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Post by Len on Nov 1, 2003 12:45:34 GMT -5
saw thios on the scifi.com newswire and thought it might be of interest....
9:00am ET, 31-October-03
Sotheby's Sells Vampire Kit
Just in time for Halloween, a vampire-slaying kit complete with a wooden stake and 10 silver bullets sold for $12,000 at auction, the Associated Press reported. The kit—a walnut box that also contained a crucifix, a pistol, a rosary and vessels for garlic powder and various serums—was bought by an anonymous phone bidder, the wire service reported.
According to Sotheby's, some experts believe that such kits were commonly available to travelers in Eastern Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, while others think the kits were made in the early 20th century, possibly to cash in on interest in vampires sparked by the 1897 publication of Bram Stoker's Dracula, the AP reported.
Elaine Whitmire, head of 19th century furniture for Sotheby's, said she believes the kit was assembled in the early 20th century and sold to travelers as a souvenir. A label on the kit says: "This box contains the items considered necessary for persons who travel into certain little known countries of Eastern Europe, where the populace are plagued with a particular manifestation of evil known as Vampires."
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Post by Sarah on Nov 1, 2003 12:48:31 GMT -5
While, as Sue correctly guessed, my kids are rotting their brains on Saturday morning TV, I'm doing the Ripper "research" thing and thought I'd share what I came up with. I've been reading fanfic (like I promised myself I wouldn't, but being weak-willed as well as obsessive, well, that's that) and running across some, if not quite incorrectly used, at least not exactly-used British slang phrases from the Spike characters. One that struck me as curious was his continual use of the word "bint" with reference to Dawn. The way I always heard it used was in a very derogatory way, almost as bad as the "C" word. Then again, I've heard guys fondly call each other "daft c*nt" (which blows my mind, but nevermind). I wondered whether *I* had the wrong end of the stick in assuming that Spike's calling Dawn (or anyone else he was supposedly fond of) a "bint". So I looked for some British slang sites so I could look up "bint" and here's what I found. I thought I'd share with everyone, especially the authors out there. It's quite the gold mine, actually. www.peevish.co.uk/slang/Shanno I've always been a bit surprised by 'bint' too, since as far as I knew it disappeared from English usage sometime in the 1960s, having come into the language during the second world war, brought back by soldiers in the 8th Army in North Africa. 'Bird' became the favoured slang term that took over from it, and had much the same connotations. Though 'bint' was never anywhere near as insulting as 'c*nt' (nor, obviously, as unsayable), it was basically derogatory, just one of those myriad casual words used by men about women when they don't respect them all that much. That said, when I expressed surprise about its usage to my daughter (then late teens/twentyish), she seemed perfectly familiar with it, and didn't particularly take exception to it. So perhaps it made a comeback. Or maybe at Winchester College, where JW went to school in England, it never went away. By the way, does the sheer extraordinariness of his having been to Winchester mean anything outside England? It's one of the most expensive public (ie private) schools in the country (think Eton), and of all the really posh public schools, the most academic - rich, thick boys can go to Eton, but to go to Winchester they have to be both very rich and very bright. He talked about it in an interview - one of the DVD extras? Really interesting. Sarah |
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Post by makd on Nov 1, 2003 13:30:00 GMT -5
saw thios on the scifi.com newswire and thought it might be of interest.... 9:00am ET, 31-October-03 Sotheby's Sells Vampire Kit Just in time for Halloween, a vampire-slaying kit complete with a wooden stake and 10 silver bullets sold for $12,000 at auction, the Associated Press reported. The kit—a walnut box that also contained a crucifix, a pistol, a rosary and vessels for garlic powder and various serums—was bought by an anonymous phone bidder, the wire service reported. According to Sotheby's, some experts believe that such kits were commonly available to travelers in Eastern Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, while others think the kits were made in the early 20th century, possibly to cash in on interest in vampires sparked by the 1897 publication of Bram Stoker's Dracula, the AP reported. Elaine Whitmire, head of 19th century furniture for Sotheby's, said she believes the kit was assembled in the early 20th century and sold to travelers as a souvenir. A label on the kit says: "This box contains the items considered necessary for persons who travel into certain little known countries of Eastern Europe, where the populace are plagued with a particular manifestation of evil known as Vampires." I saw that, too. creepy. just creepy. I mean, I could see using it SunnyD (pre-crater), and LA, but New York City? . . . . Wait.....down on Wall Street and near the East Village......that could come in really handy.... and...oh, oh...plenty of vamps in the Hamptons. They buy that SUPER sunblock! And, everyone knows, the 'burbs are just loaded with blood-suckers, too. In fact, this one time, my neighbor? |
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Post by karalee on Nov 1, 2003 13:47:16 GMT -5
My sister-in-law is visiting here this week, so I asked her what she thought of JM's accent. She said he had her fooled until about a year ago. She had no idea he was from America. She also said that AD's was good, too. I was surprised that she didn't know.
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Post by Sue on Nov 1, 2003 13:48:33 GMT -5
Meat and two veg indeed. And if the "meat" was a banger - you are all a bad influence on me, you really are!!! Anne, We are going to have do an intervention to force you to take responsibility for you own inner (innuendo) demon! Sue |
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Post by Sue on Nov 1, 2003 13:52:21 GMT -5
saw thios on the scifi.com newswire and thought it might be of interest.... 9:00am ET, 31-October-03 Sotheby's Sells Vampire Kit Just in time for Halloween, a vampire-slaying kit complete with a wooden stake and 10 silver bullets sold for $12,000 at auction, the Associated Press reported. The kit—a walnut box that also contained a crucifix, a pistol, a rosary and vessels for garlic powder and various serums—was bought by an anonymous phone bidder, the wire service reported. According to Sotheby's, some experts believe that such kits were commonly available to travelers in Eastern Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, while others think the kits were made in the early 20th century, possibly to cash in on interest in vampires sparked by the 1897 publication of Bram Stoker's Dracula, the AP reported. Elaine Whitmire, head of 19th century furniture for Sotheby's, said she believes the kit was assembled in the early 20th century and sold to travelers as a souvenir. A label on the kit says: "This box contains the items considered necessary for persons who travel into certain little known countries of Eastern Europe, where the populace are plagued with a particular manifestation of evil known as Vampires." Someone did mention it. (Just to prove I have been paying attention), but I don't think the whole article was quoted. It just makes me very very sad that I didn't think to get a shoebox, fill it with garlic, some sticks, and a cross or two and ask Sothebys to auction it off for me. Some people have more money than sense! |
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Post by Sue on Nov 1, 2003 13:55:04 GMT -5
Just wanted to let you all know that the 2 teenaged girls missing from Nashville called home last night and said they had run away. The newspaper did not report where they were or when/if they were coming home.
It makes it more understandable that the police are reluctant to do the whole "Amber Alert" thing when the kids are old enough to drive, have their own car, are with a friend, and there is no direct evidence of foul play (like a witness seeing them in the company of a suspicious person). "Better" outcome than might have been but still sad for the families.
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Post by Sue on Nov 1, 2003 14:03:16 GMT -5
Several of you have (in ages past) mentioned the Harry Dresden novels by Jim Butcher. (I'm pretty sure someone--Patti?--has "Stormfront" on audio tape read by James Marsters.)
I'd also heard/read (and it's on the home page of bigbad.net which a few of our new members have referenced--Haunt and Spikealicious are regular posters there) that there is a deal being made in Hollywood to make these novels into movies. Makes sense given the current success of the Harry Potter movies.
"Stormfront" was entertaining. A quick read, sort of a mix between a detective novel with wizardry mixed in. I can see JM in the role, altho in the book Harry is clearly much younger. If the movies caught on ala James Bond JM would only be able to do the first few before they had to find a younger protagonist. (Like replacing Harrison Ford with Ben Affleck in the Tom Clancy movies).
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Post by Sue on Nov 1, 2003 14:05:39 GMT -5
Welcome Reeta,
Weekends are pretty quiet around here--it's a good time to look around the site. If you are at all interested the best way to get to "know us" would be to visite the website and check out the analyses, essays and fiction. Also, if you click on "Profile of a S'cubie" you can really get to know some of us.
On the posting board you might enjoy going to the ScoopMe Archives and reading the top two threads--"Spike's Pants" -- which was the beginning of the formation of the SoulfulSpikeSociety, and the Tributes to BtVs from the end of last season.
On the main thread the "Picture of the Week" threads are lots of fun and so is the "Nerd Alert" posted by Diane last week.
Make yourself at home.
Sue
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Post by Nan-S'cubie Mascot on Nov 1, 2003 14:12:32 GMT -5
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Post by Shan on Nov 1, 2003 14:19:18 GMT -5
Oh, thank goodness! My "refresh" button was getting worn out! |
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Post by makd on Nov 1, 2003 14:22:29 GMT -5
Oh, thank goodness! My "refresh" button was getting worn out! and the race is on! meet you back at the board in 15!  |
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Post by Shan on Nov 1, 2003 14:36:21 GMT -5
and the race is on! meet you back at the board in 15! LOL! No races for me. I have kids to chase and laundry and shopping to do. Intermtitently. |
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Post by Becky H on Nov 1, 2003 14:57:21 GMT -5
Happy Belated birthday, Spring!
And I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween but I doubt anyone could be happier than my daughter who is the only child currently at Harlaxton. We went trick or treating through the Carriage House and then the Manor and she was loaded down like a pack mule by the end of the evening. People were just giving her six-packs of full-size Snickers bars! And we're going to Cadbury World next weekend... Can anyone say "sugar high"? We ration her chocolate access but this is ridiculous!
We just got back from spending the day in Cambridge and, since we spent last Friday at Burghley House, we thought it would be appropriate to watch Chariots of Fire again. I love that movie but am astonished every time I see it at the social attitudes of the 1920's. I'd remembered the anti-Semitism but had forgotten some of the rest.
Our time here is already starting to feel like it's winding down and there simply aren't enough weeks left to do everything we'd like. But one of the items on the agenda is a trip to Dublin where I hope to meet up with Alice and have a mini-UK S'cubie get-together. She's been extra-busy at work so it might not come off but we'll keep our fingers crossed. She did tell me that there's a mini-Buffy convention there THIS weekend with DBWoodside and Elizabeth Allen but it didn't sound very well put together to her so she doubts she'll go.
In the meantime, to tide me over until I get home and can start watching AtS again, BBC2 has started showing BtVS Season 7 three nights a week. So, I guess that means I have to grit my teeth for Kennedy's arrival pretty soon (sorry, Rob!).
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Post by Betsy on Nov 1, 2003 15:01:00 GMT -5
Not sure who here reads the Angel and Buffy books, but I'd thought I report on the newest.
The newest Angel book came out in October. It's called Fearless. It's wriiten by Doranna Durgin. The other Angel book she wrote is Impressions. The summary of Fearless is as follows:
The gang at Angel Investigations is well versed in the nuances of demon fighting, so they're surprised to find themselves euphorically giddy after a long night of . . . what? their clothes are torn and bloody and their bodies are battered, but their memories of the previous evening are hazy at best. Research determines that they've been doused with demon pixie dust that helps them to heal.
Angel, however, is having the opposite post-battle experience. After years of superhuman healing, he's suddenly recovering from a fight with the resilience -- or lack thereof -- of an average human being. Shaken and reluctant to confide in his friends, Angel is reduced to secret-keeping and collaboration with newfound demon cohorts. If the gang goes in search of their next fix of fearless, will Angel be strong enough to protect them?
I really liked this book. It takes place just before the 3rd Season's "Waiting in the Wings". You see some sides of the fang gang that are interesting and the see some different feelings from Angel. I recommend it.
The next Angel book comes out in December and it's called Solitary Man. It's written by Jeff Mariotte.
Just picked up the newest Buffy/Angel Book. Just came out today. It's called Cursed and it's written by Mel Odom. Here's the summary of the book:
Sulking around the Slayer in Sunnydale, the vampire Spike has often run into demons intent on punishing him for throwing in with the White Hats. But when there are hints of a more organized campaign dedicated to vanquishing the vampire with a chip in his head, Spike sets off on the trail of whoever's put a hit out on him.
Meanshile, in the City of Angels, the vampire with a soul finds that the search for a mystical object is tied to his days as the vicious Angelus. Then Spike -- his former partner in carnage -- arrives in L.A. Each nursing a grudge, and with the specter of Buffy in both of their (cold, dead) hearts, the two vampires reluctantly work together . . . until their torturous past catches up with them!
This story takes place in an alternate continuity during Buffy's fifth and Angel's third seasons. I plan on reading this book this weekend. Will let you all know my thoughts on it, but really how bad can a book be starring Angel and Spike.
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