Here is a short transcript of a conversation between my mother and I.
Mom: So, we need to learn how to tie the obi on your kimono.
Me: Well, didn’t you figure it out before?
Mom: Sort of, but not really. We need to know how to do it properly.
Me: Okay, well, you can just look it up on the Internet. Everything’s on the Internet.
Mom: Except the release date for Sherlock Season Three.
Me: ………… *upset glare*
Mom: Sorry.
Me: We don’t joke about some things, Mom.
Often times, women are told we have to be a certain way. We have to follow certain rules, adhere to certain stereotypes, want certain things in life. To defy that is to be disrespectful, or horrible, or scandalous. A woman who is not afraid to stand up for herself is seen as trouble- a problem that has to be solved. Now, admittedly, it’s not as bad as it was at one point. Progress is being made. But there’s still a long, long way to go.
There’s often plenty of women who exist in reality to look up to, but other times, girls like me look up to someone who is fictional and yet is a strong example of what a woman can be. Women who adhere to stereotypes never make an impression. They never leave a mark on history. They fade into the walls and white noise, ultimately forgotten by everyone. But the women who do not behave, who are not quiet, who refuse to follow the rules: they are remembered. They are, in some ways, immortal.
In celebration of that, I collected some of the fictional women I look up to from television shows and movies. I did miss some of them (Luna, Toph, Katara, Martha, etc), but I couldn’t include everyone. Let me know how you like this!
Love,
The Femme Fatale Farmgirl
So, remember how I normally make a Flashback vlog at the end of each month, giving you guys a bit of an update on my normal life by answering 13 questions?
Well, I was going to make one of those for these last two months, (I didn’t have the time to make one solely for April, what with moving back home and finals and all) and I even filmed it.
BUT… it was terrible. I’m a bit out of practice in front of the camera, and it shows… really badly. So, I decided to just do a text post, with the same 13 questions. I will say that I don’t have answers to some of the questions. With all that said, let’s begin!
1. What is the stupidest thing I did?
I honestly haven’t done anything too incredibly stupid. I’ve done a few silly-ish things, but not anything really stupid or anything that makes for a good story.
2. What is the most interesting academic thing I learned?
Well, in my last class of Medieval English, I learned about Margery Kemp, whom my teacher discussed by calling her, “The lady who thinks Jesus is sexy.” Yeah… it was an interesting class…
3. What is the most interesting non-academic thing I learned?
Well, in preparation for my trip to Japan, I’ve been learning a lot about the places I’m going to see and how to behave and such. I’m getting very excited for it! 🙂 I hope you guys are excited to see my videos about it.
4. What is my favorite wardrobe item?
Do sweatpants count? These were not good months for me, fashion wise. I’ve been in gym clothes and tee shirts a lot.
5. What have been my favorite beauty products?
Yeah… same story here. I have been really liking my Pearl Mint lip gloss from Bath and Body Works- simple, keeps my lips soft and freshens your breath, too! I’ve been taking it with me everywhere in my purse.
6. What movies and television shows have I watched?
In terms of television shows:
a) How I Met Your Mother- I was not impressed with the season finale. Yes, we finally know who the Mother is, wonderful, fantastic, whatever. We barely see her, and we don’t even know her name. I’m irritated as all hell with the continuation of the Ted-loves-Robin-but-can’t-have-her storyline, which should have died in Season Four, and I’m getting fed up with Ted himself. He began as a likable character, but now he’s just like that one kid who never leaves your hometown, and expects everyone to be exactly the same as when they left high school at your 30-year reunion, because GOD FORBID ANYONE JUST MOVE THE FUCK ON WITH LIFE!
b) I re-watched some older episodes of Bones- I used to absolutely love this show, but then I just kind of… stopped watching. I don’t really know why. But I re-watched a few that were on television, and I still enjoyed them. I don’t know, maybe I’ll catch up on this past season over the summer.
c) I started watching Doctor Who- and it’s grown on me since I wrote a post about it a few days back. It’s not as immediately addictive as Sherlock, but it’s not meant to be, I don’t think. It’s a more fun show- yes, there are some seriously un-fun moments, but there are also a lot of very fun ones. Christopher Eccleston is probably my favorite Doctor– although, I do love David Tennant and Matt Smith– do I have to have a favorite? Okay, maybe it’s like this– Christopher Eccleston would be the one I’d want to meet and go on adventures with and would see as a father-figure of sorts, David Tennant would be the one I’d want become very best friends with, and Matt Smith would be the one I’d want to marry and have many many children with. (Stop crying heresy, David Tennant fangirls.)
In terms of movies:
I finally saw The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. It was pretty good, but not as good as the LOTR trilogy. I did really admire the acting of Martin Freeman, though- it’s so easy to say he’s typecast, but then you spot the differences in his characters and you can really see how talented he is, how he does more than just act out a formula.
7. What has been my junk food craving?
Pop-Tarts. The frosted cherry ones. Oh, so, good. And so so terrible for me.
8. What books have I finished?
I finished a book by Agatha Christie called Crooked House. I can’t say I loved it, but I did like it quite a bit- it had a twist ending and lots of mystery, so no complaints on those things. I’d recommend it, if you like that sort of thing.
9. What video games have I played?
I’ve been playing Tales of the Abyss some more, but not much. Haven’t really had a chance, too. BUT I also played Slender… and I never, ever, ever will again. It was terrifying. (See the post I wrote about it here.)
10. What songs have I been listening to the most?
I listen to classical music when I study, as I was a lot in April and May for finals, and my favorites would be Ronda alla Turca by Mozart, and La Gazza Ladra by Gioachino Rossini. I also downloaded a few songs from the Doctor Who soundtrack, namely “I Am The Doctor” and of course, the theme song. Also, “A Song for Ten” but that one makes me cry.
11. What is something that made me laugh?
If you’re in any way involved in these fandoms (or Tumblr), you understand why the Sherlock fandom is Ed. It’s funny because it’s true. (I don’t know who originally created this picture, but it wasn’t me- if you know, tell me so I can add a citation.)
12. What have I done to make me proud of myself?
I got my very first A in a college class! A solid A, too, not an A-. I was so proud, I was in tears when I first found out.
13. Did I accomplish my Flashback goal from last month, and what is my new goal?
Old goal: Yes, I put out my first countdown. I’m very proud of it! I wish it had some more views (nudge, nudge, wink, wink, hint, hint) but hey, I got it done! 😀 (I’ll put the links to Parts One and Two here.)
New goal: I really want to lose weight over the summer- so yeah, my goal is to keep working out and watching what I eat, and drop a few pounds. I’ve been to the gym a lot, and I’m hoping that all the walking I’ll be doing in Japan will help, too.
Wow… long post! But I promise I’ll be back making videos soon. I’ve got some pretty good ideas and such. 🙂
Love,
The Femme Fatale Farmgirl
So I thought I’d give you guy something different today. Occasionally, within my many fandoms, I do like making fan art, and I just recently finished this piece based on the show Doctor Who. You can click on it to get a bigger version so you can actually see it.
It’s inspired by this exchange between Amy and River Song in the episode “The Time of Angels”:
Amy: You’re so his wife.
River: Oh Amy Amy Amy. This is The Doctor we’re talking about. Do you really think it could be anything that simple?
Amy: Yep.
River: You’re good. I’m not saying you’re right, but you’re very very good.
I really like River Song’s character and her relationship with the Doctor, even though it’s very different from the Doctor’s relationship with Rose. I like River’s sense of humor and her willingness to sacrifice for the people she loves.
Let me know if you guys like this, or if you have requests! I am willing to do some of those– if they interest me. I’m always open to constructive criticism and comments, so fire away.
Love,
The Femme Fatale Farmgirl
Hello again, buttercups! I know this is coming to you a little late, and I’m 65% sorry for that, but March was absolutely insane for me… plus last week was my birthday! 😀 So, yeah, anyway, same drill as always- 13 questions and answers, and this time, CAFFEINE. (I need to stop drinking coffee before I film things.) Leave questions, comments, whatever down below.
Love,
The Femme Fatale Farmgirl
LINKS MENTIONED
Moona Lovegood’s Sherlock Pressure video: (Go give it a thumbs up!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGIz2Usp4sc&list=LLLc3QKZRcNboo9ysPCFfXkA
Oz the Great and Powerful Review: https://femmefatalefarmgirl.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/box-office-oz-the-great-and-powerful/
Sherlock Obsession Post: https://femmefatalefarmgirl.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/i-am-officially-sherlocked/
My Chemical Romance Goodbye Post: https://femmefatalefarmgirl.wordpress.com/2013/03/24/so-long-and-good-night/
Southern Spring Break Video: https://femmefatalefarmgirl.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/southern-spring-break/
How do you know when you have a problem?
Well, it occurred to me that I might have a problem around 5:40 this morning (which, as I’m writing this is about 3 hours ago) as I was clicking on the link to watch the fifth episode of Sherlock that I’d seen last night. These words are coming to me in a British accent. I now believe that the right person can make even a ridiculous deerstalker hat look sexy. I have not been to sleep yet… at all. Twenty minutes ago, I finished the last episode they have out in complete, sniveling, snotty, full-on-weepy tears over characters I’d just been introduced to less than 24 hours before.
I’m pretty sure that this show is the sight equivalent of premium crack cocaine.
I’d never seen Sherlock before last night- I know, I’m a bit behind the times, don’t criticize me- but finally, all the Pinterest pictures, and the memes, and the knowledge that Martin Freeman (who plays Arthur Dent in one of my favorite sci-fi movies, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) was in it, convinced me to at least give it a fair chance.
It took less than ten minutes into the first episode, and I was hooked- completely hooked. At first, I promised myself that I’d only watch to the end of the first season- that was long enough- 3 episodes at an hour and a half each would take a chunk out of my sleep schduele but it’d be easy to recover… but I got to the last episode of Season One… and I couldn’t stop- I knew I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to!
The adaptations of the original plot, the transcribed characters, the witty dialogue, the humor, the intertwining plot lines, and creative-yet-terrifyingly-real villains… it adds up to one amazing show. And that’s what Sherlock is. I went into it expecting a fairly simplistic story, similar to, if not a direct copy of the books, but I got so much more.
I wish there were more episodes per season- but quality over quantity, I guess. Season Three may or may not air this summer- but I have so many questions! How can I possibly wait for answers?! How did Sherlock survive? What was the “recall” code Sherlock didn’t figure out in time? What’s the “clue everyone’s missed” that Steve Moffat alluded to in an interview last year? What’s going to happen to Watson with Sherlock “dead”? Does Watson really think Sherlock’s a fraud (incidentally, when Sherlock said that, that was the moment I started crying, and I didn’t stop until the credits were over. I don’t exactly know why- maybe I wanted him to be completely invincible… just like Watson.) Is Moriarty really dead- this early in the show? If so, who’ll replace him? Also, what is it about Benedict Cumberbatch’s voice that is so similar to Alan Rickman’s?!
I can’t even think straight right now. Part of it is sheer exhaustion and part of it is just plain nerves, wondering what Sherlock Holmes will do next time.
Love,
The Femme Fatale Farmgirl
I think every episode of King of the Nerds has had one person who pisses me off in some way. At first, it was Virgil. Then it was Danielle. Then Alana. Then Virgil some more. And now it’s Genevieve.
Because she sent Moo home.
Now, I’m aware that’s kind of a non-reason. But I loved Moo- and I wish she’d have won the entire competition. I think she deserved to stay more than anything, and it also would have given the final competition more variety. Because everyone they’ve got left now is falls under the heading of “pop-culture nerd.”
I don’t like that- I don’t think it makes for good television. They might prove me wrong, and I’m not going to stop watching the show or anything- but now they have no representatives of arguably what is most stereotypically nerdy- math and science. That’s not good- it alienates an entire sub-genre of people who identify as nerds.
But the other reason I really really really REALLY don’t want Genevieve to win… she accused Celeste of throwing her under the bus.
When she’d tried to do the exact same thing to her.
That, honey, makes you the worst kind of hypocrite. And I can’t stand hypocrites. I have zero tolerance for them.
So if Genevieve becomes King… I may accidentally break the TV. Just sayin’.
This episode was pretty cool overall, but I wish it’d happened earlier, where we could see more nerds working it out- especially the ones who are very suited to math and science. I understand that’s hard to do with teams, but I’m confident there’s a way to at least to the same theme earlier on and break up the pop culture-themed stuff. Come on, producers. Make it happen.
But in terms of how much I actually enjoyed this episode… it’s kind of meh. It’s not terrible, but I can’t help but feel like the show’s losing stamina. I know it’s already been renewed for a second season- which is awesome, don’t get me wrong- but I can’t help but feel that, if they don’t fix this problem, that might be as far as it gets. And I don’t want that. Maybe they’re just saving all the big shocking awesome moments for the finale. I don’t know.
I’m looking forward to the finale. I know who I’m rooting for. And I’m also curious to know if they’ll bring everyone back for the crowning- I hope so.
Love,
The Femme Fatale Farmgirl
Hello, internet friends! How’d you guys like the Superbowl last night? My team lost, so I’m kind of sad, but at least we didn’t go down without a fight. And Beyonce’s half-time show was AMAZING! I’d forgotten how much I loved some of her stuff, but now I need to go buy it all. And Destiny’s Child was there too! Ah, childhood memories! 🙂
This is my version of a Favorites video, but done a little differently- I would get really bored if all I was doing was talking about material stuff every month, and then you’d get bored of me being bored… it just wouldn’t be good. This video also includes a mini-rant about King of the Nerds/reality television… sorry about that. (Except not really.) It was too entertaining to edit out.
Please subscribe to my channel- I post one video a week, on Mondays! Leave comments, questions, suggestions, and general goofiness down below- I’ll read them!
Love,
The Femme Fatale Farmgirl
Femme Fatale Farmgirl 