Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
General Discussions
>
Random Thoughts
Terri wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I don't own an iron!!!! I threw it out 3 years ago, lol.As for the cheese I'm a Romano kind of girl, it's the wog in me. I love being one. It took me nearly 20 years to turn my husba..."
At school I copped a bit of ribbing for being a wog. And an issue with a teacher once who had a problem with wogs. But I am so used to calling myself that and other family members you do forget that to some it is an insult. ( please excuse me if I did insult anyone ). I think today a lot more people in this country are open to embracing other cultures than they were say 40-50 years ago. ( I'm not 50, lol). And god knows I am open to all sorts of ethnic food. For the record Terri I am actually part Maltese. Which also gives me a very good excuse to wear my Maltese/Templar cross, haha. I had it sent over from Malta and wear it everyday, I am quiute proud of my heritage.
I rarely use wog myself. ON the insult thing though, I regard the ribbing as similar to the use of words like Kiwi, Pom, Yank, Fuzzy Wuzzy (definitely a term of endearment for the Papua New Guinea in WW2). I don't use them very often (I never use fuzzy wuzzy), only as an affectation. Never as an insult. But any of those, if said with the wrong kind of feeling behind them (as with you and your nasty teacher and school peers) can turn into an insult or some nasty teasing.I have some Italian family. Uncles/Aunties/cousins. My cousins always use the word wog. It is normal for my brother and I to use wog on them. It is part of normal conversation for my cousins. :)
Lisa wrote: "Terri wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I don't own an iron!!!! I threw it out 3 years ago, lol.As for the cheese I'm a Romano kind of girl, it's the wog in me. I love being one. It took me nearly 20 years to..."
51, 52 then...? lol
Oh cheeky Andy!! You'll keep mate! LolI know what your saying Terri. Around family and friends it's very normal. It's that politically correct world you always have to watch. One thing I have noticed in Melbourne, as opposed to Sydney, where I grew up, is that I really believe they have embraced multi culturalism here much better. Those that live here may think differently, but really Sydney still has a long way to go.
Now Andy..........
Sydney has miles upon miles to go. I moved there from Canberra, and found Sydney benighted.
I agree Bryn. Melbourne is sooo different. And as cities go, if I had to live in one, it would be the pick of them, or Hobart. They are both really vibrant cities. Don't get me wrong Sydney is beautiful, and there is nothing so exciting as sailing through the heads, they are awesome. But it's as if she still has some growing up to do, bless her, lol.
Lisa wrote: "Oh cheeky Andy!! You'll keep mate! LolI know what your saying Terri. Around family and friends it's very normal. It's that politically correct world you always have to watch. One thing I have not..."
Yes Mistress.... hahaha
Derek wrote: "I'd never heard of the word 'Wog', so I'm learning too."Me too. It sounds funny, so feel free to call me wog anytime. :)
Dawn wrote: "Definitely the dances look like a big draw for seeing 'Prince Igor' live but it might be pretty good on a theater screen too. Love Turandot and Suor Angelica. Beautiful music."
This year is the 200th of the birth of Giuseppe Verdi, so there are several theatres that propose his music; even "La Prima" (the opening) of the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, which is quite en event here, will be Verdi.
That's why my husband, while staying in Oman (!!!) and having an evening by himself , full of patriotic fire, decided to go to the National theatre to see "La Traviata" even if he isn't an opera fan.
There are a couple of very famous pieces from that opera, but he didn't expect it to last over three hours, nor the tragic plot, so he says it was good but he went back to the hotel quite crosseyed.
Opera can be a difficult experience if you're not used to it...
We saw "Peter Grimes" recently. I really enjoyed it. Has anyone else seen it?
Portia wrote: "We saw "Peter Grimes" recently ago. I really enjoyed it. Has anyone else seen it?"I've only heard it on the radio; you can understand it! English is usually horrible sung. I love those 4 Sea Interludes. Someday I'll go back and read the original it comes from: The Borough
by George Crabbe. It must be online, so not onerous to read.
Marina wrote: "So, anyone else prancing around in shorts and a tank top in December?Some of the days we've had recently are hotter than some hottest summer days (only less humid).
We are promised some rain late..."
Not quite here in northeast england, but its been very mild for november
John Tavener's music is also on my favorite's list. Sadly, he passed only last month. Spouse and I disagree about 20th Century British composers. He's not big on Ralph Vaughn Williams, either. Funny bec he's English on his mother's side. AND he can do a highly disrespectful version of, "Please don't call me a wog." Even tolerant Lisa would be offended.
Here in the US, the nasty term for Italian immigrants (aside from calling them Eye-Talians) is to call them WOPs, which means Without Papers and dates from the Ellis Island days circa 1890-1910. We all know what a problem "undocumented" folk are here in the Good Ole YOO ESS of AY. Like we all aren't immigrants one way or another since the American character trait is: if you don't like it, leave, sort if like moving down the table in the Tea Party scene in "Alice in Wonderland." :P
Portia wrote: "John Tavener's music is also on my favorite's list. Sadly, he passed only last month. Spouse and I disagree about 20th Century British composers. He's not big on Ralph Vaughn Williams, either. ..."I get the BBC music magazine; they send you a free CD every month; well, it's included in the subscription. I now have a wonderful performance of 'Protecting Veil'. RVW--I don't like everything by him, but some music is marvellous.
We are going to see "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" on December 27th. Ancient Rome set to music by Stephen Sondheim. What's not to like? "Something for everyone, A comedy tonight!" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Funny_...
Simona wrote: "This year is the 200th of the birth of Giuseppe Verdi.........That's why my husband, while staying in Oman (!!!) and having an evening by himself , full of patriotic fire, decided to go to the National theatre to see "La Traviata" even if he isn't an opera fan.There are a couple of very famous pieces from that opera, but he didn't expect it to last over three hours, nor the tragic plot, so he says it was good but he went back to the hotel quite crosseyed.
Opera can be a difficult experience if you're not used to it..."
I could see it being a bit much to go see a 3 hour opera if you're not really a fan. :)
I love all the tragic plots and "La Traviata" has some beautiful music, I agree.
One of my big regrets was not going to see an opera when we were in Italy but we'll definitely go when we visit next.
Portia wrote: "We are going to see "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" on December 27th. Ancient Rome set to music by Stephen Sondheim. What's not to like? "Something for everyone, A comedy tonigh..."Oh, that's a great musical!
Marina wrote: "So, anyone else prancing around in shorts and a tank top in December?Some of the days we've had recently are hotter than some hottest summer days (only less humid).
We are promised some rain late..."
My shorts and tank top days are long gone. How about baggy jeans and a forgiving t-shirt?
Lisa wrote: "Oh cheeky Andy!! You'll keep mate! LolI know what your saying Terri. Around family and friends it's very normal. It's that politically correct world you always have to watch. One thing I have not..."
I think we have. I work in a suburb with a large Jewish population. Because of the good schools, a lot of muslims have moved into the area. Both live happily side by side with each other and the Christians. Best thing I ever saw was 3 teenage girls, arm in arm walking up the street. One white Aussie, one muslim girl in hajib, and an Asian girl. They were obviously the best of friends. It warmed my heart.
I hope they are friends forever. Here in the US, we can't agree on what time it is :(
Portia wrote: "I hope they are friends forever. Here in the US, we can't agree on what time it is :("This may be the wrong place to post it: but there's a delightful movie called 'Arranged'. I got from netflix once: an Orthodox Jewish young woman and a Syrian Muslim young woman in hijab become good friends. They are both teachers, as I remember, at the same school. The movie is about their families trying to arrange marriages for the girls. It's a sweet movie, with a happy ending all around.
Thank you Jane, I'll check it. I love happy endings.
When we woke up this morning, we found a fox had been in our hen house. 4 casualties. :( Bodies never found, only some feathers.Some of those feathers belonged to my beautiful pet hen, Beatrice. *sniffle*
Today I am in mourning. *weeps*
Tonight, we tie up one of our dogs in the hen house. He will protect the rest of my hens and baby chickens until the weekend.
On the weekend we are going to run an electric wire around the pen to ward off further early morning fox raids.
RIP, Beatrice. I am so sorry for your loss, Terri. It never ceases to amaze me how fond we humans manage to become of our animal companions.
Thanks, Portia. As an animal lover I do tend to bond with my animals. :)
Terri wrote: "When we woke up this morning, we found a fox had been in our hen house. 4 casualties. :( Bodies never found, only some feathers.
Some of those feathers belonged to my beautiful pet hen, Beatrice. *..."
My condolences, Terri. I hope Mr T is okay. If I were a fox, I don't think I'd mess with him, though.
Some of those feathers belonged to my beautiful pet hen, Beatrice. *..."
My condolences, Terri. I hope Mr T is okay. If I were a fox, I don't think I'd mess with him, though.
Mr T attacked my hubby this morning when he opened the pen to feed them. He never does that. he only attacks if you are walking passed him in the backyard. That's when he does his rear assault move.That's why hubby knew something was wrong. So he went into the shed where they sleep to see why Mr T was so angry. Did a head count (or beak count..:)..) and came up short by 4.
I would say poor Mr T tried to defend his girls and he was still stressed out about it when hubby opened the pen door, so he attacked.
Poor Mr T.
It's snowing!! The first snow of the season, if we're really lucky it'll stick around for Christmas!
Wow. That's awesome.Third day of summer here. Today is not hot yet. Very mild. Beautiful day actually. Sunny, big blue skies with puffy white clouds.
Quite the opposite to your snowy evening.
I'd love to have some snow. We're supposed to be getting an ice storm in a couple of days here. Ice storms suck!
You poor buggers. If it isn't a tornado in summer it is an ice storm in winter.
Terri wrote: "You poor buggers. If it isn't a tornado in summer it is an ice storm in winter."
Yeah..we get some extreme weather around here. I'd rather take my chances with a tornado. If we get as much freezing rain as they're forecasting, there will be massive power outages & it's going to be extremely cold for 4 or 5 days.
Yeah..we get some extreme weather around here. I'd rather take my chances with a tornado. If we get as much freezing rain as they're forecasting, there will be massive power outages & it's going to be extremely cold for 4 or 5 days.
yes, but you won't get whisked away up into the sky and dumped in a paddock of corn!
Terri wrote: "yes, but you won't get whisked away up into the sky and dumped in a paddock of corn!"Or end up in Oz...
Cheap flight that one.
Oh wait..you don't mean Oz as in Australia. You mean Oz as in the Wizard.oops.
For anybody wanting to talk, or watch others talk, about Opera or Theatre, there is a new thread in the Media Folder.Opera & Theatre (History Related)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I learned about this heating mechanism from a Scottish mountain rescue man and he says it works well to heat a room, and would be with while in power failures, I hope the link works. It's always touch and go with the itouchhttp://m.youtube.com/watch?v=brHqBcZqNzE
Darcy wrote: "I learned about this heating mechanism from a Scottish mountain rescue man and he says it works well to heat a room, and would be with while in power failures, I hope the link works. It's always to..."that's cool!!
I'm aiming to get some pots. We're expecting more bad weather around here this winter, so I think this will be handy to keep the critters warm.
Derek wrote: "I'd love to have some snow. We're supposed to be getting an ice storm in a couple of days here. Ice storms suck!"Agreed! Gosh, years ago, all over Upstate NY big ice storm coated electric wires, trees, you name it-- they had to call out the National Guard to help contend.
Simona wrote: "Thank you Jane, I'll check it. I love happy endings."It's a charming movie. I've had it out from netflix a couple of times; I should probably buy it...
Margaret wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Oh cheeky Andy!! You'll keep mate! LolI know what your saying Terri. Around family and friends it's very normal. It's that politically correct world you always have to watch. One thi..."
That's lovely Margaret. I love to watch friendship/love transcend all the political garbage.
James Mcbride's Good Lord Bird, about a young male slave who lives as a girl because Abolitionist John Brown mistakes him for a female slave and the boy doesn't want to mess with a good thing, won The National Book Award for Fiction knocking the socks off a few august and experienced critics, I am neither, so I picked it to win when I heard that is was a humorous story about slavery and John Browns Raid. OK. Now how y'all gone pull that one off ? By winning awards.
Darcy wrote: "I learned about this heating mechanism from a Scottish mountain rescue man and he says it works well to heat a room, and would be with while in power failures, I hope the link works. It's always to..."
Thanks for that, Darcy. I might have to put that to use before long. I guess that will make me a pothead;)
Thanks for that, Darcy. I might have to put that to use before long. I guess that will make me a pothead;)
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
The Berry Pickers (other topics)Fortune's Child (other topics)
Hild (other topics)
Sharpe's Command (other topics)
Edenglassie (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Amanda Peters (other topics)Nicola Griffith (other topics)
Bernard Cornwell (other topics)
Bernard Cornwell (other topics)
Allan Hands (other topics)
More...
I understood. :)
I haven't been to a screened one yet but the list for this season is pretty good so there is a possibility we'll give it a chance.