gwendolyngrace (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
gwendolyngrace) wrote2008-05-04 12:13 am
gwendolyngrace) wrote2008-05-04 12:13 am
Crown, and Iron Man
CHRISTOPHER AND MUIRGEN WON, YAY!
OMG, we have to do this again. Well, it'll be fun. And interesting. And I guess I'd better replace my car. And I'll get to see Josie much more often!
Of course, Cabaret, if I am cast, will conflict with Gulf Wars. But...dude, it's Cabaret. Still going to go for the part with all my ability, and we'll see what happens. If yes, then yes. If no, then Mississippi, here I come.
There were 19 combatants, so instead of a 32-man tree, His Majesty decreed that a 16-man tree be drawn by random assignment. The remaining 3 fighters were given the opportunity to "Challenge in" with the combatant of their choice--one bout, and the winner would take the allotted place in the tournament. The losers of these three bouts would then be allowed to pick from the losers' list a combatant to challenge in, and if they won that bout, they'd advance in the tourney.
Yes, you guessed it. Maghnus was challenged for his place in the tourney. And he hit his opponent, who cried, "Good!...Oh, no, wait."
So they kept fighting, but this was a sufficient psychout. And by the time there was a losers' list, there was only one option available for Joel to fight--Henri--and he lost almost immediately.
So we've been talking about the role of reputation and fighters' perception of other fighters, especially in Crown list. And we've also been talking about how both attitude and appearance contribute to one's success in the list.
One thing I keep trying to impress upon him is the need to fight some of these guys when it's not a crown, even if that means traveling to events and practices he wouldn't normally attend. Because I know that fighters who fight him on a regular basis respect him and his fighting and all that good stuff. But for some reason, he has a...less formidable reputation among fighters with whom he only has contact at Crowns.
Then, too, he's had the armor setback ($1K for armor that still has not been delivered, two years and MULTIPLE attempts to secure delivery later), and his kit is in HORRIBLE shape. He was actually starting to get some repair work done and his gambeson and all looked okay for a while when he had squires, but then they went and got elected Baron and Baroness. Hey,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
byronhaverford, you're still *my* squire.... Think we could create a Project Joel and get him new kit?
Because I keep telling him that appearance and attitude do matter, especially in Crown. They shouldn't but they do. And I wind up feeling really guilty and like the worst lady EVER because I'm not able to sew him new stuff, to make sure that he's, y'know, assembled and ready, that we have matching banners and a banner display that works, that we look and present well, etc. For what it's worth, we did everything right as far as our battleplan this time: good night's sleep, some "real food" in the morning, got to the site early, and Joel had a couple warm-up rounds with Chadd and Char before the tourney. Unfortunately, it didn't do a damn bit of good because the "challenge" structure allowed someone to play the psychological game with him (again).
Well, afterwards, we went to supper with several folks and then Joel and I came back to our hotel in Dunkirk (which is where we are now) and went to see Iron Man.
GOOD MOVIE.
First off, it starts with "Back in Black" and the ending credits start with "Iron Man"--and the score is very hard rock-influenced as well (really good, in fact I'm thinking I'll get it from iTunes). So right there it gets the Dean Winchester seal of approval. ;^D
The CGI is wicked cool, and Robert Downey, Jr. is really pitch-perfect as Stark. I love the way he mutters to himself while working...and the artificial intelligence software and the practically anthropomorphized robotic assistant "pets" in his lab provide excellent sidekick action in lieu of an actual sidekick. Gwyneth Paltrow's performane is surprisingly understated andDennis Quaid Jeff Bridges (thank you, Cassie!) chews scenery, but not too horrifically. Basically, it rocked (pun intended) and it's going on the "To Own" list.
Oh, and if you go see it, stay through the credits to the VERY END.
We also saw trailers for The Dark Knight (which is not, apparently, based on Frank Miller, but is a continuation of the Batman Begins universe...which I know many of you know, but sue me, I don't go to see movies in the theatre anymore), and The Incredible Hulk and Frank Miller's Spirit, which both look dreadful (Spirit is done in Sin City style), and Indiana Jones, baby!
Yeah, it's a big year for franchises.
One thing that got me was that--okay, we're in a tiny town in western NY, right, so I didn't expect the audience to be very sophisticated (and it wasn't, believe me. Mostly high school and college kids), but *none* of them seemed to have any excitement over Indiana. Is it really a generational thing? Do they not understand how COOL Raiders of the Lost Ark was? I guess it's been ripped off so many times (and riffed so many times) that it doesn't hold the same mystique.
OMG, we have to do this again. Well, it'll be fun. And interesting. And I guess I'd better replace my car. And I'll get to see Josie much more often!
Of course, Cabaret, if I am cast, will conflict with Gulf Wars. But...dude, it's Cabaret. Still going to go for the part with all my ability, and we'll see what happens. If yes, then yes. If no, then Mississippi, here I come.
There were 19 combatants, so instead of a 32-man tree, His Majesty decreed that a 16-man tree be drawn by random assignment. The remaining 3 fighters were given the opportunity to "Challenge in" with the combatant of their choice--one bout, and the winner would take the allotted place in the tournament. The losers of these three bouts would then be allowed to pick from the losers' list a combatant to challenge in, and if they won that bout, they'd advance in the tourney.
Yes, you guessed it. Maghnus was challenged for his place in the tourney. And he hit his opponent, who cried, "Good!...Oh, no, wait."
So they kept fighting, but this was a sufficient psychout. And by the time there was a losers' list, there was only one option available for Joel to fight--Henri--and he lost almost immediately.
So we've been talking about the role of reputation and fighters' perception of other fighters, especially in Crown list. And we've also been talking about how both attitude and appearance contribute to one's success in the list.
One thing I keep trying to impress upon him is the need to fight some of these guys when it's not a crown, even if that means traveling to events and practices he wouldn't normally attend. Because I know that fighters who fight him on a regular basis respect him and his fighting and all that good stuff. But for some reason, he has a...less formidable reputation among fighters with whom he only has contact at Crowns.
Then, too, he's had the armor setback ($1K for armor that still has not been delivered, two years and MULTIPLE attempts to secure delivery later), and his kit is in HORRIBLE shape. He was actually starting to get some repair work done and his gambeson and all looked okay for a while when he had squires, but then they went and got elected Baron and Baroness. Hey,
byronhaverford, you're still *my* squire.... Think we could create a Project Joel and get him new kit?Because I keep telling him that appearance and attitude do matter, especially in Crown. They shouldn't but they do. And I wind up feeling really guilty and like the worst lady EVER because I'm not able to sew him new stuff, to make sure that he's, y'know, assembled and ready, that we have matching banners and a banner display that works, that we look and present well, etc. For what it's worth, we did everything right as far as our battleplan this time: good night's sleep, some "real food" in the morning, got to the site early, and Joel had a couple warm-up rounds with Chadd and Char before the tourney. Unfortunately, it didn't do a damn bit of good because the "challenge" structure allowed someone to play the psychological game with him (again).
Well, afterwards, we went to supper with several folks and then Joel and I came back to our hotel in Dunkirk (which is where we are now) and went to see Iron Man.
GOOD MOVIE.
First off, it starts with "Back in Black" and the ending credits start with "Iron Man"--and the score is very hard rock-influenced as well (really good, in fact I'm thinking I'll get it from iTunes). So right there it gets the Dean Winchester seal of approval. ;^D
The CGI is wicked cool, and Robert Downey, Jr. is really pitch-perfect as Stark. I love the way he mutters to himself while working...and the artificial intelligence software and the practically anthropomorphized robotic assistant "pets" in his lab provide excellent sidekick action in lieu of an actual sidekick. Gwyneth Paltrow's performane is surprisingly understated and
Oh, and if you go see it, stay through the credits to the VERY END.
We also saw trailers for The Dark Knight (which is not, apparently, based on Frank Miller, but is a continuation of the Batman Begins universe...which I know many of you know, but sue me, I don't go to see movies in the theatre anymore), and The Incredible Hulk and Frank Miller's Spirit, which both look dreadful (Spirit is done in Sin City style), and Indiana Jones, baby!
Yeah, it's a big year for franchises.
One thing that got me was that--okay, we're in a tiny town in western NY, right, so I didn't expect the audience to be very sophisticated (and it wasn't, believe me. Mostly high school and college kids), but *none* of them seemed to have any excitement over Indiana. Is it really a generational thing? Do they not understand how COOL Raiders of the Lost Ark was? I guess it's been ripped off so many times (and riffed so many times) that it doesn't hold the same mystique.
no subject
Perception. Psychological games. Crown, in a nutshell.
If you make a list of everything you would need for Project Crown, physical stuff, and you have the start of a list here, please share? I will see what I can do to help with a piece.
Love ya. And him. Hugs.
no subject
Been there, hon. Hugs.
no subject
We've been discussing it (obviously) for the better part of last evening and again now that we're awake, and I think it's very telling that all three of the "challengees" had parallel experience: all three of them (Finn, Maghnus, and Athos) lost their slots as a result of the challenge bouts; NONE of the three of them were able to successfully challenge back in from the pool in the losers' lists.
This to me suggests that it was a highly flawed solution. I completely understand why HRM wanted to shorten the tourney (the weather truly was AEthelmearcian) but I don't think it was sufficiently random as to allow the three of them a fair shake.
But yeah, we'll start a list. Thanks, babe!
no subject
Er, I'm pretty sure you mean Jeff Bridges? ;-> I was all "The Dude does not condone violence!" at some scenes.
I always stay for the credits and this time I'm glad I did.
I, too, loved the soundtrack and will be toddling off to iTunes as soon as I can to buy it. Dean Winchester *would* approve.
When I saw the trailer for Dark Knight, Heath Ledger's performance really gave me deja vu for The Crow. Same frisson.
Is it wrong that I thought Shia LaBoeuf on a motorcycle was...kinda hot?
no subject
:headdesk.
Of course I do. Without hair, I get confused. Yeah, that's my excuse.
Man, I so totally hadn't been paying attention to any of The Dark Knight stuff. I'd even forgot that was Heath Ledger. Again, :headdesk.
Shia...I dunno. He's cute, but not in a hot way for me. More of a "Oh, come here and let me wipe the schumutz off your face with this napkin" kind of reaction.
no subject
Of course I do. Without hair, I get confused. Yeah, that's my excuse.
Hahahah! mostly I was like "Jeez, he has a BIG head."
He's cute, but not in a hot way for me. More of a "Oh, come here and let me wipe the schumutz off your face with this napkin" kind of reaction.
I think that was the stubble he's trying to have in the movie to soften the babyfat.
I know, I'm a dirty old woman. All I know is when he drove up on the bike I sat up and said "Hello!"
It was probably more the motorcycle than anything.
no subject
That is the first thing that me and my friend Zee said, lol. We turned to one another and were like DEAN! We totally cracked up.
The CGI is wicked cool, and Robert Downey, Jr. is really pitch-perfect as Stark. I love the way he mutters to himself while working...and the artificial intelligence software and the practically anthropomorphized robotic assistant "pets" in his lab provide excellent sidekick action in lieu of an actual sidekick.
I think that is what made him a little more than different than the other Marvel movies I've seen. It was funny when he kept threatning the "fire extinguisher".
Oh, and if you go see it, stay through the credits to the VERY END.
--head desk---
We made the mistake of getting up as soon as the credits started rolling, cause the theater was so packed that people were sitting on the stairs just to see it. So we wanted to beat the crowd out. I am so regretting that now.
The trailers were saw were for IDIANA JONES, SPIRIT (which I thought was gonna be SinCity2), sadly no DARK KNIGHT TRAILER.
One thing that got me was that--okay, we're in a tiny town in western NY, right, so I didn't expect the audience to be very sophisticated (and it wasn't, believe me. Mostly high school and college kids), but *none* of them seemed to have any excitement over Indiana. Is it really a generational thing? Do they not understand how COOL Raiders of the Lost Ark was? I guess it's been ripped off so many times (and riffed so many times) that it doesn't hold the same mystique.
My crowd was a mix of generations so as soon as the song came on everyone (over 300people) started shouting for joy.
no subject
My crowd was a mix of generations so as soon as the song came on everyone (over 300people) started shouting for joy.
See, I'm sick and wrong (did I mention that?) so when I heard the Ark theme, I sighed for joy, but when the vamp started, I leaned over to Joel and started singing the Moosebutter song... (Long. Time ago. Far. Far away. Long. Time ago. Far. Far away. Kiss a Wookie, kick a droid. Fly the Falcon through an asteroid, 'til the Princess is annoyed! This is spaceships, it's monsters it's Star Wars, we love it....)