Talk in the Shadows

Holmes and Watson thoughts

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:44:25 GMT

1. X-posted from Flewelling.yahoo: LOL! Modern readers have been reading (or misreading) a slashy subtext into Holmes and Watson's relationship for decades. I suppose the movie will be a real shot in the arm to what is probably a substantial body of fan fic. I've never read it that way myself, and I've read those books and stories many, many times. The friendship is definitely there, and there are wonderful flashes of it from the normally cerebral Holmes, as in The Hound of the Baskervilles, or "The Devil's Foot," as well as comic moments of annoyance from Watson at Holmes's less than admirable habits. So the "old married couple" dynamic does hold water. But actual implied romance? No. I have nothing against slashers, mind you, but certain friendship relationships in fiction, including Holmes and Watson and Sam and Frodo, are so pure and perfect that I hate to see them changed to anything else. But that's just me.

2. The movie: The more I think about the movie, the less satisfied I am with the portrayal of Holmes. It's as if he's stuck in one of his manic phases for the entire time and since he is central to the movie, it changes the flavor of everything. He spends so much time in fist fights. I liked the "pre-planning" sequences they used for those, but would like to have seen the same applied to him deducing from pieces of evidence. We only get a few seconds of it at the very end, done so quickly that you could miss it, and it certainly isn't given much attention, just a few phrases thrown out before they return to the melee.

So many of the changes they made, including his clearly physical relationship with Irene, were so much the antithesis of the "book" Holmes, that in the end I think about all that really remained of poor Holmes was the name. I still think it was a fun movie, but give me Jeremy Brett any day.

Sherlock Holmes

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 04:22:45 GMT

Family and I went to see "Sherlock Holmes" this afternoon. As someone who has read the books and stories many, many times, I'd seen enough of the previews to know that I'd better leave any expectations home if I was going to enjoy the film.

Robert Downy Jr was brilliant, as always, even if this interpretation of Holmes is a bit of a stretch. Same for Jude Law as Watson. I enjoyed them both very much, so long as I didn't make any comparisons. There were moments when they were spot on, and moments when they were very out of character with the books.

But their handling of Mary Morstan, Watson's fiancee, and the ever scheming and beautiful Irene Adler, "the woman" in Holmes' mind, were very well done. Lestrade was just right most of the time, too. The bad guy was wonderfully bad. Holmes treatment of his landlady, Mrs. Hudson, however, was abominable. As bad a tenant as he was, the real Holmes was always gentlemanly with her.

Oddly enough, much of the deduction revelations were given to Watson and Adler. Holmes didn't really shine until the end, and then there were some plot holes.

The overall plot felt like fan fiction to me and got rather muddled here and there, though there were a series of very good set pieces. But it is a visual feast, fast paced, often funny, with some little details here and there straight out of the books to delight a purist like me. And Watson's "bull pup," mentioned in "A Study in Scarlet" and never again in the Canon, has a very nice role.

Interestingly, a line from the previews, someone—Irene, I think—joking about Holmes and Watson "flirting" does not make it into the final film. Given the general choppiness of the plot and and the holes, I suspect a lot of good stuff got left on the cutting room floor. Too bad.

Overall, a fun, lively romp. If you're a fellow purist, try to forget the books and just relax and enjoy.

A Christmas Card

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:34:28 GMT

I just received this Christmas card from Ovsanna Arzoumanian, who has a number of lovely art pieces in the Orëska gallery. Enjoy!

Christmas Snippet!

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:46:40 GMT

In keeping with hallowed tradition, here is your Christmas eve snippet. I thought I'd better not give away any more of White Road or you won't need to read it at all, so here is a peek at the still untitled Nightrunner 6! Happy Holidays, all!

_______________________

Young lord Selin had made good on his promise. That night they were to meet him at the Drake in the Street of Lights to be introduced to Duke Reltheus and do some gambling. They were preparing to set out when Runcer appeared at their door with a familiar pinched look of disapproval around his eyes and mouth. “That young boy is back, asking for you, my lord,” he told Seregil, sounding pained at having to deliver such distasteful news. "I did tell him you were not available but he refused to leave until he spoke with you, so I put him in the back garden.”

“Thank you. I’ll see to him.” Seregil arched a brow at Alec as they headed downstairs.

They’d found Kepi a few months ago, when the boy had cut Alec’s purse in the Harvest Market. He’d led them a merry chase to get it back, too, right down into the sewers. It wasn’t that there was anything irreplaceable in the purse; the fact that the boy had been able to get that close, and then nearly gotten away intrigued Seregil and since then he’d found occasion to use him as an extra set of eyes and ears in the lower quarters of town. Kepi surfaced periodically with some tidbit, almost always something of use.

The boy was perched on the rain butt, wolfing down a mince tart. Runcer might not approve of him, but the cook had a soft spot for the child and never let him get way with without something in his belly.

Kepi was a true orphan of the streets, and knew neither his parents nor his own age, From the looks of him, he could have been anywhere from ten to a malnourished twelve or thirteen. He was skinny as a stray cat, with a pointed little face and wide blue eyes under a tangle of sandy brown hair. His long tunic—one of some nephew's castoffs that Cook had cut down for him—hung loose on his thin shoulders and his legs and feet were bare and dusty beneath it. He could play the innocent when needed, but in truth he possessed up the craftiness and streak of savagery needed to survive his part of the city. But he was also bright and quick, and utterly devoted to his benefactors.

As soon as he caught sight of Seregil and Alec he hopped down from the barrel and made them an awkward little bow. “’Evenin’, my lords,” he said, spewing crumbs around a mouthful of tart. “Hope I didn’t disturb you or nuthin’.”

“Not at all, Kepi. What do you have for us?” asked Seregil.

“That actor fellow, Atre the Mycenia? He's a friend of yours, ain't he?"

"How in the world did you know that?"

Kepi just winked and grinned.

"Yes, he's a friend of ours. What of it?"

"Well, he got hisself knifed tonight.”

“Bilairy’s balls! How? Where?” asked Alec.

“Down at the waterfront, back of the Skulpin. It just happened and I come straight up to tell you.”

“The Skulpin?” said Alec. “What was he doing down there?” The tavern was on the edge of the respectable commerce district of the Lower City, a place where Upper City young bloods gravitated to when they wanted a bit of danger. The gambling house catered mostly to traders and sea faring men, but there were plenty of cutpurses, bawds, and footpads about at this time of night, ready to relieve the unwary of their winnings. “Is he alive?”

“He was when I heard about it. I come straight here.”

“Good lad.” Seregil took half a dozen coppers—the only safe coinage for someone like Kepi to be caught with—from his purse and gave them to the boy. "You know the Drake gambling house?"

"In the whore's street, you mean, by the Astellus Circle?"

"That's the one. Go there and ask for Lord Selin. Give him our apologies and tell him we're going to be a bit late. You don't need to say why."

Kepi made him another ill formed bow and Seregil let him out the back gate. The boy took off at a run and was soon out of sight among the evening crowd strolling the grassy common.

Since they were dressed as lords, they took their Aurenfaie horses and galloped down to the Skulpin. There, they found the actor gasping on couch in one of the private gaming rooms. He was dressed only in rough trousers and a loose, blood stained shirt and rather rough looking shoes, and apparent attempt to fit in with his surroundings.

A small crowd of ne’er do wells and doxies were peering in from the doorway, but parted for Alec and Seregil, who had come armed.

A drysian was with Atre, tending to a wound on his belly. The actor was white-faced except for the traces of stage paint here and there on his skin, and looked frightened, but at least he was conscious.

“What happened?” Seregil asked, kneeling down beside him and taking the man’s hand.

“Oh, my lords!” Atre gasped, clinging to Seregil’s hand with both of his, which were sticky with blood. “How did you know?”

“Never mind that. What the hell happened to you?”

“It was a girl,” the young actor whimpered. “She said she was hurt, and when I tried to help her—look what she did!”

“And took your purse, I suppose,” said Alec. It was a common ploy among the girl cutpurses.

“It’s not as bad as all that,” the drysian scoffed as he began to bandage the wound. “Hardly more than a scratch!”

“What are you doing in a place like this alone?” asked Alec.

“Oh, you know—“ Atre was too pale to blush but he looked rather ashamed of himself.

Seregil gave him a knowing look. “Got tired of the pampered nobles and came looking for a bit of rougher fun?”

The actor looked away, saying nothing.

“This is no place for the likes of you,” the drysian scolded. “Stay up on your heights and find your fun there. I have better things to do than patch up you silly thrill seekers.”

“I will, Brother. By the Maker, I will!” Atre mumbled, then looked up imploringly at Seregil. “Please, my lord, don’t leave me here all night!”

“Of course not,” Seregil assured him, and caught Alec rolling his eyes. “Go ask the master of the house to hire us a carriage, will you?”

“If he can get one at this hour.” Alec strode out, calling for the landlord.

The drysian finished with the bandage and straightened up. “There, that should hold your guts in well enough. See that you keep the wound clean and it should be healed right in a week or so, if a bit sore.”

“I have to be on stage tomorrow!”

“I hope you have a good understudy, then.” With that, the drysian nodded to Seregil and took his leave.

“Oh, Calieus will love this!” the young actor groaned. “He hangs around like a carrion crow, just waiting for something like this to happen.”

“It’s his job, isn’t it? And I really don’t think you can blame this on your understudy,” Seregil chuckled, washing his hands with the water left in the pitcher the healer had used. “Honestly, if you’d wanted to come some place like this, you should have asked Alec and me. We’d have come with you.”

“Sometimes I think your lover doesn’t like me.”

“He doesn’t like you flirting with me, as you very well know. Behave yourself tonight or he’ll put you out in the street.”

Holiday Knitting

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:42:24 GMT

Four men's socks in one week may not sound like a lot, but it is. Men's feet are huge! Thousands and thousands of tiny little stitches in fingering weight. My right thumb and forefinger are wrapped in band aids but the two pairs are done and under the tree.

I did get an early Christmas present out of the job, though, which made the task much easier, an Ott light. http://www.ott-lite.com/p-71-tasklitehd-reg-5999-sale-4999.aspx

When you get all done with it, it's just a pair of socks, and I wonder if non-knitter recipients ever really "get" what goes into such a gift, but knitters knit for the love of it, and those they knit for.

Teaview

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:13:35 GMT

A review of one of my favorite Yunnan teas, from one of my favorite vendors.

http://www.teaviews.com/2009/12/21/review-sensational-tea-yunnan-fop-dianhong/

A Quote

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:58:09 GMT

Madly trying to finish a few knitting projects, I've been in front of the TV a lot. Yesterday I got to "see" (half watch half knit) Pixar's "Ratatouille" again. I adore Pixar's work, not just for the amazing visuals, but for their exceptional story telling. Here's one of my favorite quotes ever, which happens to come from that movie.

Anton Ego: "In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations. The new needs friends."

This is so freakin' cool!!!

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:58:35 GMT

This makes me miss my old Jeep Cherokee even more. You really can make music with anything. It takes them a minute to really get going, but it's worth the wait.

Argggggh!

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:58:56 GMT

Knitting during the exciting parts of Criminal Minds can be counterproductive. >:-(

But we are on Disc 2 of season 4!

Nightrunner Map Limited Edition Still Available!

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:39:53 GMT

Nightrunner Map still available. 18x24" facsimile of Lynn's working map, signed and numbered. Limited edition. http://www.sff.net/people/Lynn.Flewelling/market/m.maps.html

Paypal payments can be made to: lbflewelling@roadrunner.com

New Nightrunner Goods

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:49:19 GMT

NEW Nightrunner Goodies now available at my Cafe Press shop including Sigg bottles, aprons, better tote bags, and the new White Road design.

Nightrunner Scholars

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:41:25 GMT

A while back the author of this scholarly paper sent me a copy, and now alert reader moyo_mo has given me a link to it. Very interesting reading! Poor Alec! ;-)

http://www.asianlang.mq.edu.au/japanese/documents/DialogueinTranslation_final.pdf

Today's Buddhist Thought

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:51:10 GMT

Hate is not overcome by hate; by love alone is hate appeased. This is an eternal law. The Buddha

Do Your Christmas Shopping at the Nightrunner Shop!

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:33:59 GMT

It's not too late to order Nightrunner goodies from my Cafe Press shop:
http://www.cafepress.com/flewelling

I have a wide variety of items, designed by Robert Place, from mugs to teeshirts, decals to mouse pads!

Maine Humor

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:56:47 GMT

From my friend NC:

98% OF AMERICANS SAY 'OH SHIT' BEFORE
GOING IN THE DITCH ON A SLIPPERY ROAD.

THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM MAINE AND THEY SAY,
'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS.'

Teaview

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:43:43 GMT

The review of one of my all time favorite teas I have reviewed so far is now up at Teaviews.com. This is an exceptionally fine Tie Guan Yin oolong, incredibly fragrant and favorful. I brew it gong fu style and a few grams produce pot after pot of excellent tea. Good prepared western style, as well. It is heat dried, rather than roasted, and has a fresh, sweet flavor that is lighter than some TGYs.

Norbu Diamond Grade Tie Guan Yin Spring Harvest 2009.

***See essay on Gong Fu Brewing below, in several sections.

For a nice selection of good quality Yixing teapots, see: http://www.sensationalteas.com/yixing.html

Buddhist Thought For the Day

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:32:57 GMT

Not really a thought, just a couple of peaceful pictures I took during the Deer Park Retreat last September.

Thich Naht Hanh giving a dharma talk at the big mountain-top Buddha during early morning walking mediation. It was cold!

The Big Buddha

Voice Post

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:28:43 GMT

LOL Just noticed the transcription. Love how they spelled my name! If I need a pseudonym, perhaps I can use it.

Invasion

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:03:05 GMT

A major ant invasion this afternoon. Doug had to come home and gas them, after I tore the pantry apart to get rid of whatever was attracting them. They came in through the ceiling by the front door, marched around the crown molding into the dining room, and into the kitchen, across the top of the fridge and down into the five shelves of the pantry. Thousands of the little critters! The house is a shambles and reeks of Raid. Not conducive to creativity, but I forge onward.

Bakshi

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:26:18 GMT

I had a relatively productive writing day today, part of which was describing the game of bakshi, which has existed since book one, with very little detail. I've always known it was played with gaming stones, sets of which can be as simple as a handful of pebbles or very elaborate and expensive carved semi precious stones. I know that it can be played on a formal table, or on a grid of some sort scratched into the dust or chalked on a floor. The point is to capture opponent's pieces, and to make different patterns which, as of today, are: serpents, spears, flowers, and snares.

And that's it for now. You'd think after all the money Seregil and his buddies have won at it, I'd have more information. C'mon boys, give Mom a hand!

Teaview

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:42:20 GMT

California Tea House Silver Needle: White teas take a sensitive palate to appreciate them, as they are very subtle. Here's a good one.

The View From Here

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:10:08 GMT

The end of a long but fairly productive day. I drew a Tarot card for inspiration this morning and got "Judgement", which is about shedding old skins, renewel, resurrection. After a bit of a dry spell these past few days, my writer mind resurrected itself and I sloughed off some dead stuff and added some new. Not a bad day.

And yes, my office really is that dark and murky and red. ;-)

"The Snow Machine Pummeled Through the White-Dusted Plain Like a Jubilant Beaver"

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:54:08 GMT

The results of Slate Magazine's "Write like Sarah Palin" contest! No, I didn't enter.
http://www.slate.com/id/2237261

Spidey no more

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:21:26 GMT

Operation Spider Lift was a success. No casualties at all. He is now a free range spider.

Not so inseey weensy spider

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:50:07 GMT

I have a new friend. I call him Spider. Actually, he is a spider and he is currently living in the guest bathroom sink. He is in considerable danger of being washed "down the water spout", although I am careful. I really need to get a glass or something and air lift him outside. I think he's just a wolf spider. I don't know what a brown recluse looks like.

Here's Spider.