zaterdag 31 december 2011
Pic Spam: Favorite People of 2011
This is the last Pic Spam of the year and probably my last post this year. I decided to do something special. I'm going to dedicade this Pic Spam to my favorite people of this year, people who had a big influence. We've got Mila, Ryan, James, Rachel, Natalie, Joseph, Robert and Emma
vrijdag 30 december 2011
In My Mailbox (28)
This might be the last card I receive this year. It game from Gdynia, Poland. I just love this card, with the beautiful child on it.
Sent on: december 12th 2011
Received on: december 30th 2011
Distance: 920 km (572 miles)
Travel time: 8 days
Sent on: december 12th 2011
Received on: december 30th 2011
Distance: 920 km (572 miles)
Travel time: 8 days
In the Picture: The Characters from "The Shawshank Redemption"
This is the last "In the Picture" of the year so I decided to go with the characters from my favorite movie, "The Shawshank Redemption". Here they are.
Andy Dufresne
Played by: Tim Robbins
Andy Dufresne is a banker who is convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. He is sentenced to two consecutive life sentences at Shawshank State Penitentiary. Andy claims he is innocent, but nobody believes him. He decides to keep quiet and he tries to sit out his sentence, but secretly has other plans. He befriends Red and becomes the target of the sisters. Andy is a man who can always keep his calm and he is very intelligent. He even offers the wardens to do their taxes and because he is so persistent he can expand the prison library.
Ellis "Red" Redding
Played by: Morgan Freeman
Red is an inmate serving a life sentence whose parole application was recently rejected. He is the guy who can get things and he provides for the prisoners. He is the first person Andy talks to and they become close friends. He gets him a rock hammer and delivers him a giant poster of Rita Hayworth. Red thinks he couldn't survive outside prison, but eventually gets out. There he is going to do as promissed and he travels to Zihuatanejo to meet with Andy.
Warden Samuel Norton
Played by: Bob Gunton
Warden Norton is well versed in the Bible and presents himself as a pious, devout Christian and reform-minded administrator, but his actions reveal him to be corrupt, ruthless, and remorseless. Andy eventually outsmarts him.
Heywood
Played by: William Sadler
Heywood is already in Shawshank Prison when Andy arrives and he is one of Red's buddies. He is in jail because, so he says, his lawyer fucked him. Heywood isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but has a big heart.
Capt. Byron Hadley
Played by: Clancy Brown
Capt. Hadley is the chief of the guards. The only way he can overpower the inmates is by using insults and violence. He actually beats up one of the prisoners so badly, that he died of his injuries. Hadley doesn't feel any remorse from his actions. Deep inside he is a very weak man which he tries to hide with his tough act.
Tommy Williams
Played: Gil Bellows
Tommy is a young convict who has been in and out of prison ever since he was a teenager. He didn't kill anyone, because he's a thief and according to his prison mates not very good at it. Tommy is supposed to be Andy's way out of prison, because he overheard a conversation in another prison where an inmate admits to killing Andy's wife and her lover. Warden Norton gets him killed, but claims that Tommy tried to escape so they had to shoot him.
Bogs Diamond
Played by: Mark Rolston
Bogs is one of the most feared men in prison and the leader of the sisters. They attack and rape fellow inmates and Andy is their next victim. They don't do it because the are gay, they just have needs. Capt. Hadley eventually grabs Bogs and beats him so badly, he can never do it again.
Brooks Hatlen
Played by: James Whitmore
Brooks has been in Shawshank prison for as long as he can remember and is the prison librarian. He is one of the oldest convicts and doesn't know much about the world outside prison. Brooks finds a bird, who he calls Jake and he takes care of him. When he gets out, Brooks releases Jake. Brooks can't adapt to the new situation and hangs himself. Before he does, he sents his friends in prison one last letter.
Favorite Character: Andy Dufresne
Played by: Tim Robbins
Andy Dufresne is a banker who is convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. He is sentenced to two consecutive life sentences at Shawshank State Penitentiary. Andy claims he is innocent, but nobody believes him. He decides to keep quiet and he tries to sit out his sentence, but secretly has other plans. He befriends Red and becomes the target of the sisters. Andy is a man who can always keep his calm and he is very intelligent. He even offers the wardens to do their taxes and because he is so persistent he can expand the prison library.
Played by: Morgan Freeman
Red is an inmate serving a life sentence whose parole application was recently rejected. He is the guy who can get things and he provides for the prisoners. He is the first person Andy talks to and they become close friends. He gets him a rock hammer and delivers him a giant poster of Rita Hayworth. Red thinks he couldn't survive outside prison, but eventually gets out. There he is going to do as promissed and he travels to Zihuatanejo to meet with Andy.
Played by: Bob Gunton
Warden Norton is well versed in the Bible and presents himself as a pious, devout Christian and reform-minded administrator, but his actions reveal him to be corrupt, ruthless, and remorseless. Andy eventually outsmarts him.
Played by: William Sadler
Heywood is already in Shawshank Prison when Andy arrives and he is one of Red's buddies. He is in jail because, so he says, his lawyer fucked him. Heywood isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but has a big heart.
Played by: Clancy Brown
Capt. Hadley is the chief of the guards. The only way he can overpower the inmates is by using insults and violence. He actually beats up one of the prisoners so badly, that he died of his injuries. Hadley doesn't feel any remorse from his actions. Deep inside he is a very weak man which he tries to hide with his tough act.
Played: Gil Bellows
Tommy is a young convict who has been in and out of prison ever since he was a teenager. He didn't kill anyone, because he's a thief and according to his prison mates not very good at it. Tommy is supposed to be Andy's way out of prison, because he overheard a conversation in another prison where an inmate admits to killing Andy's wife and her lover. Warden Norton gets him killed, but claims that Tommy tried to escape so they had to shoot him.
Played by: Mark Rolston
Bogs is one of the most feared men in prison and the leader of the sisters. They attack and rape fellow inmates and Andy is their next victim. They don't do it because the are gay, they just have needs. Capt. Hadley eventually grabs Bogs and beats him so badly, he can never do it again.
Played by: James Whitmore
Brooks has been in Shawshank prison for as long as he can remember and is the prison librarian. He is one of the oldest convicts and doesn't know much about the world outside prison. Brooks finds a bird, who he calls Jake and he takes care of him. When he gets out, Brooks releases Jake. Brooks can't adapt to the new situation and hangs himself. Before he does, he sents his friends in prison one last letter.
Favorite Character: Andy Dufresne
donderdag 29 december 2011
Top 5 Thursday: Books I Read in 2011
The last top 5 op the year. I just finished my book challenge and I read some bad book, some OK book but also some fantastic and amazing books. After a long time of thinking I managed to make a top 5 of the best books I read in 2011.
5. The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory
I love periodic drama/ romance stories. I loved the rivalry and also the love between the Boleyn sisters. This book was truly amazing and I’m still planning on reading the sequel.
4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
My favorite Harry Potter novel, so it had to be on this list. And after reading it for the second time, you’ll discover new things you didn’t notice before. My favorite part of this book is the introduction of Sirius Black, my second favorite character from the series.
3. One Day by David Nicholls
The way this story was told was just unique. Each chapter covers the same day every year over two decades. I fell in love with David Nicholls’ writing and this book made me both laugh and cry. I truly loved it.
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The first book, "The Hunger Games", really blew my mind. I couldn't let it go and was totally captivated by it. I didn't think the second books could top it, but it did. I loved "Catching Fire", what an amazing book. This is one of my favorite series.
1. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Another book that gave me a hard time putting it away. Jacob was just such a loveable character, I fell in love with the guy. And Jacob’s bond with elephant Rosie was so endeering, touching and truly honest. Sara Gruen, who became one of my favorite writers over the year, is so talented. She writes as from heaven.
They almost made the top 5: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Watership Down by Richard Adams, Marley & Me by John Grogan, Persuasion by Jane Austen, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling, Starter for Ten by David Nicholls, Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy and The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
5. The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory
I love periodic drama/ romance stories. I loved the rivalry and also the love between the Boleyn sisters. This book was truly amazing and I’m still planning on reading the sequel.
4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
My favorite Harry Potter novel, so it had to be on this list. And after reading it for the second time, you’ll discover new things you didn’t notice before. My favorite part of this book is the introduction of Sirius Black, my second favorite character from the series.
3. One Day by David Nicholls
The way this story was told was just unique. Each chapter covers the same day every year over two decades. I fell in love with David Nicholls’ writing and this book made me both laugh and cry. I truly loved it.
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The first book, "The Hunger Games", really blew my mind. I couldn't let it go and was totally captivated by it. I didn't think the second books could top it, but it did. I loved "Catching Fire", what an amazing book. This is one of my favorite series.
1. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Another book that gave me a hard time putting it away. Jacob was just such a loveable character, I fell in love with the guy. And Jacob’s bond with elephant Rosie was so endeering, touching and truly honest. Sara Gruen, who became one of my favorite writers over the year, is so talented. She writes as from heaven.
They almost made the top 5: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Watership Down by Richard Adams, Marley & Me by John Grogan, Persuasion by Jane Austen, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling, Starter for Ten by David Nicholls, Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy and The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
woensdag 28 december 2011
50 Books Challenge 2011 Update - December
My last update for 2011. I reached my goal of reading 50 books and I got a little bit less motivated after actually reaching the goal. I could have read more then 63 books if I wanted too. This month was very varied, because I read some really good books and two disappointing ones.
# 59. The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events # 1)-Lemony Snicket
# 60. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
# 61. Complicit by Nicci French
# 62. Starter for Ten by David Nicholls
# 63. Mozart and the Whale by Jerry and Mary Newport with Johnny Dodd
Favorite of the month: "Starter for Ten"
I will start reading on january 1st, when I start my new book challenge. 50 will be my goal for 2012, but I will add an extra feature to it. Each month will have a theme and I got the idea from Priscilla from The Readables. She is a book blogger and youtuber and in 2011 she had a theme for every month. I thought it was an awesome idea so I'm trying it next year. So announcing my first theme of the year 2012:
# 59. The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events # 1)-Lemony Snicket
# 60. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
# 61. Complicit by Nicci French
# 62. Starter for Ten by David Nicholls
# 63. Mozart and the Whale by Jerry and Mary Newport with Johnny Dodd
Favorite of the month: "Starter for Ten"
I will start reading on january 1st, when I start my new book challenge. 50 will be my goal for 2012, but I will add an extra feature to it. Each month will have a theme and I got the idea from Priscilla from The Readables. She is a book blogger and youtuber and in 2011 she had a theme for every month. I thought it was an awesome idea so I'm trying it next year. So announcing my first theme of the year 2012:
50 Books Challenge 2011 - # 63: Mozart and the Whale by Jerry and Mary Newport with Johnny Dodd
Author: Jerry and Mary Newport with Johnny Dodd
Story: When Jerry and Mary Newport met, the connection was instant. A musical genius and a mathematical wonder, the two shared astronomic IQs, but they also shared something else -- they both were diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism that affects millions of Americans and makes social contact painfully unbearable. When Jerry and Mary married, they were catapulted into the limelight. They appeared on 60 Minutes and soon were known as "superstars in the world of autism," shining examples of two people who refused to give up in the face of their mutual challenge. But just when it appeared that their lives would enjoy a fairy-tale ending, their marriage fell apart. The Hollywood feeding frenzy was too much to handle, and they divorced. After heartbreaking years of soul searching, Jerry and Mary remarried. Today, with their union stronger than ever, they have dedicated themselves to helping countless other people with Asperger's and autism lead lives of dignity. Mozart and the Whale is an unforgettable love story of the incredible chronicle of their journey together -- and apart.
Start: december 25th 2011
End: december 28th 2011
Comment: I was really interested in reading this book. People with Asperger syndrome have problems with socializing so this made it even more interesting because "Mozart and the Whale" deals with Jerry and Mary, who both have Asperger syndrome and they fall in love. It's a true story, written by a ghost writer but that doesn't make you hear Jerry and Mary's voice any less. Although the thematics of the book really spoke to me, it wasn't as interesting as I hoped it would be. I wasn't 'grabbed' by it. I actually feel really bad about it, because I wished it touched me more.
Rating: 2,5/ 5
dinsdag 27 december 2011
Movie Moments: "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"
As you know, I love Robert Downey Jr. He's just.... irresistible. "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" is one of his best (maybe even my favorite) and I decided to share with you my favorite moments of the film.
Moment # 1: The audition
Harry is running from the cops, because he was just caught stealing from a toystore. He flees into a room, where an audition finds place. Harry starts reading for the part and because he just lost his partner he gets really emotional. The casting directors are really impressed with him and next thing he knows, Harry is at a Hollywood party.
Moment # 2: Harry and Harmony meet
Harry goes to a bar, where he followed Harmony. They start talking and than Harmony asks him if Harry really didn't recognize her. They've known each other since they were kids. They start catching up on old times and telling each other what they've been doing.
Moment # 3: Stake out
To prepare for his role, Harry goes on a stake out with cop Perry von Shrike (Gay Perry). They see a car in the water and find a body of an unknown woman in it. Harry asks Perry if she's dead and Perry tells him with sarcasm that she's just taking a nap. In the mean time, Harry tosses Perry's gun in the lake, which was a present from his mom and now when the cops dredge the lake they will find Perry's gun and they will know that he was there. They start arguing and Perry tells Harry he's an idiot.
Moment # 4: Spider
Harmony just told Harry about her sister, how she was found dead in a hotelroom. When she goes to bed, Harry sees a spider slip into her bra and he's trying to grab it. Harmony wakes up and realizes that Harry tried to grab her brest. She doesn't believe Harry's spider-story, because he's affraid of spiders. When she sees one of the legs on her brest, she believes him.
Moment # 5: Harry pees on a dead body
After Harmony left, Harry goes to the toilet. While he's peeing, he finds the dead body from the lake in his bathroom. Because he's freaked out, he turns around and accidentaly pees on her.
Moment # 6: "Is that the body?"
After finding the body, Harry called Perry. When he arrives at Harry's hotelroom, he asks him if that's the body. Harry very seriously tells him: "No that's the other one".
Moment # 7: The kiss
While trying to get rid of the dead body, a police car drives by. Perry tells Harry to kiss him, so that the cops don't think they are doing anything criminal. When they finish, Harmony asks them what they were doing.
Moment # 8: The Finger
Harry visits Harmony, who is mad at him. She slams the door and when she opens it again she sees that Harry's finger was cut of.
Moment # 9: A dog eats Harry's finger
Harry's car was stolen why he was sleeping in the back seat. When he wakes up, he enters the house and puts his finger on ice. When he turns his back, a dog grabs the finger. Harry tries to get it back, but the dog eats the finger.
Moment # 10: "You slept with Chook Chutney"
Harry and Harmony get intimate and crawl into bed together. They start kissing, but first Harmony wants to tell him something. She slept with Harry's best friend Chook Chutney, something Harmony always promised she would never do. Harry kicks her out.
Moment # 11: Russian roulette
While trying to get information from a suspect, Harry tries to scare him with his gun. He only puts one bullet in it. After not coorperating, he shoots but the first shot already contains the bullet, leaving Harry speachless and Perry mad because he just shot the only source of information.
Moment # 12: Perry's faggot gun
Harry and Perry are taken captive and Harry's being electrocuted. Perry tries a different approach by telling the hostage taker that he's gay. He makes him extra mad and when he's trying to strike him, Perry shoots him with his so-called faggot gun. He shoots from his crotch and Harry is relieved that it's a gun, because he tought it was a gay thing.
Moment # 13: "Only when I dressed up like a beer bottle"
Perry asks Harry if his father loved him. Harry tells him "only when I dressed up like a beer bottle". Than they turn around because Perry sees a male nurse he likes.
Favorite Moment: Moment # 11: Russian roulette
Harry is running from the cops, because he was just caught stealing from a toystore. He flees into a room, where an audition finds place. Harry starts reading for the part and because he just lost his partner he gets really emotional. The casting directors are really impressed with him and next thing he knows, Harry is at a Hollywood party.
Harry goes to a bar, where he followed Harmony. They start talking and than Harmony asks him if Harry really didn't recognize her. They've known each other since they were kids. They start catching up on old times and telling each other what they've been doing.
To prepare for his role, Harry goes on a stake out with cop Perry von Shrike (Gay Perry). They see a car in the water and find a body of an unknown woman in it. Harry asks Perry if she's dead and Perry tells him with sarcasm that she's just taking a nap. In the mean time, Harry tosses Perry's gun in the lake, which was a present from his mom and now when the cops dredge the lake they will find Perry's gun and they will know that he was there. They start arguing and Perry tells Harry he's an idiot.
Harmony just told Harry about her sister, how she was found dead in a hotelroom. When she goes to bed, Harry sees a spider slip into her bra and he's trying to grab it. Harmony wakes up and realizes that Harry tried to grab her brest. She doesn't believe Harry's spider-story, because he's affraid of spiders. When she sees one of the legs on her brest, she believes him.
After Harmony left, Harry goes to the toilet. While he's peeing, he finds the dead body from the lake in his bathroom. Because he's freaked out, he turns around and accidentaly pees on her.
After finding the body, Harry called Perry. When he arrives at Harry's hotelroom, he asks him if that's the body. Harry very seriously tells him: "No that's the other one".
While trying to get rid of the dead body, a police car drives by. Perry tells Harry to kiss him, so that the cops don't think they are doing anything criminal. When they finish, Harmony asks them what they were doing.
Harry visits Harmony, who is mad at him. She slams the door and when she opens it again she sees that Harry's finger was cut of.
Harry's car was stolen why he was sleeping in the back seat. When he wakes up, he enters the house and puts his finger on ice. When he turns his back, a dog grabs the finger. Harry tries to get it back, but the dog eats the finger.
Harry and Harmony get intimate and crawl into bed together. They start kissing, but first Harmony wants to tell him something. She slept with Harry's best friend Chook Chutney, something Harmony always promised she would never do. Harry kicks her out.
While trying to get information from a suspect, Harry tries to scare him with his gun. He only puts one bullet in it. After not coorperating, he shoots but the first shot already contains the bullet, leaving Harry speachless and Perry mad because he just shot the only source of information.
Harry and Perry are taken captive and Harry's being electrocuted. Perry tries a different approach by telling the hostage taker that he's gay. He makes him extra mad and when he's trying to strike him, Perry shoots him with his so-called faggot gun. He shoots from his crotch and Harry is relieved that it's a gun, because he tought it was a gay thing.
Perry asks Harry if his father loved him. Harry tells him "only when I dressed up like a beer bottle". Than they turn around because Perry sees a male nurse he likes.
Favorite Moment: Moment # 11: Russian roulette
maandag 26 december 2011
Emma, Rachel, Owen, James and George
I made five new wallpapers featuring some of my favorite people. I'm feeling super inspired lately so you can expect more wallpapers from me. The first two are of Emma Stone. I just love her, she is so talented and I'm going to see "The Help" soon. It opens in theaters this thursday here in The Netherlands.
Next is James Franco. This wallpaper is actually on my desktop right now. For the holidays. And by the way, I asked Santa to bring me James but it didn't happen.... Well I still got a lot of pictures and movies.
Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams where already a great couple in "Wedding Crashers" and I really want to see them in "Midnight in Paris". I haven't seen it yet, but I hope I will soon.
And last, George Eads. Or actually his "CSI" character Nick Stokes. It's a picture from the episode "Targets of Obsession" from season 11, where he shot Justin Bieber (which was awesome).
Next is James Franco. This wallpaper is actually on my desktop right now. For the holidays. And by the way, I asked Santa to bring me James but it didn't happen.... Well I still got a lot of pictures and movies.
Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams where already a great couple in "Wedding Crashers" and I really want to see them in "Midnight in Paris". I haven't seen it yet, but I hope I will soon.
And last, George Eads. Or actually his "CSI" character Nick Stokes. It's a picture from the episode "Targets of Obsession" from season 11, where he shot Justin Bieber (which was awesome).
The Many Faces of... Hugh Jackman
One of the hottest Australians out there and worthed dedicating this item to. Here are some of Hugh Jackman's different looks.
Face # 1: X-Men
Role: Logan/ Wolverine
Comment: I like a real man, with big sideburns.
Rating: 5/ 5
Face # 2: Someone Like You
Role: Eddie Alden
Comment: A pretty standard look, but Hugh looks good.
Rating: 4/ 5
Face # 3: Swordfish
Role: Stanley Jobson
Comment: I hate the movie, but this would be the reason I would rewatch it.
Rating: 4,5/ 5
Face # 4: Kate & Leopold
Role: Leopold
Comment: To boyish for my taste, although the smile makes up for something.
Rating: 3/ 5
Face # 5: Van Helsing
Role: Gabriel van Helsing
Comment: Manly enough, but maybe long hair isn't suited for him.
Rating: 3,5/ 5
Face # 6: Scoop
Role: Peter Lyman
Comment: A real gentleman look and a killer smile.
Rating: 5/ 5
Face # 7: The Prestige
Role: Robert Angier
Comment: Classy...
Rating: 4/ 5
Face # 8: Australia
Role: Drover
Comment: Hell yeah! And in combination with that sexy Australian accent this is the perfect look for Hugh.
Rating: 5/ 5
Face # 9: Real Steel
Role: Charlie Kenton
Comment: Still looking good
Rating: 4,5/ 5
Role: Logan/ Wolverine
Comment: I like a real man, with big sideburns.
Rating: 5/ 5
Role: Eddie Alden
Comment: A pretty standard look, but Hugh looks good.
Rating: 4/ 5
Role: Stanley Jobson
Comment: I hate the movie, but this would be the reason I would rewatch it.
Rating: 4,5/ 5
Role: Leopold
Comment: To boyish for my taste, although the smile makes up for something.
Rating: 3/ 5
Role: Gabriel van Helsing
Comment: Manly enough, but maybe long hair isn't suited for him.
Rating: 3,5/ 5
Role: Peter Lyman
Comment: A real gentleman look and a killer smile.
Rating: 5/ 5
Role: Robert Angier
Comment: Classy...
Rating: 4/ 5
Role: Drover
Comment: Hell yeah! And in combination with that sexy Australian accent this is the perfect look for Hugh.
Rating: 5/ 5
Role: Charlie Kenton
Comment: Still looking good
Rating: 4,5/ 5