Heidi Anne Heiner's Blog, page 169

Get $2 of Free Music on Amazon

   
Go to this page and enter the code HITUMBLR to get a $2 credit which will buy you 2 of the songs I've featured this month for music month (well, most of them). Or $2 off a full album. The code expires April 2 and is a nice way to end music month on the blog. What two songs would or will be your picks?

Here's Amazon's text:

Tumblr Pals: Get $2 in MP3s with code HITUMBLR

How to Redeem Your Code for $2 MP3 Credit:

1. Prior to making a purchase, click the button below, enter the code HITUMBLR, and click the "Apply" button. Your $2 credit will be automatically applied to your account.

Redeem Your Amazon.com Gift Card or Promotional Code

View your current gift card and digital promotional balance or enter a new claim code below.

2. If you received a confirmation that your code has been entered successfully, your $2 credit is now in your account and will remain there until it has been applied towards eligible purchases or until it expires at 11:59 p.m PST on April 1, 2012. If you receive an error entering your code, be sure to check that you've entered the code correctly and be sure that the promotion is still valid and has not expired. If you still receive an error, contact Customer Service via Amazon MP3 Support.

3. Browse for your favorite music at Amazon MP3, find the song, playlist or album you want, click the "Buy" button, and the dollar amount of your code will be automatically applied to your purchase.

4. If you have not used the full $2 value of the promotional code on your purchase, we will automatically apply the remaining balance of your code on each of your additional Amazon MP3 purchases until you have used its full value or until the code expires, whichever occurs first. You can check your code balance by clicking "Redeem Your Amazon.com Gift Card or Promotional Code and View Balance" button, visible on every MP3 detail page.

5. After your purchase, you can confirm that your code was applied by checking your order confirmation, which will be sent to you by e-mail.

6. Promotional offer is valid from March 29, 2012 through April 1, 2012 and subject to change. You must redeem the credit by 11:59 p.m. PST on April 1, 2012. Limit one promotional credit per customer.

7. Additional Terms and Conditions apply.

Music Month: Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films

Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films has some interesting interpretations of some Disney classic songs. Some are virtually unrecognizable. Most are not from fairy tale films. After all, the CD was produced in 1988 before Beauty and the Beast and some of the more recent films had become classics. Snow White, however, has two songs with unusual treatments.

And since the new Snow White film is released today, I thought sharing these Snow White songs was rather appropriate and even a little ironic (if you listen to them).

SurLaLune reader Cindy recommended this CD and here are here words:

For your music month, I would like to recommend STAY AWAKE: VARIOUS INTERPRETATIONS OF MUSIC FROM DISNEY FILMS. This is NOT a Disney release, but re-interpretations of Disney fairy tale songs from everybody from Tom Waits to Sinead O'Connor, Suzanne Vega and Bonnie Raitt (and many more). The best is Tom Waits doing his renditon of "Heigh Ho, The Dwarf's Marching Song" (he turns the dwarf's mining into forced labor - you can hear the chains dragging in the background and the despair in the "Heigh Ho" chant.) "Someday My Prince Will Come" by Sinead O'Connor is another good one. You might better call this "Alternative Disney."

A little more palatable for a larger audience is Someday My Prince Will Come by Sinead O'Connor:



A little more difficult and with a narrower taste is Tom Waits' Heigh-Ho! (The Dwarfs' Marching Song):



Rumor has it that Disney was upset by this interpretation and managed to keep the CD from being reprinted or rereleased, hoping it would disappear after the first printing went out of print. But the internet keeps it alive now thanks to YouTube and others.

Today Only Bargain: Cloaked In Red by Vivian Vande Velde

Be quick, be quick, for today only the ebook version of Cloaked In Red by Vivian Vande Velde is temporarily priced at 99 cents in ebook format as part of the daily deal at Amazon. There are several YA books in the deal today, but only one was fairy tale related. I was actually shocked to see it listed since it wasn't released in ebook format until last month, over a year after its release. I had finally given up on it ever being released in ebook a month before that and ordered the paper edition although I haven't read it yet. I am often quicker to get a book read on my reader, I admit. Needless to say, I am thrilled to have an ebook edition for a great price, especially right now when I am packing my books for my move.

Book description:

So you think you know the story of Little Red Riding Hood, the girl with the unfortunate name and the inability to tell the difference between her grandmother and a member of a different species? Well, then, try your hand at answering these questions: Which character (not including Little Red herself) is the most fashion challenged? Who (not including the wolf) is the scariest? Who (not including Granny) is the most easily scared? Who is the strangest (notice we're not "not including" anyone, because they're all a little off.)? Who (no fair saying "the author") has stuffing for brains? Master storyteller Vivian Vande Velde crafts eight new stories involving one of the world's most beloved (and mixed-up) characters in literature. You may never look at fairy tales in quite the same way again.

Music Month: Cinderella by The Cheetah Girls

Cinderella by The Cheetah Girls. Yes, I had to do it. I prefer this song to the Britney Spears one I also featured today. Poor Cinderella. We really give her a bad rap in music.

From the lyrics:

[GALLERIA:]
When I was just a little girl,
My mama used to tuck me into bed,
And she'd read me a story.

[CHANEL:]
It always was about a princess in distress
And how a guy would save her
And end up with the glory.

[DORINDA:]
I'd lie in bed
And think about
The person that I wanted to be,

[AQUA:]
Then one day I realized
The fairy tale life wasn't for me.

[CHORUS – ALL:]
I don't wanna be like Cinderella,
Sitting in a dark, cold, dusty cellar,
Waiting for somebody to come and set me free (Come and set me free)
I don't wanna be like someone waiting
For a handsome prince to come and save me
On I will survive
Unless somebody's on my side
Don't wanna depend on no one else.
I'd rather rescue myself.

And, as always, a video:

Music Month: Cinderella by Britney Spears

Who am I to deny you your Britney Spears fix of the day? Yes, Britney's Cinderella is our song of the day today. I debated between this and The Cheetah Girls. Should I do both?

From the lyrics:

Here I am
So try to forgive me
I don't believe in fairy tales
Here we are with nothing but honesty
I've had enough
I'm not gonna stay

I'm sorry for running away like this
And I'm sorry I've already made my wish
Oh, But Cinderellas got to go

New Book: The Irresistible Fairy Tale: The Cultural and Social History of a Genre

The Irresistible Fairy Tale: The Cultural and Social History of a Genre by Jack Zipes has an April 8 release date but the paper editions are already shipping. The book is also being released as an ebook so you have that option, too.

Book description:

If there is one genre that has captured the imagination of people in all walks of life throughout the world, it is the fairy tale. Yet we still have great difficulty understanding how it originated, evolved, and spread--or why so many people cannot resist its appeal, no matter how it changes or what form it takes. In this book, renowned fairy-tale expert Jack Zipes presents a provocative new theory about why fairy tales were created and retold--and why they became such an indelible and infinitely adaptable part of cultures around the world.

Drawing on cognitive science, evolutionary theory, anthropology, psychology, literary theory, and other fields, Zipes presents a nuanced argument about how fairy tales originated in ancient oral cultures, how they evolved through the rise of literary culture and print, and how, in our own time, they continue to change through their adaptation in an ever-growing variety of media. In making his case, Zipes considers a wide range of fascinating examples, including fairy tales told, collected, and written by women in the nineteenth century; Catherine Breillat's film adaptation of Perrault's "Bluebeard"; and contemporary fairy-tale drawings, paintings, sculptures, and photographs that critique canonical print versions.

While we may never be able to fully explain fairy tales, The Irresistible Fairy Tale provides a powerful theory of how and why they evolved--and why we still use them to make meaning of our lives.

Jack Zipes is professor emeritus of German and comparative literature at the University of Minnesota and the author, translator, and editor of dozens of studies and collections of folk and fairy tales. His recent books include Why Fairy Tales Stick: The Evolution and Relevance of a Genre; Relentless Progress: The Reconfiguration of Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Storytelling; and The Enchanted Screen: The Unknown History of Fairy-Tale Films.

Table of Contents:

List of Illustrations ix
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xvii
Chapter 1: The Cultural Evolution of Storytelling and Fairy Tales: Human Communication and Memetics 1
Chapter 2: The Meaning of Fairy Tale within the Evolution of Culture 21
Chapter 3: Remaking "Bluebeard," or Good-bye to Perrault 41
Chapter 4: Witch as Fairy/Fairy as Witch: Unfathomable Baba Yagas 55
Chapter 5: The Tales of Innocent Persecuted Heroines and Their Neglected Female Storytellers and Collectors 80
Chapter 6: Giuseppe Pitrè and the Great Collectors of Folk Tales in the Nineteenth Century 109
Chapter 7: Fairy-Tale Collisions, or the Explosion of a Genre 135
Appendix A: Sensationalist Scholarship: A "New" History of Fairy Tales 157
Appendix B: Reductionist Scholarship: A "New" Definition of the Fairy Tale 175
Notes 191
Bibliography 209
Index 227

Endorsements:

"This is Zipes's magnum opus, the culmination of more than thirty years of research, and his broadest consideration yet of the fairy tale. He tackles very difficult fundamental questions, and provides credible theoretical foundations and historical evidence for the answers he proposes. Ultimately, he redirects the conversation about the origins, nature, and appeal of the fairy tale."--Donald Haase, editor of Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies

"Liberating, stringent, and new, this book demonstrates Zipes's unique and important affection for fairy tales while opening new lines of thinking about them. The Irresistible Fairy Tale--like fairy tales themselves--will appeal to both scholars and general readers. Its enlightening tone is irresistibly good."--Kate Bernheimer, author of Horse, Flower, Bird: Stories and editor of Fairy Tale Review

"This is an important examination of the elusive quality of the fairy tale. Everywhere in evidence is Zipes's mastery of the subject, his capacity to engage with its folkloric, literary, social, and cultural aspects, and his ability to communicate with general readers as well as specialists."--Graham Anderson, University of Kent

You can also read the first chapter here. Or click to look inside the book on Amazon where you can preview the book, too.

Music Month: Myths & Legends by Michele de Wilton

Myths & Legends by Michele de Wilton is a collection of original piano music inspired by, well, myths and legends (yes, I know the title gave that away) as well as a fairy tale. Her Waltz for Gerda & Kay is obviously inspired by The Snow Queen. We also get Cupid & Psyche for Beauty and the Beast fans. The playlist also reveals The Lady of Shalott and The Ice Maiden (not the Snow Queen). Another CD has a song inspired by The Selfish Giant. So if you enjoy piano music, this may be in your taste.

Here is a video of The Ice Maiden:

Books: The Fairy Godmother Dilemma by Danyelle Leafty

The Fairy Godmother Dilemma: Catspell and The Fairy Godmother Dilemma: Firespell and The Fairy Godmother Dilemma: Applespell by Danyelle Leafty comprise a trilogy of books about fairy godmothers. And fairy godmothers are always popular around here, so I had to share. Through the end of March, the royalties for Catspell are also going to Kindles for Kids.

Book description for The Fairy Godmother Dilemma: Catspell:

Sixteen-year-old Breena never thought anything could be worse than being forced to leave the faerie realm. Then she got stuck with a fairy godmother. But if she has to choose between the two, she'd leave the Faerie Realm over getting bossed about by a faerie with a pointed stick any day. Unfortunately, her attempt to evade her fairy godmother gives her growing pains in the form of fur, whiskers, and a tail.

Turning into a cat is the least of her worries, though. The potion wasn't meant to bring out her inner feline, it was meant to put her to sleep. Forever. If Breena wants to make it to her Happily Ever After, she'll have to accept that sometimes a fairy godmother really does come in handy, after all.

Book description for The Fairy Godmother Dilemma: Firespell:

The fairy godmother dilemma continues in book two: Firespell.

When Alora's Prince Charming is chosen due to political expediency, she tries to put her best foot forward. But thanks to a magical mishap, her feet are webbed and her body resembles that of an overgrown goose.

Her brother creates a charm that enables her to look human from moonrise until moonset, so she sets out hoping she can convince the prince she is a girl, rather than the main course. Alora soon learns that she isn't the only one with secrets after she stumbles upon an ancient plot that would warp the threads of magic holding the land together. When her plan to foil the plot ends up with her Prince-Charming-to-be walking into a trap, Alora finds herself caught between an age old grudge and the most powerful creature in the world: the Firebird.

What she needs is a fairy godmother. What she gets is a frog.

Book description for The Fairy Godmother Dilemma: Applespell:

Book Three in The Fairy Godmother Dilemma Series.

When the faerie queen is unable to revive Mara, Nerissa decides that she's done with fairy godmothering, finished with being a winged problem solver, and no longer willing to deal with the heartbreak that comes from wishes, wings, and wands.

She is not, however, going to give up dealing with DIDs. (Damsels in Distress)

But now, rather than mopping up messes and helping them achieve their perfect Happily Every After, she must stand in the way of the DIDs and their Prince Charmings. A good wicked faerie never rests until she uncovers an Unhappily Ever After, and Nerissa is nothing, if not dedicated.

She has already chosen her new DIDs--a girl named Snow White, and her sister Rose Red.

As the tale unfolds, Nerissa soon learns that being a wicked faerie isn't all that different from being a fairy godmother. It's all in the application--and where the heart lies.

SurLaLune News: Heidi in Transition

"Baba Yaga's hut" by Reuben C. Dodd


So folks, you may be wondering why I have been mostly absent as well as my sudden reappearance. Unfortunately, I am only in the eye of the storm and am playing catch up--or at least trying to get my head above water--for the last few days. Tomorrow the chaos starts afresh for me.

What happened is that my John Dear and I have bought a new home--or should be closing on one later this week. Although the plan was to relocate sometime during 2012 this came upon us much sooner than expected. As in, virtually no pre-planning was involved. John was casually looking at houses and I casually agreed to walk through a few, mostly to show appreciation for his efforts in real estate research. And what do you know? The FIRST HOUSE was THE HOUSE. The house I needed to fall in love with enough to inspire me to uproot myself from my beloved home of the past eight years. For I adore my current home despite some of its faults and inconvenient location. It is filled with light even on the gloomiest days which is a necessity and keeps me working, not curled up in a corner mourning the sun.

You see, I work from home. I am a homebody. Eight years ago we searched and searched for a house that would fit our needs and it took months and months. We ended up finding a floorplan that worked and gutting the house. We couldn't even move in for three months after closing. This house has been customized to my needs and tastes and I have loved it ever since we moved in. That was then. Now our work patterns and needs have changed as well as family needs. We love our house but its inconveniences outweight its benefits.

This year we found the house that better suits our current needs--and it needs work, too, but mostly extensive painting and a few fixture changes, not full gutting. There was no waiting on it since a bidding war was threatening because the price had dropped significantly the week we saw it. So I woke up one morning with affection for John and his enthusiasm but with no plans to move anytime soon, months at least as I prepped and planned for the dreaded uprooting. Silly me, I went to bed that night with a contract on a new house. With NO preplanning. All of the sudden I was covered in home buying/selling paperwork, my regular job (the one that pays the bills, like house notes) as well as prepping our current home for selling. That meant packing and decluttering and painting primarily.

The highs and lows in home buying/selling don't need to be recounted here but the end result is that a month later we are closing on the new house and need to start the work to make it move-in ready. Meanwhile I keep working the paying job and trying to occasionally sleep, too. So SurLaLune, while it is my passion, is not getting my full attention. And it won't be for another six to eight weeks as we transition and complete the moving process. While working the jobs that pay the bills. SurLaLune supports itself, not me, alas. When you are self-employed, you cannot take time off from work for moving. One works and moves and is grateful for the opportunity to earn the money that makes it all possible even if sleep is elusive.

And I really wish, at times like these, that my house was on chicken legs and could move and grow and accommodate my needs at my whims. Magical closets and windows that catch all the day's light and that I never, ever had to pack box after box after box. With the knowledge I will have to unpack it all again soon. Ugh. (Why do I own so many books?) But Baba Yaga I am not, so I must do things the hard way.

So I am blessed and all is well, just really, really intensely busy at the moment. I have family and friends who love and support us. Life will be more enjoyable in a few months. Right now it is merely adventurous and stressful.

But I have ideas on how to invite you to participate here and keep SurLaLune rich with content. So stay tuned. Some of you, especially Gypsy, have already been beyond generous and I adore you all for it.

And when this has passed I will also be starting new SurLaLune projects and finishing some other ones. Stay tuned. Big things are happening, projects I started before I decided to uproot my life! They are on hold, but the wait is only making me more anxious to start them.

Snow White and the Huntsman on HSN

So HSN (Home Shopping Network) is going to devote 24 hours to selling Snow White inspired merchandise and offering behind the scenes information about the SW&H film on May 30th, shortly before the film's release.

And the kicker is that I am tempted. Darn it. I find myself attracted to some of these pieces despite my wishes otherwise. I want to see the mirror they describe and some of the other materials, too. I doubt I will indulge but I will be tempted to look and HSN does a great job at sales pitching. There's even nail polish, but fortunately that fetish of mine is not tempted by reds and pinks. I own some Deborah Lippman brand and don't need those colors even if they have cool names.


From The NYT: HSN Plans Event to Sell 'Snow White,' the Merchandise by Elizabeth Olson:

"It's really powerful to link the storytelling and products," said Stephanie Sperber, president of partnerships and licensing for Universal Pictures, which produced the Brothers Grimm-inspired tale starring Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron as the dueling beauties.

The May 30 HSN event, just before "Snow White" opens nationally on June 1, is trying to drum up viewer interest. Exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at the film version, with its fantastical effects, striking scenery and scary twists, will be combined with products specifically created to evoke the film's themes of beauty and power.

There is no product placement, but Ms. Theron wears Evil Queen jewelry that inspired HSN's apple-shaped brooch and about 200 other products, including several mirrors, that will be offered to home shoppers with footage from the movie's filming in and around London last year.

More from the article:

In advance of its "Snow White" programming blitz, HSN plans to show the movie to its employees — as with "Eat Pray Love" — to help its call-center workers respond more readily to shopper questions about products and their connections to the film.

HSN also was on the set in England to film interviews and footage for the behind-the-scenes material that will be part of its May "Snow White" session. HSN also is showing a movie trailer on its site, and mailing 1.5 million program guides to its households to build awareness among viewers. It will also promote the event on other television networks, but it has not yet settled on which ones.

In addition to the apple-shaped brooch designed by Heidi Daus, other products include a twig-and-butterfly bordered mirror designed by Hutton Wilkinson, candles by D.L. and Company, and Richard Mishaan-designed candlesticks, lamps, mirrors and decorative pillows. Each designer is scheduled to talk about the wares related to "Snow White" during the HSN event.

Shoppers who use mobile devices, including tablets, will be able to watch clips on products and the film, and talk about them on social media like Facebook and Twitter.

There is a preview page with more images on HSN. The ones I shared here are my favorite--they are photographed very well. There is some home decor, too. I wonder what else will be marketed to us...