How to refuse the annoying Period Drama men - A Tutorial

(This post is written for ladies, but men may read it as well if they ask me very nicely.)

So. You never know, one day a man such as Mr Collins or Frank Churchill will find himself very much in love with you. You might notice this, because of continuing awkward stares and blush-worthily embarrassing dance requests and, oh, those ghastly, ridiculous demands to go out. You will ignore him, of course. That is to say, I hope you will, old sport. But men such as these can't take hints, so BAM, one day they will find you alone and pop down on their odious knees and give you a proposal of marriage.

Saying a flat out 'no' might be hard. That is to say, it might not be enough. So here's a tutorial.
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A MAN LIKE MR COLLINS

A man like Mr Collins are men with 1) greasy hair 2) the ability to talk about one thing for three hours (btw, they normally pick an extraodinarily boring subject) 3) with the most embarrassing wave in the worlds existance and 4) very hard to refuse. It's just that men such as Mr Collins cannot take a hint. Even if you go and shout in his ears 'NO I DON'T LIKE YOU YOU ARE AWFUL AND SLIMY AND UGLY BAHHH', he will pause, slimmer, smile and say, 'Your vocabulary is very charming, my dear,' or, oh horror, 'How funny you are!' (He might even sigh in happiness, which will drive you crazy.)

So if a man like Mr Collins proposes to you, the only thing you can do is go off. Just GO. Don't even bother talking to him. Just go off.

He might try following you, just warning. So quickly jump on a bike or a bus or a steal a car or whatever so that you're out of his sight as quickly as possible. Seriously, it's important. Never mind driving too fast. (I'm happy to say, though, and people such as Mr Collins don't like running, unless they're too late for their patroness' visit. (I those cases, they make haste.))

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A MAN LIKE JOHN WHILLOUGHBY

Now, men like John Whilloughby are supposed to look very charming. They'll probably have curly black hair and they ride horses in stormy days (don't ask.) Oh, and they have a fondness for poetry (and no, the fact that you have a favourite mutual poem doesn't mean anything. Shut up.) Their love for you might be rather surprisingly genuine, but then their love for money is always more surprisingly genuine, sooo. 

Yeah. How to refuse Whilloughby. Basically tell him. Basically don't get carried away. That's basically all.

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A MAN LIKE BLANDOIS

The is the kind of man I don't even want to describe because it's that ghastly. Basically he murders people and talks in the creeeeepiest low voice ever. And he likes to point out that his name is Blandois. (Even though that's not even his real name. Duh. Stupid fellow.) He's seriously not a person - he's a monster.

So do the following. Phone the police. Get him arrested. End of Blandois. (It's all rather simple, you know.)
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A MAN LIKE FRANK CHURCHILL

Men like Frank Churchill are not really in love with you, despite the fact that they will put their head on your lap on that upcoming picnic and form several inside jokes and make judging people and laughing at people totally okay (even if they can hear you.) Yeah, you'll probably think he's a lot of fun. Heh. Thing is, with men like Frank Churchill, they are impeccably good liars, so I really don't recommend the type. Frank Churchill-guys often keep on talking about this annoying girl, and describing how boring she is. BUT REALLY THEY ARE IN LOVE WITH THAT GIRL.

So you'll end up finding yourself deceived. ANYWAY. If he goes and asks you out, or proposes a fake proposal to you (to jilt you later), just ask him if he's in love with the girl he keeps on bashing. And he'll be Very surprised that you know. (You're also allowed to stick out your tongue if you feel like it. That might add to the effect.)

And if you are the girl he really loves, don't accept him of course. (Monstrous idea.) Instead, perhaps give him a fierce sermon about 'how one doesn't propose to a girl one always jokes about and gossips about and describes unpleasantly in public.' (But do thank him for the piano, because that was nice.)
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A MAN LIKE GEORGE WICKHAM

Men like George Wickham tend to like fifteen-year-olds. They wear red coats, because that's what quite a lot of fifteen-year-olds tend to like, apparently. So if you're not fifteen, you know he won't end up with you. If you are fifteen, however, I have to warn you - you're falling in love with a guy who... oh, what's the use in explaining. You're not listening. (I'm referring to Lydia Bennet. Not fifteen-year-old girls in general. Haha.)

But there's one reason why George Wickham is a very handy guy. Listen to him talk about his enemy, and then go and snatch that said man. Because Wickham-type-guy's enemies are the VERY GOOD ONES. So thanks to Wickham you'll find your future husband. (Thank him after you're married. (Nope, don't invite him to the wedding. Not done.))
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A MAN LIKE JONAS CHUZZLEWIT

This is the kind of man that you SHOULDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT. He's not even handsome to start with. He's violent and he stinks and he's just EVERYTHING DISGUSTING. It's not even the wolf-in-sheeps-clothing thing. He's not old and big, like Blandois, but he's cruel and wicked and, frankly, looks it. Also, everything he says is odious.

JUST DON'T APPROACH HIM PLEASE. WARN YOUR SISTER. JUST DON'T.
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A MAN LIKE SIR RICHARD CARLISLE

Okay, no-one falls in love with a dude like this one, so in order for him to find himself a wife, he'll find something embarrassing you did once and threaten to publish it and make it world-wide if you don't marry him.

Don't panic. Don't paaanic. Just let Matthew sort it out for you. Or your dad. He's rich.

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Hope this helped. :-)

My 4 favourite Lark Rise to Candleford characters

Sooo. My life recently has mainly been obsessing over Lark Rise to Candleford. I won't even mention that it's my one weakness, because I've said that many times before, so t'would be vastly unoriginal to repeat it again. But yes, I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT.

So here's a Lark Rise-themed post then. :-)

Please bear that I haven't watched series 3 or 4 yet, so I am unaware of the new characters in there. I might put Daniel Parish on my list in the end, but I don't know yet. I might well though - I've seen pictures of the lad, and I've heard a lot about him. He does sound... em, look, rather nice (*giggle*). But for now, I have enough to choose from as it is.

~.1.~

Dorcas Lane

DORCAS LANE IS THE BEST. Yes, she cannot help but stick her nose into other people's businesses. Yes, she likes a bit of gossip. Yes, she can be very stubborn. Yes, she's disastrously curious. BUT I LOVE HER. She reminds me a bit of myself actually, I suddenly realise. I pry in other people's affairs constantly, I DISASTROUSLY curious, and yes, I do like a bit of gossip, I shan't lie. And I can be very stubborn if I set my mind on it, too.

I love Dorcas Lane. She's so kind. She's so wise and good and so good at solving problems. And then she's also such great fun - hilarious, with all her 'one weaknesses.' And I love how she admits her flaws. Gah, I WANT TO GO AND WORK AT HER POST-OFFICE. I want her to boss me around so badly. :-P

Dorcas Lane makes me want to be a single woman for the rest of my life, frankly. If I don't find my Mr Knightley, I shall happily go in my life as a second Dorcas Lane, and proud of it, too. :-) She's so my favourite character. :-)

~.2.~

Minnie

Minnie LET ME HUG YOU.

First of all, if you don't like Minnie, explain that to me. I must know HOW it is possible, because I don't think it's humanly possible. She's just ADORABLE AND SWEET AND FUNNY. She's so innocent and while everything's her fault you can never really blame her and be angry with her. (Although sometimes you do need to tell her to go out of your sight. Especially when she's talking to you about your love life. (She does this often.))

Minnie is not the cleverest of people, but she's so SWEET and ADORABLE and funny and... she makes us all laugh. I love how she's so taken away by romance. 'Oh, ma'am, I've seen Laura's Ma and Pa kissin' on the road.' or when she said the following to Dorcas lane, a blushing smile on her face: 'I like watching Laura and Fisher together. And Thomas and Mrs Ellison. And you and -' 'Out of my sight, Minnie!'

I love this character. :-) (#bestcharacterever)

~.3.~

Alf Arless

First of all. HIS SMILE. It's the best Period Drama smile ever, I think. THOSE DIMPLES. I wish I could find a picture of his broad smile, but all the ones I found were horribly small ones of no good quality whatsoever.

Alf Arless is such a good nice lad. He's very kind. Such a good sort. I love that he's good-looking, but then a different kind of handsome. I love that he's the parental figure in his family while he's the brother. I love his relationship with his mother. I JUST LOVE HIM. :-)

And he and Minnie together... just too adorable for words asdfghjkl!!!! (No, I haven't actually seen it yet, but I've watched all the fan videos on Youtube, so there. Also, I've viewed pictures and I'm officially melted.)

~.4.~

Caroline Arless

I know, I know. She's a very controversial character. And yes, she has her faults - faults that I don't relate to, I'm happy to say. (I don't drink. Well, I do. But not her kind of drinks.) But she's so much fun!! She totally steals the show in every scene she's in. And I miss her now she's gone! I hope hope hope she comes back. (Does she? Tell me, people-who've-seen-all-of-Lark-Rise.)

You can really see that this character means well. She loves her kids, she loves her neighbours. And also, she's SO HILARIOUS ADMIT IT.

Who's your favourite Lark Rise character?

Tell me, and we can talk.

Before I leave, please watch this video I made of clumsy Period Drama people having accidents. It's only 50 seconds, so you can't do wrong. Plus, I'm rather pleased with it. And also, I'm going to keep on forcing my Period Drama videos on my blog before I have some more Youtube suscribers. (So, I'm going to do The Annoying Thing and ask you to suscribe. Here. Thanks. Have a hug and some pizza. :-D)

And now, without futher ado, have a lovely day. Or night. Or whatever you're about to plunge into.

Fake Trailers

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen (never forget the gentlemen.) The last few days I have started to make Period Drama fan videos, thanks to my lovely sister who said it was something typical me. (She was right, I love making these.) I like to call them Fake trailers. I've made four already, and I must say my little self is rather prodigiously proud of them.

Please grant me your honest opinions. I know I have a lot to learn yet, so do give me some advice (seriously, I can handle brutal facts.) (And a big thank you to Hamlette for telling me how to put up Youtube video's in a larger size!)

Well, what do you think? Which is your favourite? (I am the proudest of 'Testament of Youth's fake trailer, I flatter myself.) If you'd like to see more of these in the future, make sure to pop over to my Youtube channel now and then.

Have a lovely day! <3

Favourite Railway scenes

So, following this post here (in which I show you the epic emotional 'Daddy! Daddy' scene in 'The Railways Children' (which, naturally, is The Movie to look into when one is thinking of Railway scenes)), I am going to talk about my favourite Railway scenes in Costume Dramas. I love Railway scenes. They're so romantic, with all the lace hankies fluttering and waving, and the goodbye or hello kisses, and the steam, and the last-minute stuff going on. Seriously, one day I want to have my own romantic scene at a railway. It's just so easily romantic. :-)

I'm making a list, because it's my one weakness, and I'm going to end with my favourite of all. You know, keeping the best till last, because that's what people DO.

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1. North and South

This is probably one of the most gushed-over, most Squealed-with-capital-letters-over Railway scene in cinema history. I do like it, and it has given me feelsies which made me Feel Good. BUT, it's not my favourite ever. I'll take the liberty of explain why, if you don't mind.

Firstly, I think the kiss is too long. I personally prefer shorter, more simplistic and sweeter things. I like simple love scenes - I squeal more over a darling holding-hands-scene than a passionate, too private kissing scene which just doesn't seem to stop. Granted, North and South isn't that bad, but I think the kiss is a bit too much. Also, it's shown far to close. Just my opinion okay. Secondly, it drives me CRAZY that Mr Thornton has his shirt unbuttoned. I know, I know, it's a little thing of no consequence, but it Drives Me Crazy. And Thirdly, I think it's weird that they 1) Hardly talk and that 2) Margaret just goes back with him, forgetting about luggage or all that kind of thing.

But, yes, this train station scene is pretty epic and yes I DO love it. :-) It's just not the first one I would squeal over, that's all. (Also, I'm not a huge Mr Thornton fan. And also, North and South isn't my favourite Period Drama, really. But I DO love it. Don't get me wrong. ;-P (After all, I DID mention it in this post.))

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2. Anne of Green Gables

Haha, this is the only railway scene in this post that does not involve a romantic couple - (Ahem, m'dear, I wonder why.) - but seriously, WHO does not love the Anne of Green Gables scene where Matthew Cuthbert meets Anne Shirley for the first time?! (Only silly people with no imagination, that's who.)

I know it's not in the book (and seriously, I actually like this scene better in the book, because Anne talks more, and oh, I frankly can't have enough of the girls tongue, I can't) but I LOVE that they did the Matthew-hides-behind-the-corner-thing. It's adorable. It's really quite hilarious. GAH I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS.

And also, in that scene later on in the movie, where Matthew and Marilla say goodbye to Anne when she leaves to The Big School, it reminds us of when we met her first and it makes me rather emotional. I love that Matthew and Marilla talk about 'the lucky mistake' as the train goes off. Gack, it's the luckiest mistake ever invented. Thank you, Montgomery.

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3. Testament of Youth

Testament of Youth! Oh, how this movie makes me MOURN. It has three very very good Railway scenes, but I'm going with the second Vera and Roland one, because it's my favourite of the three, duhh. The first Vera and Roland railway scene is the one where they finally get to be alone without that chaperone, and where they kiss. (How surprised we all are.) I did really like that one. It was very well filmed, and very dramatic and epic. There's also another railway scene where Vera and her parents wave their brother/son off to war. Ugh, that scene was sad. Not that the others aren't. Haha.

In this scene, Vera and 'the Chaperone' find Roland waiting to be set off, with a fever. THE POOR BOY. He gets cared for by the ladies, and Vera tries hard to comfort him. He calms a bit, thank goodness, but the poor chap is scared to death, he is. Vera strokes and kisses him as much as she can as the train starts to move. I know it's cliché. BUT I LOVE IT. It's so sweet and romantic. *explodes in stars*

And then, together with all the other mothers, sisters, fiancés, girlfriends and wives, she waves frantically, sending last glances of encouragement. ISN'T THAT A SCENE.

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4. Miss Potter

And here we have the railway scene in Miss Potter! TALK ABOUT SWEETNESS. This couple is just too stinking sweet and oh this scene is just too good and oh. (That is how my sentences end up like when I describe things I'm very fond of. You should read my review of Rilla of Ingleside. It's filled with terribly ungrammatically-incorrect sentences which would make Henry Higgins turn over in his grave. (But, as Valancy Stirling says, I dare say he would like that for a change.))

(Spoiler paragraph ahead.) Just mark how sad and romantic this all is, people. Mark the mistiness. And mark that this is their first AND last kiss ever. (YES. DON'T WORRY. THE FACT THAT YOU'RE CRYING IS NORMAL, perfectly normal.) Because this is the last time that Beatrice sees, talks to her moustache-man, ever. So when she waves him goodbye from the train, with that lovely happy smile of hers, it's a REAL goodbye, and oh, it breaks many viewers hearts.

Look. HE HELPS HER IN. Too adorable, right? I actually don't remember this scene very well, because it's been awhile since I've seen this, but I remember I adored it, so I do think it fully deserves this place in my list. :-)

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5. Downton Abbey

ASDFGHJKLM!!! (I recently learnt this series of letters are very matchable to unexpressable thoughts, so I thought I might use them, even though I have an AZERTY keyboard and not a QUERTY one.) SERIOUSLY GUYS. This scene is just beyond heart-breaking! It's like this. Matthew goes off to the trenches, he's dreading it, he's scared. And Mary, she's there to comfort him and to wish him good luck, trying to hide her fear of loosing him. It's simple, this scene is, but I just ADORE it.

Just look at those blue eyes. I just adore Matthew Crawley, he's so perfect. (Note for Eva: In fact, I imagine Walter from 'Rilla of Ingleside' to look just like him.) They're in such a serious situation and so quietly in love - in fact, Matthew doesn't even realise, the silly boy, that he loves Mary. Because he's engaged to Lavinia, or whatever they call her. BUT STILL. He obviously SO appreciates Mary's coming to wave him off so much and OH IT'S TOO SAD AND I MUST CRY.

And then Mary kisses him goodbye. On the cheek, like a good sister. It's all so simple and good and... perfect. But it's also horrible and not right. I CAN'T EXPRESS MY LOVE FOR THIS SCENE. I really can't. I love it to bits, that's all I can say. I love it to bits, and I will fangirl over it until I am ninety-something (because by then, I'll probably have lost my sight or something like that.)

Then she watches him leave till she can't see the train. And then only, with the steam quietly vanishing at her sides, she hides her beautiful brown-eyed face behind her leather gloves and starts to cry for her dear Matthew.

I JUST CAN'T. (And I really can't. I'm not just saying 'I just can't' because it's a cool thing to do. I really haven't said half of the things I wanted to say about this scene.)

This is Matthew in the beginning of the scene. I told you he was handsome.

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What railway scenes do you love?

Have I mentioned it? (Because if I haven't, you should tell me without any futher ado.)

A reason or fifty why I LOVE Lark Rise to Candleford. It's my one weakness. (Currently, anyway.)

I'M IN A HUGE LARK RISE MOOD.

Just saying. You know, so you know. I want you to know major things going on in my life, you see. I really do consider you as my confidantes.

Here, let me make a list and tell you WHY I'm very fond of Lark Rise to Candleford at the moment. (I'm also making this list so that those of you who haven't seen it yet, will get that terrible burning want to do so. Sorry, we all have mean sides to us.)

1. It's like revisiting friends.

We saw the first series a year ago, and now we're plunging into season two. And it makes me so freaking happy. It's the kind of aww-remember-that-aww-these-are-my-friends happy. I seriously almost cried when I heard that intro music again and laughed at the good old Mrs Arless and aww-ed over Alfie (yes, I totally think he's a lovely boy) and plain loved Dorcas Lane for more reasons than just because she's acted by Julia Sawalha.

This show is GOLD. It's my friend.

2. There are so many characters.

It's like a more family friendly, kind of warm-mug-cosy-messy Downton Abbey. Downton Abbey is superb, glistering, sparkling, posh and fine, and Lark Rise to Candleford (otherwise simply shortened to Lark Rise) is kind of messy, a-bit-kind-of-vulgar-ish-like and more kind of cosy. But both these shows have the many characters in common, and I just love shows with tons of characters.

Lark Rise has a lot of characters, but not so much that you loose track. And everyone has very specific characteristics and looks, so it's pretty easy to keep track of who's who. Which is good, y'know.

What I love about shows with a lot of characters is that everyone has their favourite. Everyone loves to pick. My favourite is Dorcas Lane. I just love that lady. I would totally go and work at her post-office; we'd have such fun, swooning over our weaknesses together. But then I also love Alfie and oh, Mrs Arless, she's maybe my favourite, because she's so hilarious and jolly and stupid. Oh, I just can't HELP but love her. :-)

Dorcas Lane is just the best. She has a lot of me in her. Or vice versa, whatever you like.

3. None of the characters are perfect

That's what I love about Lark Rise. All the characters are clearly imperfect and have flaws. None of them is utterly sweet or utterly beautiful. It's so nice, you know, sometimes, to have this show with all different kinds of people, people of shapes and sizes and all kinds of characters with realistic imperfections.

For instance, the main character (or is she the main one? Because I can't tell), Laura Timmins, is nice and all, but she's rather naive and stubborn and kind of ohh-I-know-I-know-ish. She annoys me a bit now and then (also because she says 'Mar' and 'Par' instead of 'Ma' and 'Pa', and it just drives me crazy), but it's actually really nice to have a heroine like that.

4. It's funny

Sink me, my siblings and I have giggled a lot. My mum made me not-hear three sentences Laura spoke, because she was laughing so about something hilariously out-spoken Mrs Arless popped out in that adorable accent of hers, with her red curls bouncing on her shoulders.

There's stuff like Dorcas Lane's famous hundreds of 'one weaknesses' and Thomas' snicker-worthy way of talking, and the snobbery of the sisters Pratt. And the Mrs Arless, who, I DO beg your pardon and you MUST admit, is, despite her vulgarity and drinking-fondness, is unfairingly hilarious and totally steals the show.

5. It's pretty family friendly

There are some things I could do less of, but in the whole we watch this with the whole family. (That is to say, so far - remember, children, we're only just starting season number two.) I can remember there were some stuff in season one, when my mum was like, 'This isn't GOOD, okay?' now and then, to remind my younger siblings, but I can't remember anything major going on. (You know, not like Downton Abbey, which I think is strictly twelve or thirteen up.)

Also, the show has quite a lot of children, which is very nice. I love children.

6. There's bits for everyone.

These series should attract a lot of people. The Romantic people (aka, the majority of us girls) get bits of romance, the comedy-loving people get the comedy, the people-who-want-action get some good plots and the people who like movies with 'real issues' (such as wealth, classes and all that rot) get that addressed very nicely.

And the people who are searching for quotes, get what they want, too.

Really, one can't complain.

I can't wait for Minnie! I've heard so many people say she's a great favourite character.

7. The settings.

The title explains the main idea of these series. It's about two villages - Lark Rise, a 'poor' village, and Candleford, the more well-off village with a post-office and a fashion shop and ladies with hats and all that.

And the villages are so beautiful. It's like Cranford - you want to go and move to those villages. So badly. What I also like is that you kind of recognise the streets and the houses as you watch more. It's like, oh yes, that house, we're in Candleford. And so on. Aww, I just love it.

8. The costumes

There ARE some very silly hats - mainly referring to Laura's ghastly upside-down-egg-basket-hat she wears far too often in Season one (see a picture here if you're up to it) - but, as if usually the case in Period Dramas, there are some adorable outfits. Very Victorian, with corsets and slight bustles. I love Dorcas Lane's wardrobe - all the mauves and purples - and some of Laura's dresses are very covet-able, too. 

I also really loved Lady Adelade's clothes (the character, not so much. She can't smile.). She wore some beautiful lace tops and swooping skirts. Absolutely gorgeous, oh yes, I approve most strongly. (Also, HER HATS WERE JUST AMAZING.)

The Pratt sister's colour-coordinated outfits are absolutely snort-worthily ridiculous, but very refreshing, I suppose. Make me grin, which is a good thing.

9. The theme song.

It's the kind of theme song that you RECOGNISE and go 'Ohh, it's LARK RISE!' when you hear it. And then you think of corn and hens and pages flipping over as the actors names are listed. (Oh, people who've seen this know precisely what I'm waffling on about. You do, don't you.)

10. It goes on and on and on

Hours of pleasure! 

How many seasons does this show have? Remind me. Four, I think. So yeah, that's a lot of episodes, a lot of hours. So if you start it and like it (or no, LOVE it) you're in good luck. (Also, just saying, it gets better as it goes on. You have to get to know the characters to fully appreciate them. So get to know them, will you? They aren't waiting (because, duhh, they're fictional), but still. Watch it.)

Just to remind you that Dorcas Lane is AWESOME

Granted, there ARE things about this series which I don't completely love (such as the whole ghost-plot in Season Two's Christmassy special we're in the middle of) but I just freaking love it. Seriously, it makes me so happy.

And now that I've written the post, I leave you to comment with your Lark Rise to Candleford thoughts. :-)

I love you, dear people. Thank you everlastingly much for wasting your precious time on my blog posts. It means a lot, and that's an understatement. Seriously, if I had cake, I would give it to you. (Well, a little bit, anyway. I WOULD keep some for me.)

Thoughts on Lark Rise?!! I need to talk about this with someone right now. :-)

Inkling Explorations - Railway scene

Now, Heidi's Inkling Explorations monthly link-up (which is totally the coolest link-up ever) this month is set around train station scenes. So I'm going to start with that, and then go through my favourite train-station-scenes in Period Dramas.

The scene I'm going to focus on for the Inkling Explorations is that heart-quivering, beautiful, misty, almost-eerie-with-joy scene in the Railway Children. I have to admit, I don't love, love, love 'The Railway Children' (it's a tad too... um, soppy, for my taste) but OH THAT SCENE. That scene where Roberta finally sees her father again... OH OH OH OH. HERE GO WATCH IT.

Perks did not appear until the 11.54 was signalled, and then he, like everybody else that morning, had a newspaper in his hand.

"Hullo!" he said, "'ere you are. Well, if THIS is the train, it'll be smart work! Well, God bless you, my dear! I see it in the paper, and I don't think I was ever so glad of anything in all my born days!" He looked at Bobbie a moment, then said, "One I must have, Miss, and no offence, I know, on a day like this 'ere!" and with that he kissed her, first on one cheek and then on the other.

"You ain't offended, are you?" he asked anxiously. "I ain't took too great a liberty? On a day like this, you know—"

"No, no," said Bobbie, "of course it's not a liberty, dear Mr. Perks; we love you quite as much as if you were an uncle of ours—but—on a day like WHAT?"

"Like this 'ere!" said Perks. "Don't I tell you I see it in the paper?"

"Saw WHAT in the paper?" asked Bobbie, but already the 11.54 was steaming into the station and the Station Master was looking at all the places where Perks was not and ought to have been.

Bobbie was left standing alone, the Station Cat watching her from under the bench with friendly golden eyes.

Of course you know already exactly what was going to happen. Bobbie was not so clever. She had the vague, confused, expectant feeling that comes to one's heart in dreams. What her heart expected I can't tell—perhaps the very thing that you and I know was going to happen—but her mind expected nothing; it was almost blank, and felt nothing but tiredness and stupidness and an empty feeling, like your body has when you have been a long walk and it is very far indeed past your proper dinner-time.

Only three people got out of the 11.54. The first was a countryman with two baskety boxes full of live chickens who stuck their russet heads out anxiously through the wicker bars; the second was Miss Peckitt, the grocer's wife's cousin, with a tin box and three brown-paper parcels; and the third—

"Oh! my Daddy, my Daddy!" That scream went like a knife into the heart of everyone in the train, and people put their heads out of the windows to see a tall pale man with lips set in a thin close line, and a little girl clinging to him with arms and legs, while his arms went tightly round her.

Isn't it so ohh-ish?!! I. GET. GOOSEBUMPS.

But this isn't the only train-station-scene I just love. I have quite a list. 

But I'll keep that for another day, because my room is a mess (which means I need to tidy it up, obviously), and because I'm going to eat pizza in several minutes (please, bombard me with jealousy), and because I wanted a separate post for the link-up. You understand, thank you. :-)

In which I find out how many red-sky scenes there are in GONE WITH THE WIND

Sooo. Apparently I freaking love GONE WITH THE WIND (it really doesn't look proper when not typed out without caps. Admit that.) Despite the fact that I hate more than eighty percent of the characters and loathe everything about the ending and don't see any reason why the story line is that entruiging, I LOVE IT.

Right, so we're rewatching GONE WITH THE WIND at the moment (it's so epic and I hate it and I love it. GWTW makes me so confused.) and I've noticed that this movie, seriously, has red skies flauntering above like, half of the time.

Let's have a look.

1.

This is the first shot we get when the movie starts. Nope, not surprised. 

It's like a warning saying 'Hey, just saying, there's going to be looooads more shots like this, with silhouetted trees and fences and red blazing skies. Stay tuned.'

2.

Then, two seconds later, to show the time-era of the movie, we see slaves working in a field, with - TING, you got it, clever person, you - with red skies to back it up.

Why not, and all that.

3.

The next red sky-scene isn't far off. We see two slave boys tinging the bell to announce 'quittin' time.' Of course there's red skies. Hey, it's evening. EVERY evening is a red-sky one, right?

4.

When Scarlett, or as her dad calls her, Katie Scarlett, and Gerald have a daddy-daughter time, the skies are blazing beautifully. (Because we haven't had a red sky in such a long time, you know, and it was about time.)

It IS kinda beautiful, though. Just look at that.

5.

Let's see... where's the next red sky? Oh, there's plenty in Antlanta, what with the Yankees and all that. Apparently Yankees doesn't only mean red dust and fire, it also means that the skies miraculously turn into reds of all shades.

Don't ask me why, but it DOES help add to the epic effects.

6.

Hey look! Red skies, yes, but there's also a bit of blue around. A GONE WITH THE WIND scene with some BLUE SKY as well as red, everyone!

I'm astounded.

7.

Here's another one, just for your amusement.

8.

Ah, here we have the epic Rhett-says-goobye-to-Scarlett-and-leaves-her-alone-and-Rhett-somehow-loves-her-and-Scarlett-hates-him-and-then-they-kiss-the-epic-kiss- scene.

Because it's Scarlett and Rhett's first kiss of the movie, this scene has a lot of attention. The movie-makers must have put that into consideration, so they added a really, really, REALLY red sky, so that the people who paid attention would think the paying attention was worth-while. Maybe that's the reason.

9.

Oh, oh, oh. Now we have the EPICEST scene of cinema history, wherein Scarlett stands silhouetted against the good old red sky she's so familiar with, clenches her fist and tells us about three times that with God as her witness, she'll never be hungry again. (Even if she has to lie or cheat or steal or kill. Which is pretty mean of her, but never mind, it's a War, so everything's legal.)

Seriously though, this scene gives me CHILLS; It's soooo impossibly epic.

10.

Then, for the rest of the movie, because there are no outside evening scenes anymore, red skies miracurously disappear for a solid hour-and-more. But of course, the movie must end with something red-sky-ish and black-silhouette-ish and epic, so after Scarlett saying that she'll think about things 'tomorrow' (which is most unfair for us watchers, really), we see this shot of Scarlett standing alone, looking at Tara.

Because every single evening at Tara has red skies. Remember that.


Wow. There are "only" ten scenes with red skies. :-)