All the world's a stage for the BBC

This is beautiful. Benedict Cumberbatch recites the "All the world's a stage speech" from As You Like It while clips from various BBC series illustrate the meanings behind Shakespeare's words. It's a powerful video.

Post by BBC One.

I wish I knew what more of these programs are! I recognize Doctor Who, Sherlock, Call the Midwife, Pride and Prejudice, and The Hollow Crown -- I haven't seen this last one but desperately want to. Surprisingly, there is no Downton Abbey.

Excuse me while I go watch a bunch of television now...

Megan reads As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I met Cary Elwes earlier this year at Salt Lake Comic Con. He was genuine and funny, and very excited about this book. I couldn't NOT read it after he personally asked me to!

Fortunately, his book is absolutely charming. Other than the director, Cary is the best person to tell the backstage story. His experience changed his whole life, and it's obvious he's very grateful and humble about it. Cary and co-writer Joe Layden have an easy-going way of speaking -- almost as if the actor and I were talking face-to-face. The tone is enthusiastic and it is evident he's still a little awe-struck over his first starring (and arguably best-known) role. The stories about the filming process, production team, and cast are both hilarious and touching. I am a huge fan of the book and movie versions of The Princess Bride, and this memoir is the perfect tie-in between the two.

An unexpected bonus is the look behind-the-scenes of making a movie in Hollywood (in the eighties, at least). Elwes begins with how difficult it was to even get the movie green-lit, let alone film and market. In the end, he talks about how surprised (and yet not surprised) he and his costars still are that it is still as popular as it is. It's nice to read a book about Hollywood that isn't cynical.  

Note: I requested my local library purchase this book, and I am the first to read it. I'm thrilled that there are already 6 people waiting to read this copy after I return it. I'm trying to decide whether to keep it long enough to read again, or just purchase my own copy. Tough choice!


View all my reviews

Cary Elwes, Theresa, and I Salt Lake Comic Con 2014

Fun fact: This is the 30th book I've read this year, and I've reached my second -- or third, I don't remember -- Goodreads goal. And I have every intention of reading quite a few more before the year is out!

Memes that make me giggle: Zak Gallifinakis is so Raven

Borrowed from Set Phasers to LOL

Things v experiences

After I read the article 15 Reasons Couples Should Go on Vacation Instead of Buying Stuff, I started to wonder: "Which do I value more: Experiences or Things?"

It didn't take long to decide:

Experiences. For sure.

My first two pair of new shoes in over a year.
I content myself with the knowledge they were both half price.
Hope they're still in style in the Spring!

I hate having to spend more than $30 for groceries in a week (especially when I have a $100 weekly limit for total living expenses), but I have no problem spending $30 on one dinner out with friends. I'm not one to upgrade electronics just because I can, and usually only do so when my device no longer functions properly and cannot be fixed cheaply. I'd much rather spend the money on a vacation, or even a pass to Comic Con. I loathe clothes shopping and love rehearsing a play where I get to know my fellow actors and discover a character. If I do buy something new, I always feel buyer's remorse and consider returning it. It's rare that I unwrap or wear anything right away. I have to force myself to remember that I'll end up loving it and I'll forget how much it cost.

A new Galaxy S4

For example, the power button on my phone stopped working on Tuesday, forcing me to buy a new phone. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but right now I resent having to spend the money (plus, the purchase made me late to see Gone with the Wind on the big screen).

I talked with my friend Theresa about this concept, and she sent me this article about Anticipating an Experience or a Purchase. This quote sums up my thoughts on buying things (at least for me):

It's well known that people get used to things that are around them every day, and they soon lose their appreciation for even the most expensive couches and cars. 

I love making memories. I love reliving memories. I am reliant on stuff and am grateful for their convenience, but they aren't the priority. People are. Living is.

I have a quick trip coming up, and a few ideas for a longer vacation this winter. I need something to look forward to, and I really need a break from regular life. It may not be a permanent change, but it's something!

What do you value? What do you spend money on? What do you plan for and look forward to? Are you looking forward to anything right now?

September tybbling*

Possibly my biggest accomplishment during the month of September was to watch the entire series of Battlestar Galactica before it was no longer available to stream on Netflix on October 1. Kind of a miracle considering I had little time between rehearsals, work, my birthday, and Salt Lake Comic Con. The sacrifice was worth it, though I still cannot believe that one of the characters survived until the end; I now consider myself a BSG fan. "So say we all!"

Labor Day was aptly named, as I spent most of the day cleaning my house. I LOVE bank holidays, especially when I'm in a show -- they're about the only time I have to get my home near the level of cleanliness and organization I prefer. Oh, who are we kidding? There's never enough time!

Clockwise from top left: laundry, paper shredding, swept the fireplace, healthy lunch and an episode of The Wonder Years, my first (and last) foray of the summer to my complex's pool, reading the source material for my show, playing with Victorian hairstyles, a lovely and clean apartment.

My darling home

My trusty humidifier died on Labor Day. It saw me through 7 autumns and winters.
So long, old friend.

I shot this photo on ward temple night. Isn't the Salt Lake Temple gorgeous?

I supported Next Stage Productions' (and my Robin Hood friends') first show: A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was set in 1969 which worked really well, especially in the hands of those talented folks. Wendy and I both loved it.

My siblings gifted me some wonderfully useful items for my birthday. I spent most of one Saturday cooking up meals in my new crock pot. Such a relief not to have to eat out during my last two weeks of rehearsals -- just cook up some chicken curry, stuffed peppers, and taco soup and I'm good to go for awhile. Thank goodness I can freeze these things. I love a little variety!

Spent some time in a recording studio with my female costars for Jekyll and Hyde.

My selfie skill is terrible.

Marcie Jacobsen: "I want you to scratch like a cat when you sing this part."
Done and done!

When the production team told us to plan on all day for our technical rehearsal, I had no idea it would go from 9am to 10:30pm! Fortunately, it didn't feel as long as it could have.

Early on, Holly Jo mentioned there were donuts in the green room. I thought there would be a box of donuts... I was thoroughly unprepared for this table of treats!
We ate most of it, but not all. Self-restraint for the win!

The board fed us pulled beef sandwiches and peach shortcake for lunch. YUMMMMMMMM!

Each cast ran through the show in the afternoon/evening.

Pizza for dinner!

Inevitably, we finished and published our latest software release at work during the final week of rehearsals (when I didn't get home until after midnight each night). Without fail, the releases always work out to be at the least convenient time for me. C'est la vie. The release went well. But, by Wednesday, this was the only expression I could muster at work:

Too tired to care if I look angry.

Sylinda and I briefly stopped by the new aquarium last weekend. It was crazy-crowded, either due to the rain and cold outside or it being Saturday afternoon or both, so we bailed in favor of going out for lunch instead. Barbecue on a rainy day is always welcome!

G'day, Bruce!

Cast members were allowed to invite a few people to see our final dress rehearsal. We stopped the show twice, but it felt really good over all. I am soooooooooooo ready to open!

Pre-show hair. The goal is to get it as big as possible.
Did I succeed?

Thank you, Drew, Luke, Nichole, and Larissa for coming!

The bulk of October will be filled with Jekyll and Hyde performances. CenterPoint Legacy Theater keeps saying they anticipate adding performances, so as of this moment I'm considering my Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday nights as booked through November 1. I have no idea if I'll have time to celebrate Halloween; I plan to decorate anyway. Guess we'll find out soon enough what other mischief I may get in to ;)

Do you have any Halloween traditions apart from jack-o-lantern carving and dressing up (yourself or your kids)? I'm not a fan of haunted houses, but is there anything else you consider a must do?

Enjoy October! Autumn is truly upon us now!

*Tybble: to babble through the written word, such as an e-mail or blog post.

Salt Lake Comic Con 2014, day 2

Day 2 cosplay: River Song from Doctor Who

Recap of my first day at Salt Lake Comic Con 2014.

I arrived even earlier for the second day of Salt Lake Comic Con than I did for the first, and I'm glad I did 'cause I was still in about the same place. Fortunately, there were some neat people to chat with while in line. Unfortunately, the Doctor Who fans behind me did not recognize my River Song cosplay (they DID notice another River who walked past). Oh, well, others knew who I was. It's always a thrill to be asked for a photo, though I didn't have nearly as many requests as I had for Princess Aurora!

The farmer from Babe (complete with stuffed pig in his pocket).
Perfect!

The view from my place in line.

As soon as I entered the Artist Alley, I beelined for Alan Tudyk's table. The mission: an autograph for my friend Stephanie. The only celebrity she had wanted to meet was Alan. On Thursday night, she told me she couldn't come, and she gave me the photo discounts that came with her tickets. So, I thought I'd surprise her with a signature. The problem was that I only had about 45 minutes free before I needed to get in line for the Stephen Amell panel, and Alan's line was so long they had to move us "latecomers" to a second location! Fortunately, the line moved faster than I ever though it could, and I was faced with Alan in only about 30 minutes. For such a popular guest at Comic Con, that's practically lightening speed!

Sarah found me while I was in the annexed line.
Such a cute 11th Doctor!

Alan Tudyk. You guys, he was exactly what I expected him to be! I shouldn't have been surprised, based on the panel the day before. He clearly and sincerely appreciates his fans. I usually get tongue-tied around celebrities -- or anyone I don't know well, actually -- but he made the conversation easy. It was weird that he called me Stephanie, but he was going off of the post-it his handler wrote out to make sure Alan spelled my name correctly.
I took notes about the encounter. Here they are (edited to be coherent to normal people):

Just met Alan Tudyk -- such a doll! He did the King Candy and Duke of Wesselton voices for the kids in front of me. The little boy was confused and Alan asked if it was weird that he sounded like the characters but looked like him, so his manager grabbed one of photos of the Duke and put it in front of Alan while he talked -- ha! The man right in front of me asked which character Alan played was the most like him, and Alan said "Wash" from Firefly: the smarmy, funny guy who, when everyone else is fighting says, "Is there a running away option?" He was drinking Starbucks and smelled of coffee. When he shook my hand he asked how I was doing and I said "I'm happy." He was so surprised that it threw him for a minute (He had written "Dear Stephanie" and it took him a minute to remember what he was going to write next). He'd never heard that before and he loved it. I said sometimes I even say it when I'm not because it cheers me up. Alan asked if I was a Firefly fan (I'd chosen a Wash photo for him to sign) and I said I was weird and saw Serenity first and went back to Firefly. He said a lot of people did that. He said the movie was good but the show was great 'cause you could tell stories forever -- the characters were great and the world created so big. I asked what "fong" (from A Knight's Tale) means and he said, "I have no idea." Everyone in earshot laughed. He guessed it might have to do with shipping, like the way "bunghole" does.

VIP ticket holders had early entry to the panels. I was not a VIP ticket holder, but my friend Laura was, and she managed to claim a few front-row seats for the Simon Helberg panel before Stephen Amell's. I am grateful that the staff doesn't make you leave after a panel. Because of that, even though I entered Stephen's panel after it started, I got to sit on the front row! Theresa and I agreed later that Laura wins at Comic Con!

Laura and I from the FRONT ROW in the main ballroom.

Stephen Amell plays the main character on the CW's television show Arrow. He reminded me a LOT of my brother Aaron. Such a nice guy, and very down to earth as he shared stories about the show and his own love for comic books. One of my favorite things he said was "In Hollywood, you are not right for any role until you're perfect for it." He told a story about actor Josh Holloway who for years struggled to find a job. Then he was cast in Sawyer in LOST and became a breakout star. The next year, the character sheets for a ton of new shows asked for a "Josh Holloway type" role. I love this reminder that sometimes there is nothing I can do at auditions to make the director cast me. I'm either what they want or I'm not. All I can be is my very best me and hope that's enough this time! The other favorite quote was about Stephen preferring to do his own stunts: "If they won't let me do it I'll demand to do it shirtless because then it has to be me!" I cracked up, because he is shirtless a LOT during the series. Guess he's just being authentic ;)

When the time ran out, Stephen invited everyone who didn't get a chance to ask their question to join him onstage for a photo. Class act all the way.

Laura and I stayed for John Barrowman's panel, too. Holy cow, he was a surprise! I was not prepared for his energy -- he was like a real-life Jack McFarlane from Will & Grace. A little inappropriate, a lot wacky, and very endearing. He answered questions with gusto, and told a few other random stories besides. I can't even describe how funny he was (this link is the worst-shot video in the world, but you get the idea). After awhile, we started assuming most of his comments were double-entendres: "You might be conservative here but your minds are very liberal... and I love ya!" "All these years, I've never really injured someone except a stuntman -- I broke his nose when I kicked him in the face -- oops!" It may be my favorite panel from any Con so far, except maybe Mark Sheppard at Fantasy Con. He began by encouraging the audience to dance with him, and then shared a silly song: "I love Salt Lake! I want to eat it like a cake! Pity that I do not bake! Except in the bedroom quake -- woo!" He ended by singing "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You." This man has a beautiful, beautiful voice. Do yourself a favor and watch the video below.


This photo made my day. Worth every penny and minute of time waiting in line.

After the panel, Laura did some shopping and I waited in line for over an hour for author Shannon Hale to sign my copy of Book of a Thousand Days (thanks again for the book, Most Happy Girl!). Yes, I waited longer for Shannon than I did for Alan. Fandom is weird, folks!

Then I finally had some time to wander around and take random photos to my heart's content!

Lego Justice League. So perfect!

River Song continues to dominate in the Star Wars universe.

Iron Man (with a great photo bomber).
I love my legs in this photo.

Chantryce, me, and Jillian

Logan Rogan as the 10th Doctor. Nailed it!

Someday, when I have a family, I want to do great nerdy things like all of us dress up in theme. This Doctor Who family are my heroes (even though most are villains... wait, what?)

Barbara Eden's table was within earshot of the line for the TARDIS, so Theresa and I yelled "Barbara Eden, you're beautiful!!" She turned and saw us waving and looked flattered and embarrassed. We tried to say Hi later but she wasn't seeing any more fans. Oh well. She looks goooood!

Possibly my favorite photo from the day: Angry Scully from The X-Files exits the TARDIS, unaware that she is being stalked by River Song. Theresa's costume is genius!

Laura, Theresa and me.

By the end of the day, I was exhausted. Almost to the point that I was picking fights. Somehow, Laura and Theresa convinced me to stay for the Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Sing Along, sponsored by the Utah Browncoats. We all hoped to win something from the raffle, but none of us did. Fortunately, we had a blast singing at the top of our lungs during the movie. So funny. It will always be a perfect way to end a great Comic Con.

I admit that my cosplay wasn't as fun as the Disney Princess one had been. Maybe I should retire River Song, and devote myself to Sleeping Beauty, just for Conventions. There's nothing wrong with being a kick-a--, independent time traveler, but once in awhile it's nice to just be adored. It made for a welcome change of pace from regular life (where I AM a kick-a--, independent woman).

Who wants to join me for the next con?!