This one changes often. I could tell you about my movie husband – Jude Law. I already told you about my first movie crush – Wil Wheaton. I really love Val Kilmer – I’ve seen all of his films. I think Anthony Hopkins is amazing too, but for today I’m going with a more shallow option. Stephen Amell. He’s gorgeous, he can act, and he’s an archer. I have a thing for archers, remember?
Stephen is a Canadian actor best known for his starring role as Billionaire Oliver Queen/Green Arrow, on the hit CW show Arrow. Thanks to Netflix, I can watch my favorite episodes and scenes over and over again. Like this one:
I love the character created for the show. Stephen is excellent in his portrayal of the tortured Oliver/Arrow. And the fight scenes! I could watch him fight all day long. I hope to see him star in other roles in the future. Maybe DC will get their crap together and make a decent Green Arrow movie!
Max and I agree that DC has better TV shows and Marvel has better movies. We are fans of both comic book universes. I’m just happy they both have archers! *wink wink, Hawkeye!*
I have a confession. I am not a groupie. There isn’t a band on the planet I’d wait in line to buy tickets for or put up with a huge crowd to see them in concert. My daughter begged me to attend some music festival – Warped Tour? I think my audible sigh was heard all the way in Wyoming when she told me her friend’s mom said she’d take them. Thank. God.
I don’t have anything against concerts or people who attend them, I just prefer a more intimate setting, like my earbuds in place. 😉 I have enjoyed smaller settings like living room concerts and jam sessions, and we just finished up the Resound Conference two weekends ago which is a worship conference featuring some great speakers and bands with an audience of less than 500 people. I can do that. That’s more my speed.
Confession #2: I’ve always had this annoying habit of falling for bands (their music and sound) without being able to name the band members. I mean no disrespect, it’s just not my thing. Maybe it should be. I can aspire to that, I guess. Is that surprising considering I’m a people person? If you want to know band member names, ask my daughter.
I LOVE MUSIC! I have tunes to suit my every mood. I’m friends with a lot of musicians and love them dearly. I even remember all of their names. Ha! For time’s sake, I can’t promote them all in this post, so I chose just one. My friend, neighbor, and the most peaceful man I’ve ever met. He’s one of my favorites:
He’s an incredible musician, songwriter, music producer, and recording/mixing/mastering engineer. Dave plays in two Indie Rock bands, A Boy & His Kite and Loud Harp. If you’re my real-life friend, you’ve heard me mention both many times.
Photo by Ray Rushing
In 2011, Dave and Asher “accidentally” formed the band Loud Harp. I’m so glad they did. Their music soothes my soul! You can read all about them on their site: loudharp.com (Asher is amazing too! Check him out!)
Photo by Jarrod Reno
In 2012, A Boy & His Kite’s single, “Cover Your Tracks” was included in the film and soundtrack of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2:
Dave’s lyrics and music embody such depth of soul and spirit.
I don’t know how he feels about his Twilight fame, but I can tell you it is his joy to make great music and help others do the same. He is currently building a new studio and running a Kickstarter campaign to finish it. Want to kick something in? Click here: http://davewilton.com/newstudio/
We’re nearing the end of the challenge! Have you been checking out my other challenger’s posts?
I don’t remember where I first saw Leonid Afremov’s paintings, but I remember being caught by surprise by the emotions they evoked. I typically like soft colors, and not being a fan of yellow, I didn’t think I’d be drawn to an artist who uses yellows and other bright colors so liberally. But I am. He won me over.
Mr. Afremov has been hailed a modern day Impressionist, which might explain another draw for me as one of my best friends absolutely loves Monet – even painting her bathroom like his water lilies. I like Impressionist art. While I don’t think I’d be able to fake my way through a gallery talk, I know just enough to say I appreciate the movement, reflection, and light Mr. Afremov captures with his work.
“Leonid Afremov keeps the majority of his art politically neutral. His paintings are not offensive to anyone nor send any hidden messages. The paintings usually reflect certain personal memories and emotions. Leonid Afremov tries to draw the viewer to have a certain feeling rather than tell a story via the painting, or have the viewer see the world how he sees it.”
I love art. Mr. Afremov is one of many painters I admire. I hope you’ll check out more of his work on his website, especially his dancer paintings!
For more great artists, check out my friend’s posts:
If you had the chance to change your fate, would you?
She’s adventurous, feisty, and desires to control her own destiny. She’s a gifted archer and good with a sword, but it is her spunk that drew me in. I love her playful relationship with her dad, and I love her bravery!
Merida of the Clan DunBroch
Don thought I’d choose Katniss Everdeen. I thought about Belle from Beauty and the Beast. I could have easily chosen Eowyn again, or one of the other kickass heroines I love so much, but Merida has been on my mind. I relate to her defiance against traditions and expectations, and admire her fighting spirit. And who doesn’t love her red hair? 😉
I share some of her less desirable qualitites as well, I suppose. She’s brash and sometimes acts without thinking only to regret it later. Been there. But I couldn’t help cheering when I watched this scene:
She’s been my Facebook profile picture many times, she’s currently my cover photo, and friends send me pictures of her. Fans of Merida have drawn and painted amazing depictions of her. This one by artist Heather Theurer is my favorite:
A few years ago, my friend Michelle bought me a figurine which now sits in my office. Every kid who stops by wants to play with her because she’s beautiful, posable, and her accessories rock! She only came with one arrow, which I assume is enough – she’s that good. I love her.
She inspires me when I write by reminding me I too am brave.
Have you stopped by my fellow challenger’s sites lately? We still have a few days left to catch up and finish our challenge!
As reading is like breathing to me, there are so many great characters I could choose from the thousands of books I’ve read. I don’t really have one favorite, but I have one that comes close, and as her story has been on my mind lately, I chose her for today’s topic.
Éowyn.
These are movie photos of Miranda Otto who played the character in Peter Jackson’s epic masterpiece. I loved her in the film, but as all book nerds will agree, the book is always better, and Éowyn as a character is no exception. Yes, I think J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings was and is genius. I was captivated from the moment I stepped foot in the Shire.
Orphaned young and raised alongside her brother Éomer in her uncle’s home – King Théoden of Rohan, Éowyn longs for more than a woman of that age is relegated to. The story finds her caring for her uncle, whose mind has been poisoned by his evil advisor – Sauron’s spy and a lecherous man who lusts after her. Her brother has been banished and she’s alone, trapped in a life she doesn’t want. A life of she fears. When opportunity to escape her perceived fate comes to her doorstep, she is more than willing, but is thwarted by the man she thinks she loves when he tells her it is her duty to lead her people in her uncle’s and brother’s absences. Nevertheless, she eventually makes her way into battle and to everyone’s amazement, defeats the Witch-king who had been the subject of a prophecy that said no man could kill him. When threatened with a fate worse than death, Éowyn responds:
“But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Eomund’s daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.”
“Then tottering, struggling up, with her last strength she drove her sword between crown and mantle, as the great shoulders bowed before her. The sword broke sparkling into many shards. The crown rolled away with a clang. Éowyn fell forward upon her fallen foe.”
I love Éowyn! She calls herself a “wild shieldmaiden of the north.” I can relate to that. The White Lady of Rohan. Lady of the shield-arm. Daughter of the House of Eorl. She had many names, but of course I connected with the shield references the most. She is fierce, loyal, and determined, yet in the books as she recovers from her battle wounds, she has a change of heart about her “fate” and she softens, saying she’ll become a healer. That resonates with me too.
Sometimes I Write 