJl-urI2P7ACDS55fpNFA6tGz1TglXIUgO9tN3eD1nEK7Koz31MQNLHzehzsXE/s1600/Video+14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHIioCVmgzUSnNaw9sc1LEjjSMSOZdwdIs6DqDzeN8K_dzQTcaW_ZvY_uQ5SOpqhs6kjhqfRHzjnQ3YJl-urI2P7ACDS55fpNFA6tGz1TglXIUgO9tN3eD1nEK7Koz31MQNLHzehzsXE/s1600/Video+14.png" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-19202909939132080082014-07-18T19:16:00.000-07:002014-07-18T19:18:06.685-07:00Tolkien Artist Fridays: s-u-w-iWHOA, I did not realize it was Friday. Okay I did because Fridays mean new episodes of The Legend of Korra bUT I forgot about Tolkien Artist Fridays. It's a little after 10 pm, it's okay I can do this. Just in time... MOVING ON. Welcome to another week of <a href="http://malinalda.blogspot.com/search/label/Tolkien%20Artist%20Fridays" target="_blank">Tolkien Artist Fridays</a>, this week I want to talk about <a href="http://s-u-w-i.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">s-u-w-i</a>'s work. Her style is really cute and honestly her work is so fun to look at. I wish I could own a copy of <i>The Hobbit</i> that was illustrated by her.<br />
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This was the first drawing I saw by her and I couldn't stop smiling when I saw Bilbo, look at those rosy cheeks!<br />
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<a href="http://s-u-w-i.deviantart.com/art/the-hobbit-295868758" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/104/7/9/the_hobbit_by_s_u_w_i-d4w5hsm.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
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She also has some great watercolor paintings, like this one of Boromir. I can only dream of being able to control watercolors like that.</div>
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<a href="http://s-u-w-i.deviantart.com/art/boromir-456124787" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2014/144/6/c/boromir_by_s_u_w_i-d7jkc4z.jpg" height="640" width="345" /></a></div>
Some of her work has this wonderfully "folky" kind of feel to it like this illustration of Smaug. Look at all of those SWIRLS. If there's one thing you should know about me it's that I love swirls.<br />
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<a href="http://s-u-w-i.deviantart.com/art/smaug-314645793" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/196/9/6/smaug_by_s_u_w_i-d57by8x.jpg" height="341" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-78675548117027204542014-07-12T06:09:00.001-07:002014-07-20T20:32:38.647-07:00Catching up with Myla.It has come to my attention that I have not updated my blog in over two weeks and I have missed Tolkien Artist Fridays three weeks in a row. I done messed up. What's my excuse? I don't really have one I'm just lazy, and it's summer which basically triples my laziness. But I <i>have</i> had a really annoying cold for over two weeks. Being sick during the summer? Nopenopenope no thank you. So what have I been doing these past three weeks?<br />
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I finished my summer course and passed with a B- OOOOOOOOHHH. It was a science class so a B- is like an A+ to me.... I suck at science. I saw How to Train Your Dragon 2 twice and saw Jersey Boys, though I would have rather seen HTTYD2 for a third time. Finished figuring out my class schedule for the fall and I'm pretty excited about it, I'll be taking four studio courses and a writing intensive one so my time will be preeeettttyyyy packed by the time late August comes around. Don't know how but I will survive. I got a new Moleskine sketchbook and made an effort to draw more, even if it's just dumb doodles and sketches. I wrote FIVE articles for <a href="http://middleearthnews.com/author/myla/" target="_blank">Middle-earth News</a>, a big accomplishment because for a while I was writing one every month or so. My last article was a <a href="http://middleearthnews.com/2014/07/11/hobbit-card-tutorial-for-all-of-your-unexpected-party-needs/" target="_blank">tutorial for making hobbit door cards</a> like the ones shown below. I forgot how fun paper craft was!<br />
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I think this happened before I went on my spontaneous hiatus, but I now have a website: <a href="http://mylamalinalda.com/" target="_blank">mylamalinalda.com</a><br />
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That's about it. As for the rest of the summer, I'm hoping on completing a graphic series for Middle-earth News, keep writing articles, do summer things like going to the beach and riding roller coasters, draw some more, and make cards for friends. And I've been asked to make an updated video on my Tolkien collection (the last one I made was more than a year and half ago), so I will try to work on that.<br />
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I'll try to get back on track this week and now I leave you with this.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-38802569547226452452014-06-27T18:17:00.002-07:002014-06-27T18:17:57.474-07:00No Tolkien Artist Friday this week.It's been a hectic week, so I'll be back on schedule next Friday!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-84766058527221130372014-06-21T20:43:00.001-07:002014-06-21T20:43:16.359-07:00Those Little Moments #2Gifs help me see and appreciate small moments from movies/television shows that I never really noticed before. I've been giffing LOTR for a few years now and though it is extremely annoying and tedious (and makes my wrists feel like they're breaking) I've discovered many new things and it made my love for those movies even stronger. So I'm just going to include from gifs from the trilogy that tug at my heart strings the most.<br />
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Aragorn's coronation turns me into an emotional mess but to be fair I'm already an emotional mess by the time this scene happens. I only noticed this moment this year and it....it makes me want to cry. It looks like Elrond is saying "Go to him." And he looks at her with so much love and sadness because he knows she and Aragorn truly love each other but he knows he will eventually need to leave her. And he won't be there for the rest of her life, to see her children, to be able to spend time with his daughter and I'm going to cry. <i>"None saw her last meeting with Elrond her father, for they went up into the hills and there spoke long together, and bitter was their parting that should endure beyond the ends of the world."</i> This <a href="http://lauren-draws-things.tumblr.com/post/61279011227/if-requests-are-a-thing-please-totally-ignore-this-if" target="_blank">post</a> sums up my emotions pretty well.<br />
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Then comes Aragorn and Arwen's kiss AND DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED BECAUSE I WILL NEVER STOP. The way he looks at her, like he cannot believe she's really there. And then she looks at him so hopeful and full of love and happiness that they can finally be together and THEN THEY KISS AND IT'S A GREAT KISS, THEY SPIN, SMILE, KISS SOME MORE IT'S GREAT. Sorry for the excessive caps.</div>
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After the initial kiss they just look at each other, Arwen is stroking Aragorn's hair, he has a look of pure joy on his face it's all too much. The joy quickly turns into something else I don't really know how to explain, it's like a look of wanting I guess.</div>
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Then comes the second kiss and they way he looks at her for a little while before closing his eyes I just. It's like he's trying to make sure he remembers this one moment, her lips against his, this one moment of bliss.</div>
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Ughugh then they smile and it's all too much for me to handle.</div>
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*sigh* Okay that's it. Man, eleven years later and I'm still smiling like an idiot over those two. I hate them. (I love them.)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-9514528072802956632014-06-20T18:10:00.002-07:002014-06-20T18:12:10.694-07:00Tolkien Artist Fridays: lauren-draws-thingsWelcome to week four of <a href="http://malinalda.blogspot.com/search/label/Tolkien%20Artist%20Fridays" target="_blank">Tolkien Artist Fridays</a>! Who else is surprised I have actually been keeping up to date with this? Okay so this week I wanted to talk about Lauren, <a href="http://lauren-draws-things.tumblr.com/tagged/I%27m-sorry-mr.-tolkien" target="_blank">lauren-draws-things</a> on Tumblr, and her absolutely perfect and hilarious Tolkien drawings and comics. If you ever need to smile or get a laugh in your day you should go through her "<a href="http://lauren-draws-things.tumblr.com/tagged/I%27m-sorry-mr.-tolkien" target="_blank">I'm sorry Mr. Tolkien</a>" tag. I've seen all of the posts but I still go back because they're just <i>that good. </i>Some of the drawings have swearing, just a warning if that's not your thing. And don't forget to read the captions under the post, because they're always just as funny as the artwork.<br />
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Here's one of my favorites. I still laugh so much when I see it.<br />
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<a href="http://lauren-draws-things.tumblr.com/post/70911127156/smaug-the-stupendously-big-whiny-baby" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://37.media.tumblr.com/95727f40f5e6ffbe0ed435bacbced22b/tumblr_my9sk0ZdCj1rt9m2no1_500.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>If I have ever talked with you about <i>The Hobbit</i> films, you'll know how disappointed I am at the lack of the starving scene. You know the scene. <i>You know. </i>So this post speaks to me on a spiritual level.<br />
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<a href="http://lauren-draws-things.tumblr.com/post/70528835133/thorin-emptystomach" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://37.media.tumblr.com/3ad9bbdbc35690a684f92e621c0e2aca/tumblr_my2topTOb91rt9m2no1_500.jpg" height="400" width="353" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lauren-draws-things.tumblr.com/post/70528835133/thorin-emptystomach" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://38.media.tumblr.com/9c4cd355f2bf2a03135043890c5f8f39/tumblr_my2topTOb91rt9m2no2_1280.jpg" height="188" width="400" /></a></div>
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Her drawings of chubby baby Legolas give me life.</div>
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<a href="http://lauren-draws-things.tumblr.com/post/72160247660/legolas-was-an-obese-baby-elfling" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://media.tumblr.com/a5e72cdd2b0d7e699a6fcf38f9efcae8/tumblr_inline_myuxsujXzD1rn9btx.jpg" /></a></div>
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See all of Lauren's work on her <a href="http://lauren-draws-things.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a>, <a href="http://lashizaw.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Portfolio website</a>, and <a href="http://society6.com/Laurendrawsthings" target="_blank">Society6</a>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-29607403524799310982014-06-18T19:48:00.000-07:002014-06-18T19:52:39.706-07:00Through the YearsI've been collecting Tolkien memorabilia since early 2002, starting with my dad's old <i>LOTR</i> set and random pickings he found in used bookstores. And since then it has grown much more than I ever thought it would! So this post will be about my collection's journey over the last 12 years.<br />
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This is a photo of a photo because I am too lazy to get up and scan it. It was taken back in 2004 and I distinctly remember walking around in class with it and showing it off thinking I was such hot stuff. "Look at this, look what I have. You jealous?" I felt so cool but no one cared about my photo.</div>
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In 2004 I had:</div>
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<li>the extended edition of <i>FOTR</i> on VHS</li>
<li>the <i>LOTR </i>Risk board game</li>
<li>some newspaper clippings</li>
<li>hardcover copy of <i>The Hobbit</i> (I lost the dust jacket a long time ago unfortunately)</li>
<li><i>LOTR: FOTR</i> chess set</li>
<li><i>LOTR</i> visual companions</li>
<li><i>LOTR: TTT </i>valentines</li>
<li>Some card cets</li>
<li>extended editions of <i>FOTR </i>and <i>TTT</i> on DVD</li>
<li>goblets from Burger King</li>
<li>only a few copies of LOTR</li>
<li>some books on Tolkien</li>
<li>and a Gollum action figure</li>
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Not bad for an 11 year old.</div>
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These next photos are from 2008 and in four years my collection pretty much took over my bookcase. I had a lot of action figures, majority of which I no longer have because I sold them years ago. Maybe one day I'll try and build up my action figure group. I kept the toys pretty organized but everything else was just thrown in.</div>
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This is from 2011, it looks so empty without all of the figures. Around this time, I wanted to move my non-Tolkien books into my bookcase so I tried to neatly pile everything into two shelves to free up some space. I think I did a good job, I mean if you ignore the fact that many things are blocked in the back.</div>
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In 2011 I convinced my dad to switch bookcases with me because I needed more space. I was so happy to finally get wider shelf space, and everything fit so well! And look at the Frodo plushie. Last summer I lost him because I thought it would be a good idea to bring him to NYC with me.</div>
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2013 was the year I added a second bookcase for my collection. I started accumulating things fast around this time, mostly because I discovered sites like abebooks.</div>
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This picture is crap quality but it's the best I can do right now. This is my collection at its current state. Books are stuffed in and there isn't much room left for additions. Action figures and other toys now have their own space which is nice, except Treebeard is forced to stand by himself on the top because he's too tall.</div>
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I wonder if my collection will end up looking different let's say...5 years from now. I'd move in a third bookcase but my room already has three. Two for Tolkien and one for all of my other books. Do I really need a bed in my bedroom?? It <i>would</i> clear a lot of space if I got rid of it for more books... but it is almost 11 pm and pillows and blankets do sound comforting right about now. Goodnight!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-75925429659911728092014-06-13T12:25:00.003-07:002014-06-13T12:25:52.218-07:00Tolkien Artist Fridays: Liga-marta.Whoa, I almost forgot that it was Friday, that was close! Anyway, this is now week three of my series "<a href="http://malinalda.blogspot.com/search/label/Tolkien%20Artist%20Fridays" target="_blank">Tolkien Artist Fridays</a>." For today I chose Līga Kļaviņa (<a href="http://liga-marta.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">liga-marta</a>), I have admired her artwork for a few years now. She has artwork about a variety of subjects, but of course the ones that interest me the most center around <a href="http://liga-marta.deviantart.com/gallery/23854541/Tolkien?offset=0" target="_blank">Tolkien</a>. The colors Līga uses aren't very bright, I would say they're subtle, and her use of watercolor and ink is an inspiration for me because I <i>love</i> working with ink.<br />
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This work on Eowyn I really like, especially all of those tiny folds and details in her dress.<br />
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<a href="http://liga-marta.deviantart.com/art/White-Lady-of-Rohan-187306730" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/328/3/0/3011a8323aa3de6d864f054e16c48699-d33imsq.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div>
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There is not a lot of fanart of Celebrían, but whenever I see one I always feel sad. Her painting of this tragic character tugs at my heartstrings and makes me want to reach in and take her away from what she went through.<br />
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<a href="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/247/2/1/218048bc8714070bf0d1032099afbdb8-d2xzuuf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/247/2/1/218048bc8714070bf0d1032099afbdb8-d2xzuuf.jpg" height="640" width="442" /></a></div>
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This one of Aredhel is a favorite of mine. All of those individual leaves! And that horse!! Love.</div>
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<a href="http://liga-marta.deviantart.com/art/enmeshed-in-Nan-Elmoth-302092329" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/006/4/2/enmeshed_in_nan_elmoth_by_liga_marta-d4zuvxl.jpg" height="640" width="528" /></a></div>
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You can see more of Līga's work on her <a href="http://society6.com/LgaKavia" target="_blank">Society6</a>, <a href="http://liga-marta.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">Deviantart</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/L%C4%ABga-K%C4%BCavi%C5%86a-Illustrations/1414683252088807" target="_blank">Facebook</a> accounts.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-85753926683462586692014-06-13T07:54:00.000-07:002014-06-13T07:54:44.037-07:00The Legend of Korra: Book 3 TRAILER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On my commute home a couple days ago I got a text from a friend in all caps that read "THE NEW KORRA TRAILER." I was on a train around <i>people</i> so I had to somehow try to bury my excitement until I got home. My friend was texting me screenshots from the trailer and soon after I caved and watched it on my phone, bracing myself to not yell or dance around over what I would see. In only just about two minutes, <i>so much </i>happened.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/A0UBbzeFc74?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Okay, one of the first things you see is some absolutely beautiful scenery. This place is so... shiny.</div>
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YES MORE BENDING.</div>
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An entire herd of flying bison!!! *clutches Appa plushie* And are all of those people air benders??</div>
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Who is that? A new bad guy?</div>
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*dreamy sigh* I will never get tired of the animation.</div>
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I wonder what's happening here. They look like they're about to do an ambush.</div>
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Hey Bumi.</div>
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EPIC MUSIC STARTS PLAYING.</div>
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*gasp* SPARKY SPARKY BOOM... WOMAN?</div>
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Whoa whoa whoa whoa. Water bender... who water bends her arms. I'm diggin' this.</div>
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DRAGON!!</div>
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More awesome happens, people are bending all over the place, there's explosions, car chases... all that good stuff.</div>
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What happened to Korra? D:</div>
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LIN!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hnc9F1topQXybaqI9rNK5V07vaBWKQvVJH4d7PwHDsS6gNE5jhZwwX9aPKryuSzlQrROIczGSBht1aGVyDOnQjVY8dlLljt-EEV2Vw8QO7I62clMy2Aasf_BdZ_cK7xYIaNXySjuk4Y/s1600/15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hnc9F1topQXybaqI9rNK5V07vaBWKQvVJH4d7PwHDsS6gNE5jhZwwX9aPKryuSzlQrROIczGSBht1aGVyDOnQjVY8dlLljt-EEV2Vw8QO7I62clMy2Aasf_BdZ_cK7xYIaNXySjuk4Y/s1600/15.png" /></a></div>
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ZUKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! IT'S BEEN SIX YEARS SINCE I HAVE SEEN MORE OF YOU.</div>
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Who are all of these new airbenders?? I need MORE information.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfceOPXX74KhmwcBQ5L8rh_0Ae8SVpJswMsSOWrfyDdM2_y4O9KS0lB1BX7NeU22eutu-AwRmj1ymgnmNOrFpC2V0iHtL6knZtOOowFFbvNEIruKUsmkFpgBqSfC2F9PAdlEGaIjBtivI/s1600/17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfceOPXX74KhmwcBQ5L8rh_0Ae8SVpJswMsSOWrfyDdM2_y4O9KS0lB1BX7NeU22eutu-AwRmj1ymgnmNOrFpC2V0iHtL6knZtOOowFFbvNEIruKUsmkFpgBqSfC2F9PAdlEGaIjBtivI/s1600/17.png" /></a></div>
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Yes yes yesss, lots of female baddies!</div>
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Shit's about to go down.</div>
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ZUKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.</div>
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A lot more epicness happens, I'm just too lazy to include more caps. BUT YESSSSS. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEW SEASON.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-20098841970241406822014-06-06T07:05:00.000-07:002014-06-06T07:05:05.599-07:00Tolkien Artist Fridays: PetitpotatoWelcome to week 2 of <a href="http://malinalda.blogspot.com/search/label/Tolkien%20Artist%20Fridays" target="_blank">Tolkien Artist Fridays</a>! Last week was dedicated to <a href="http://malinalda.blogspot.com/2014/05/tolkien-artist-fridays-gerwell.html" target="_blank">Gerwell</a> and today I thought I'd talk about Natalia, also known as <a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">petitpotato</a>. All of her art is amazing! Her work on the dwarves from <i>The Hobbit</i> may be my favorite, I always find myself staring at the hair not believing how she managed to draw all of those braids perfectly.<br />
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<a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/post/55178156177/how-about-we-take-the-mother-henning-and-turn-it" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/85376ec435a30ffc36be292aed04d052/tumblr_mps3tuYPef1qczumoo2_r1_1280.jpg" height="400" width="337" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/post/49402233484/sleepy-dwarves-i-love-their-family-i-should" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://37.media.tumblr.com/122cfae671c1a6d2f7e3a0e77bcd467f/tumblr_mm5cg5Nmnq1qczumoo1_1280.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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She also has a series where she drew certain Tolkien characters as they would look like as another race. An AWESOME idea! Below is Bombur, Bofur and Bifur. Here are the rest: <a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/post/49952253320/if-dwarves-were-elves-this-looks-more-feminine" target="_blank">Ori, Nori and Dori</a> | <a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/post/50683376249/if-dwarves-were-elves-now-its-balin-and" target="_blank">Balin and Dwalin</a> | <a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/post/54298254248/if-dwarves-were-elves-oin-gloin-and-mini-gimli" target="_blank">Gloin, Oin and a mini Gimli</a> (!!) | <a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/post/58442579425/if-dwarves-were-elves-last-but-not-least-fili" target="_blank">Fili and Kili</a> | <a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/post/55433533609/if-dwarves-were-elves-and-elves-were-dwarves-and" target="_blank">Thorin and Thranduil</a> | <a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/post/58451461377/if-dwarves-were-elves-and-elves-were-dwarves" target="_blank">Legolas and Gimli</a></div>
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<a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/post/49968430224/if-dwarves-were-elves-heres-the-dori-nori-and" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/779da3e6ec2bda3d55a0303d1dfcd08d/tumblr_mmi6h1kOGA1qczumoo1_1280.jpg" height="640" width="484" /></a></div>
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One of my favorite pieces is <a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/post/60964620523/wow-this-took-me-so-much-longer-than-i-had" target="_blank">this one</a> of Thranduil, Galadriel and Elrond. Can you imagine all of the gossip they must have talked about?</div>
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<a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/post/60964620523/wow-this-took-me-so-much-longer-than-i-had" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://37.media.tumblr.com/9dd8a625cca9dfdd841820406f6bda75/tumblr_mszdqk8RUh1qczumoo1_1280.jpg" /></a></div>
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You can see all of petitpotato's art via her <a href="http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> and <a href="http://petitpotato.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">Deviantart</a> accounts.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-2916598100682784672014-05-31T19:49:00.000-07:002014-05-31T19:49:35.469-07:00BookCon and BooksToday I met up with a friend to go to BookCon at the Javits Convention Center. We didn't really know what to expect but we each had plans to go to specific panels. I wanted to get Cary Elwes' autograph and go to his panel for reasons. One of the reasons is because I've had a crush on him since I was a kid I mean what. Anyway we got there around the time it was opening so we had to wait in line outside. Looking around we noticed that there were a lot of teenagers, we guessed it was mainly because John Green and Cassandra Clare were guests.<br />
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We thought we would get to see a lot of great books, get some cool freebies and buy a bunch of stuff. This convention was not what we had in mind AT ALL. BookCon was basically a convention just for YA novels. There were some books for children and a section here and there with art books and other stuff like that (which I would have GLADLY bought but they were pretty expensive). Young adult novels everywhere, they all ended up looking the same. The only thing I bought was an Adventure Time book with 20 art prints, totally worth it. Twenty beautiful prints for less than $20. YES PLEASE. My friend got that and a book of story board art from Star Wars. I bet all the good stuff was at Book Expo.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>We circled around, saw everything and decided to go downstairs to where all the panels were. We ended up sitting behind a trashcan and at one point someone threw out their garbage, missed, and it landed on us. We were trash. That was my BookCon experience. (Ha) We thought about sticking around for our panels but eventually decided against it. BookCon would have been a lot more fun for me if I was 14 years old again.<br />
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We walked to a movie theater after leaving the convention theater and saw X-Men: Days of Future Past, definitely a better choice than BookCon. I enjoyed the movie A LOT, yes good movie. I won't put anything spoilery in this post about it.<br />
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After seeing the movie and grabbing lunch I headed off to Union Square to check out a couple used bookstores because I felt like I needed to treat myself after the disappointment that was BookCon. There were some decent Tolkien finds in one of the bookshops, and I bought a copy of <i>LOTR</i> and <i>Roverandom</i>. There was also a copy of <i>Farmer Giles of Ham</i> that I was so close to getting before I saw it cost $40. I also got a book on Japanese patterns.<br />
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<a href="https://24.media.tumblr.com/c8dcfe3def860f4fbe301d026c652c83/tumblr_n6gy46R0D91qgzdhjo4_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://24.media.tumblr.com/c8dcfe3def860f4fbe301d026c652c83/tumblr_n6gy46R0D91qgzdhjo4_1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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At the second bookshop I visited I got a book about oriental carpets because heck yeah those designs are great, a book about Morocco with some great photos in it and one on Toulouse-Lautrec.</div>
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<a href="https://31.media.tumblr.com/fcc45fa059d76fe9a528a9f8c1d7f39c/tumblr_n6gy46R0D91qgzdhjo9_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/fcc45fa059d76fe9a528a9f8c1d7f39c/tumblr_n6gy46R0D91qgzdhjo9_1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The day started of ehhhhhh but it eventually got better. Thanks to MORE BOOKS.<br />
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And just something else...GOT 3 As AND 2 Bs THIS SEMESTER OOOOOOHHHHH.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-82999122701999059712014-05-30T16:13:00.001-07:002014-05-30T16:13:54.788-07:00Tolkien Artist Fridays: GerwellSince I'm currently in summer vacation I thought I should do some more blogging and one of the ideas I had was so showcase a different artist every week until my fall semester begins. I make no promise that I will not miss a week or two (or three or five) but I'll try my best to keep up with it! I thought that I'd start this series off with one of my absolute favorite artists, <a href="http://gerwell.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Gerwell</a>. I did get to <a href="http://middleearthnews.com/2013/05/04/the-tolkien-inspired-art-of-gerwell/" target="_blank">interview him for Middle-earth News</a> a little over a year ago, and since then he has posted <i>so much</i> beautiful work. I admit that I don't know much about the earlier ages of Middle-earth, most is foreign to me, but Gerwell's work just gives me more desire to try and tackle <i>The Silmarillion</i> again. I see his interpretations for characters like Eönwë, Varda, Sauron, and immediately feel like I need to know more about them. And since these characters haven't been in movies it gives artists more freedom to decide how they want them each to look like. I've seen <i>Silmarillion</i> artwork from a lot of people, and what amazes me is that no work looks the same. Everyone has their own vision, it's amazing!<br />
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Gerwell has posted many pieces of Eönwë and not all of them are the same. Look at the amount of detail! I pretty much want one of everything he is wearing.<br />
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<a href="http://gerwell.tumblr.com/post/56186279990/new-eonwe-i-wanted-something-more-defined-royal" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/81c9aea36ed514e8e2c73d3d66ff9201/tumblr_mqd1uxbRaq1r9sav2o1_r1_1280.jpg" height="640" width="465" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://gerwell.tumblr.com/post/58276001830/rejoice-redhead-eonwe-has-returned" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://37.media.tumblr.com/19411d14333a179621dc3dd3ecb5bcd4/tumblr_mrjkqhBgTd1r9sav2o1_r3_500.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></div>
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And then there's this artwork of Manwë that still causes me to be speechless. The first time I saw it I had to look at every detail because how could I not??<br />
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<a href="http://gerwell.tumblr.com/post/83809453193/maaaaaanweeee" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/90fe5d18b3be5b428fb73697a256cca2/tumblr_n4l5qz6Hwg1r9sav2o1_500.jpg" height="640" width="450" /></a></div>
Can we talk about his Sauron work? Because WOW.<br />
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Gerwell's <i>fantastic</i> artwork makes me feel inferior as an artist...but in the best way possible??? If that makes sense. Definitely make sure to look at all of his work via his <a href="http://gerwell.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> and <a href="http://gerwell.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">Deviantart</a> accounts.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-9976954126335865712014-05-29T20:28:00.000-07:002014-05-29T20:29:54.416-07:00Ashamed of Being AsianThis post is going to be a little different from everything else I've posted on this blog. It's something that's been on my mind for a while now and I haven't had the chance to fully express it. And as I was trying to go to sleep I kept thinking about this thing that has been troubling me so I figured it was time to write about it. What is this thing that I can't stop thinking about? It's this whole idea that being Asian is something to hide, something to be ashamed of. I didn't realize my feelings until about a year ago, and it came to a surprise to me. I guess I've always been a little ashamed, but it didn't seem obvious to me. This is going to be difficult to write about because I am not even sure how I feel.<br />
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My mother is Filipino and moved to the US in her early twenties, and my father is Italian and is third generation in his family. I've always made a point to make sure people knew I was only half Asian, like I had to make up for it and apologize that I am not 100% white. And the thing is, it's not like I can hide it, I don't look Italian, I look Filipino. And sometimes my dad will say things like "Oh but see? You have a little of my nose! And your eyebrows!" It's true I suppose, but looking at me you don't see Italian, and it is what it is. It's not bad or good. I mean, it's me. I wanted people to know I was part Italian not because I was super proud of being Italian, it was because I wanted them to know there was more to me than Asian. Kind of a "don't worry, I'm not <i>all</i> Asian! I swear!!" I didn't realize what I was doing back then. Looking back, I feel horrible for feeling the way I felt.<br />
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I remember this one time, when the feeling of shame was especially strong for me. Me and my mom were driving downtown and I had my window down, just relaxing, it was a lazy day. A car full of white guys, probably in their early 20s drove up besides us and one of them yelled "konnichiwa." They laughed and drove away. I remember the extreme shame and embarrassment I felt. I'm not going to lie, it still kind of hurts. Why did I feel embarrassed? It was probably the way they laughed and drove quickly away. I'm not even Japanese, but because I'm Asian it's funny? Hell, if I was Japanese it's not funny. Why was it funny?? What possessed these guys to yell out a Japanese greeting to random Asian people for "fun?" I felt like I was caught in the act. I don't know if I'm making a big deal out of this, but this small event has stuck with me for <i>years.</i> I was so upset that they saw me as an Asian. How messed up is that?<br />
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Elementary through high school, I have had to deal with friends saying random words to me, like "ching chong," words like that. Or things like "pork fried rice" and "dumplings." Nothing else involved, just those words. They said it because it was funny to them. And I didn't help the situation, I laughed. I encouraged this behavior because I didn't know what else to do. I laughed, smiled, acted like it was no big deal. These friends knew nothing of Asian culture. To them, all Asian is the same Asian. Even in photos posted on Facebook, I had friends leave comments with those dumb meaningless words. "KONICHIWA, SAYONARA, NI HAO, KAI-LAN, PORK FRIED RICE RICE RICE RICE, CHOPSTICKS,EGG ROLL, CATS, MORE RICE !!!!!!!!! (^__^ me luh you long time)" That is an actual comment I received once. I had to go into the depths of my old Facebook to find it. I wish I was making it up.<br />
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There was a project I had to do in Middle School, where we had to do a project on the country our family was from. I had a choice, Italy or The Philippines. What did I chose? Italy. Why? I didn't want to be the only Filipino. I wanted to fit in and join the other European countries. One of my friends told me they wish I did the Philippines, and I agree with her. I didn't want to learn about my mother's country, I didn't want to showcase it to all of my classmates. It was embarrassing. I'm still disappointed that I chose Italy. Italy is great, don't get me wrong. I just wish I felt the same about the Philippines.<br />
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Half of my family is Filipino, and because my grandfather on my dad's side remarried to a Jamaican woman, the other half of my family is Jamaican. I do have some Italian relatives, but I don't really know them. Now, on my mom's side, everyone is Filipino. I don't talk to the majority of my relatives on both sides of my family, but there are some cousins I speak to on my mom's side. I've been to Italy with my mom one summer years ago, but I've been to the Philippines a few times, and spent time with family there. So now I connect more with my Asian side, sometimes I even forget I'm part Italian. My dad doesn't speak Italian, his father didn't. The most Italian thing he does is cook pasta (and my dad cooks some pretty AMAZING pasta). I eat a lot of Filipino food, and so does my dad. He even cooks some dishes sometimes. I love love loveeee Filipino food. Kare kare, pancit, sinigang, dinuguan, pinakbet, longaniza, bicol express, apritada... I could go on forever. I wish Filipinos were represented more in the US... and just in general. There is a large Filipino population in the US. Where are all the Filipino restaurants?? Me and my mom have to get our fix in Queens, NY because there's a lot there.<br />
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Now I know that being Asian isn't something I should feel the need to conceal, because it's who I am. I'm Asian, I look Asian, my family is Asian. I'm still waiting for a Filipino character to be in a Disney movie. The majority of the main characters in Disney have been white, and yes I know they're not all from the same European country, but bring in more diversity. There are great stories from countries in Asia, Africa, South America... Mulan was such a powerful character for me because she's Asian. I'm not Chinese, but having an Asian "princess" made me happy. I've been called Mulan by my peers my entire life, not because they saw qualities in me that reminded them of her, they called me it to be funny. "Haha, Mulan is Asian, you're Asian so you're Mulan!!" They didn't say that, but that's basically what they meant. Mulan is great, so whatever. I'll take it as a compliment and ignore why exactly you're calling me Mulan. Acknowledging different races is important. Don't be color blind. See the differences, don't ignore them. Ignoring makes it part of the problem. I ignored myself for years, I know what it's like to try and hide yourself. It sucks, don't do it.<br />
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And just another thing that bothers me. I hate it when people act like my ethnicity is a guessing game they want to win. "You're Asian. Chinese, right? Wait, don't tell me. Japanese! Thai? Vietnamese? Korean? Indonesian? Malaysian??" "YOU'RE ASIAN! SAY SOMETHING IN CHINESE!!!!!" Just. Stop.<br />
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I feel better now.<br />
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Sorry for the overuse of commas, I should sleep now.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-85842947012338868362014-05-27T21:10:00.001-07:002014-07-26T22:17:26.881-07:00Plans for the summer.Now that it's finally summer vacation, I want to spend more time on my blog so I'm going to be setting some goals for myself.<br />
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I want to showcase a Tolkien artist each week. Just show off their work and talk a little about them. And I plan on doing a couple Goodwill runs for books with my dad this summer, so hopefully I'll come across some good stuff that I can show off.<br />
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Sound good?<br />
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Good.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-49052701277472273882014-05-27T20:08:00.000-07:002014-05-27T20:08:12.839-07:00MAPS - Comic Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My spring semester ended last week, and now that I finally have some free time I can post my graphic novel final project. I'm not totally satisfied with it, but after working on it for over a week, I lost most of my cares.<br />
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Programs used: Paint Tool Sai and Adobe Indesign CC. Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-30580735492847517472014-05-26T14:42:00.001-07:002014-05-27T21:15:06.906-07:00Our Long Expected PartyThis past weekend I met up with the other US members from Middle-earth News and we had SO. MUCH. FUN. I'm so upset it's over, I miss them!!<br />
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Okay, let's start at the beginning. Rachel and I met up the day before and headed into NYC on Friday early in the morning because our bus to Philadelphia was at noon. Since we were so early, we hung out at Port Authority with our Starbucks and sat around texting everyone else to see how they were all doing. Rachel and I were texting back and forth with Britta, laughing so hard over Spongebob lines. You know, adult stuff. Well, while we were laughing a group of cops walked over and one approached us kneeling down and said "Don't worry, you're <i>not</i> in trouble!" Even though Rachel and I are 21, he thought we may be runaway teens. Haha, he said we look young and to Rachel, "YOU especially!" I kept looking over at Rachel mouthing "WHAT is happening???" We had to show him our IDs so he could take down our information. This was a very interesting way to start the weekend.<br />
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An hour or so later, and we were on our way to PA. The bus ride was only about two hours and 20 minutes, but it felt like it took forever. We were so excited, I kept nudging Rachel and saying things like "We're gonna see Lily!!!!" "Oh my god, we're gonna get to hug Britta!" We were so jittery, we couldn't wait to see everyone else.<br />
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The first people we saw were Lily and her husband, and as soon as we got off the bus, we set off to see them. All of a sudden I hear Rachel yell, "I SEE HER!!!" Seeing Lily in person was so surreal, we RAN off to see her and kind of tackle hugged her. Well, I was so excited to see Lily that I punched Rachel in the face...BY ACCIDENT I SWEAR. Hahahaa, I still feel so bad. I'm still not all too sure how it happened.</div>
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We got into Lily's car and headed off to the bed and breakfast where we would see everyone else. On the way we sang lots of Disney songs and played a lively game of Cows and Graveyards. How it basically works is you count how many cows you pass on your side, and if you pass a graveyard, you lose all of your cows. Lily and Rachel were on one team and they kept passing all the cows, but luckily for Lily's husband, John, and I, they got most of the graveyards, MUAHAHAHA. So John and I won with six cows. Good game, good game.</div>
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Oloriel and her husband got to the B&B first, so as soon as we got there and parked I RAN OUT to see her. The first thing she says as she comes out of her car is "ARE YOU GUYS REAL?" Lots of hugs and smiles were exchanged. The next to arrive were Britta and Mr. Britta. I was so hungry because the only thing I ate that day was a fruit cup, and I jokingly asked Britta to get me hash browns from Dunkin Donuts, and what did I see in her hand when I ran to hug her? A bag of hash browns. God bless Britta. More tackle hugs were exchanged and then Valdis came and MORE hugs happened. The last to arrive were Arwen and Amanda, and I didn't see them come in. I was in my room when I heard voices, and then I quickly ran downstairs to see them. After we all hugged and said hello we left for dinner. Not before taking some photos of course.<br />
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We got to the restaurant and one of the first things we did was pose in front of a sign that said The Shire, because of course we would. Everyone in the restaurant was not ready for us.<br />
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Dinner was so much fun, everyone was talking and laughing. There was never a dull moment. Even though we all met on the internet, and the majority of us have never met each other, it all felt so natural. Like I have known these guys for years and hang out with them every week (we pretty much do, if you count Google Hangouts). Since we were celebrating Arwen and Oloriel's coming of age, they gave each of us gifts, like true hobbits. Arwen made the beautiful boxes and Oloriel made the beautiful necklaces. Each of us got one with our name and a tiny pipe, like in the Middle-earth News logo!</div>
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After we finished eating our dinner, it was time for dessert. Obviously we couldn't have just any cake, we needed to have a cake inspired by the one at Bilbo's birthday! This cake was delicious LET ME TELL YOU.</div>
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After dinner we headed back to the B&B, but not before a little fist pumping at the rave that was going on at the restaurant. Once we got back, we all got into pj's and just chilled in a sitting room together talking all kinds of nonsense. I didn't head to bed until after 2 am, and other people were still talking.</div>
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So I go to bed, went to sleep and then I hear this INCREDIBLY LOUD NOISE. I grudgingly turn over to look at my phone and see that I've only slept for one hour. I look over and see Rachel on her side of the room frantically packing at her bed. I'm so out of it I don't know what's happening. We were freaking out over this loud LOUD noise. I get up and go out into the hallway and see other people walking around just as confused as I was. We're all covering our ears yelling out things like "WHAT'S HAPPENING??" This wasn't a normal fire alarm, you know, when it's like a beeping noise. It was one. long. never ending. siren. Mr. Britta is by the stairs looking so out of it, Valdis is at her doorway and we're both exchanging, "what the hell" faces, Lily and John are running up the stairs with the inn keeper, and Oloriel and her husband are walking passed my door just like, "WHAT THE ACTUAL ****????" And while all this is happening Rachel is still packing, and we're laughing so hard. I feel like I should have been a little scared over this alarm, but I was so tired and out of it all I could do was laugh.</div>
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After the inn keeper figured out how to turn the alarm off, me, Rachel, Lily and Amanda were hanging out crying tears of laughter over what just happened. Eventually we all went to our rooms, and before falling asleep Rachel and I were still laughing and said "You know what would be <i>really</i> funny? If the alarm went off for a second time." And about three hours later do you know what happened? THE ALARM WENT OFF. FOR A SECOND TIME. I wake up and just look over at Rachel "Is this really happening? Is this REALLY HAPPENING???" This was a very annoying scenario, but I couldn't even feel annoyed because it was hilarious. When we all met up later for breakfast, everyone was either asking "So how was your sleep?" or "Did that really happen?" I still laugh when I think about it. Anyway, breakfast was delicious. </div>
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Our next event was a cosplay photoshoot. While picking out outfits and getting ready, we did a quick Google Hangout with Alice and Maria, some of the European Middle-earth News members. I wish they could have been with us!!! After everyone was ready, we all got into cars and met up at this beautiful trail. A LOT of photos were taken.</div>
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After everyone changed back into their boring non-Middle-earth clothes, we went to eat lunch and then ice cream. The first to leave that day was Valdis, our fellowship was already separating! Our next stop was a hotel in Philadelphia. There we ordered a few pizzas and played LOTR trivial pursuit. My team had some really easy questions, except for one. "How many seats were at the council of Elrond?" WE DIDN'T KNOW. WE'RE NOT REAL TOLKIEN FANS. Oh, and the other team got a question asking which LOTR cast member had the nickname "Elwood." My team was laughing so hard...I still laugh about this! They guessed Orlando Bloom, and I remember Arwen looking on the back of the card to check if it really was Elijah Wood, "Can it...it's that easy?" Well, once the pizza came, the game was forgotten. Then we just all crowded around some beds and chairs and ate while laughing about a bunch of random stuff. Oloriel and her husband left soon after. It was upsetting to see her leave. *single tear goes down cheek*</div>
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After sitting around talking some more, we all agreed it was time to go to sleep. I didn't want to because that meant I would be saying goodbye to everyone else the next day. For breakfast, some of us went to a nearby Dunkin Donuts and had some very interesting conversations. Mostly about peacocks.</div>
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When we all got back to the hotel, we put together all of our luggage and agreed to meet at the bus station where Rachel and I were leaving from. Sadly, the only people we were able to properly hug and say goodbye to were Lily and John. I was doing pretty well with the whole "not crying while saying bye" thing. But Lily texted Rachel and I that everyone was waiting next to the bus exit to wave goodbye. Seeing the rest of the gang yelling bye and waving made Rachel and I cry. We weren't ready for the wave of emotions that would hit us. I miss everyone so much, and I can't wait till we can all be together again. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long. I HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME. I WANT TO GO BACK. I WANT TO SEE EVERYONE AND HANG OUT MORE.</div>
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I hope I didn't leave too many things out.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-50335711784832726172014-05-10T11:17:00.000-07:002014-05-10T11:18:17.031-07:00Bookcase TourAside from my bookshelves that I use for my Tolkien collection, I have another book case where I store all of my other books. For a while I kept it in another room but yesterday I decided to move it into my room, so now my space is kind of crowded. But totally worth it.<br />
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The top shelf is for my various YA novels that I read, including Harry Potter and The Hunger Games trilogy. As you can tell I only have the dust jackets for those, a cousin of mine is borrowing them.<br />
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Second shelf contains some classics, horror novels and Sherlock Holmes. And others.</div>
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This my overcrowded Fantasy shelf, poor things have no room to breathe. There's some Neil Gaiman, George R.R. Martin and Terry Brooks. As well as The Princess Bride, Howl's Moving Castle and some older series given to me by my dad.</div>
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This shelf is pretty empty, I want to dedicate it to some comics, graphic novels and books with nice art in it. The comics are random issues of Creepy and Eerie, and Fables.</div>
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Bottom part is for my art books. On painters, history, different cultures, how to books, designs and so on. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00869563242652712594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075188792793668956.post-41288870429612333142014-04-27T18:16:00.000-07:002014-04-27T18:16:20.301-07:00Tony Award Nominations soon!Today I found out that Tony nominations come out on the 29th (one day before my birthday!) and I am SO EXCITED, I've been looking forward to the Tonys.... since the last one. I'll have to wait till June BUT I CAN MAKE IT.<br />
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I wonder who will be nominated. The shows for this season that I have seen so far are:<br />
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<li>Aladdin</li>
<li>Big Fish</li>
<li>First Date</li>
<li>If/Then</li>
<li>No Man's Land/Waiting for Godot</li>
<li>Rocky</li>
<li>Romeo and Juliet</li>
<li>Soul Doctor<a name='more'></a></li>
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I'll be seeing Hedwig and the Angry Inch a week or so before the award show airs. And later on in June and September I'll see The Cripple of Inishmaan, Les Miserables and Cabaret. And I still want to see other shows.</div>
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<ul>
<li>After Midnight</li>
<li>Beautiful - The Carole King Musical</li>
<li>A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder</li>
<li>Violet</li>
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So many great shows to see this Broadway season, and this one in particular has been pretty special! Aladdin was my 100th Broadway/Off Broadway show (including repeats). <a href="http://malinalda.blogspot.com/p/25-th-annual-putnamcounty-spelling-bee.html">Full list here.</a></div>
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Here are some quick reviews:</div>
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<b>Aladdin:</b> This was a pretty enjoyable show. I left leaving kind of unsatisfied, because it is a Disney production I was expecting to be completely blown away. Like with Lion King. Some of the changes to the story annoyed me... there was no Abu!!! But James Monroe Iglehart, the actor who played Genie, was FANTASTIC. Honestly, I'd watch that musical just for him.</div>
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<b>Big Fish: </b>Because Big Fish is one of my all time favorite movies, I was absolutely ecstatic when I found out that it would become a Broadway musical. That and Moulin Rouge! were my top two picks to become shows. I'm still waiting for Moulin Rouge to come! Anyway, back to Big Fish. It was...okay. There were a couple songs that I really really enjoyed: "Time Stops" and "Fight the Dragons". I still remember the songs and can sing them in my head or quietly hum them. If a song sticks with me, I know I couldn't dislike the musical too much. I should also add that I thought the leads, Kate Baldwin and Norbert Leo Butz, were great. I was freaking out so much when Norbert came out on stage because Fiyero!</div>
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<b>First Date:</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>I didn't get to see Zachary Levi because he was at SDCC. *sigh* But his understudy was good. Honestly I was not impressed by this musical and don't have much to say about it. Meh.</div>
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<b>If/Then: </b>I saw this today and LET ME TELL YOU, Idina Menzel is FAAAAAANTASTIC. I couldn't wait to see this musical because 1) Idina Menzel. 2) Anthony Rapp (it's like a mini Rent reunion!) 3. Tom Kitt, who worked on the Next to Normal musical which I reallllllyyy like. I admit, I felt like the show was too long. I was sitting in my seat during the first act just waaaaiting for it to end. There is a lot of music, and Idina seemed to have had a lot of solo songs which is totally fine be me. This show drained me emotionally, I was not prepared. Overall, I very much enjoyed it. and I need the soundtrack NOW. For Idina's super awesome amazing perfect singing.</div>
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<b>No Man's Land/Waiting for Godot: </b>I'm not ashamed to say that the main reason I saw these plays was for Ian McKellen. How could I pass up the chance to see Gandalf in person?? I liked the plays just fine, I feel like most of the content just went over my head. It was either that or I was too distracted by seeing Sir Ian (and Sir Patrick) on stage.</div>
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<b>Rocky:</b> I was pretty skeptical when I first read that there was going to be a musical based off of Rocky. Singing boxers??? How were they going to make that work? Well, I was pleasantly surprised, and the final boxing match was pretty cool to watch. There are a few songs (tunes and lyrics I can't remember) that I want to have on my ipod RIGHT NOW, but I have to wait until the soundtrack is released.</div>
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<b>Romeo and Juliet:</b> Let me start by saying that I CRIED when I saw Orlando. Full on tears. I was bracing myself in the theater before the show started, I didn't know how I would react. Orlando was the first LOTR actor I saw in real life, and having him mere rows of seats away from my was so surreal. I didn't cry initially when I saw Ian but that may be because I saw him months after seeing Orlando. I got over my LOTR cast shock. Sort of. I'm not going to pretend I'm a huge Shakespeare fan, I don't know much of his plays, most of his writing doesn't stick. All I remember from that play was Orlando.</div>
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<b>Soul Doctor:</b> A pretty good musical, I enjoyed it. Didn't love it though. I don't have much to say about it, but I liked it just fine.</div>
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