Size Does Matter

Today I'm here to talk to you about handbags.  Or specifically, the size thereof.

I had to buy a new handbag earlier this year when my last one was finally about to fall apart.  It took much googling of bag shops, saving of pictures, and an absolute list of non-negotiable features.

For me that means:

1. COLOUR
I've had hot pink, red, my last bag was black and white striped.  So long as the colour suits my current mood to a T.  (Every bag I screen-saved was cream!)

2.  BEAUTY
I use this thing every day, so every time I look at it, it must give me blissful little happy chills.  (Look at that pom pom!  And the shape?  Gorgeous.  My husband told me it looked like something Jackie O would have used. I nearly fainted with pure glee.)

3. COMPARTMENTS, COMPARTMENTS, COMPARTMENTS
-  phone pocket
- small zip pocket for keys
- at least two big compartments.  One for wallet, bullet journal, sunglasses, ereader etc.  The other for kids stuff aka water bottles, snacks.
- a middle zipper compartment for emergency supplies - toiletries, tissues, a shopping bag etc
- room for extra pens and paper so my arty kids can draw whenever they get the urge

Just call me Mary Poppins.  For my handbag is a modern day magical carpet bag.

For if you suddenly need a pen, look to me.  Require a band aid?  I'm your girl. My son asked for a pencil with which to draw a "veiled chameleon costume" the other day  and I provided.  "Mmm," said he, "this is a 2B.  I'd really like a 9B."  Did I have it? Did I ever.

 

So, are you a big handbag gal like me? Prepared for anything?  Or are you that magical unicorn - a woman who can leave the house with her key, credit card and phone?

Musing About Johnny and Frances and Jamie and Claire

by Bronwyn Jameson

During this past week an email arrived in my inbox promoting the musical Dirty Dancing.  Now I knew there was a stage version, but I hadn't thought much of it until I perused this flyer.  I'm always open to seeing a musical, you see, and given how much I adored the movie you would think this would be right up my alley.

But…no.  The thought of anyone but Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the lead roles turned me right off.  I just can't imagine anyone else doing Johnny and Frances justice.

Which got me thinking about other iconic (if that is the right word) musicals/movies.  Grease, for example.  I adored the movie and John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John made the roles of Danny and Sandy their own, not to mention the stellar supporting cast.  But I've seen, and loved, several stage versions of Grease.  I think because that experience is an adoration of the singalong, an enjoyment of the songs and the music and the sheer fun and energy, rather than the characters and story.

So, yeah, I can enjoy pretty much any version of Grease or The Rocky Horror Picture Show or even The Sound of Music as long as they sing and dance their hearts out.  But Dirty Dancing has to be the movie version or nothing.  So I've been thinking of other roles which are totally owned by an actor.  Mary Poppins, for example, *is* Julie Andrews…or should that be the other way around?

Do you have a special favourite on-screen characterisation that cannot be matched?  

The other thing on my radar--and written all over my calendars and schedules so I don't forget--is the TV series of Outlander debuting this Thursday night.  Cannot wait! I've heard really good things from readers who've already seen it in America, so I'm *slightly* more relaxed than I might otherwise have been about how Jamie and Claire are portrayed.  Although still anxious.  I so want them to get the chemistry right.

Do you have very specific ideas about your favourite book characters, as I do Jamie and Claire?  When a book favourite is made into a movie or TV series, do you worry so much about them "being done right" that you're afraid to watch?  That you don't watch?