Sherlock, Season 3

Let me just start of by warning all of you that this post is going to have tons of Sherlock spoilers,so if you haven't watched all of season 3 yet, it might be better if you don't read this post at all. Consider yourselves warned!

Now, on to the good stuff. 

The Premiere deserved a special something to commemorate the event. Since our original tea party was a flop, we went ahead and did a re-do. 

What is Sherlock without tea? Sad. It is sad. One doesn't feel properly British without tea.

Just put the cookies on my lap. That's right.  

The Empty Hearse

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Enter person running for his life through a forest

*Squeeee!* 

Sherlock LIVES!

Enter John being adorable in the restaurant.

*Snickers with joy*

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Who wouldn't love this episode? Sherlock lives and John finally knows. 

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Oh, and then there's Mary. I was surprised at how much I loved Mary right away. She is perfect for John. She actually likes Sherlock--and Sherlock likes her. It is definitely meant to be. :)

I did feel like the episode was the tiniest big rambling. Almost like it was there just to get you back into the whole Sherlock thing. The plot was a little odd. There wasn't much crime solving and the detecting that was there sort of took a back seat to the characters. But the characters are fantastic. They take you right back to 221B in the best way. 

John's reaction to Sherlock being alive was pretty much as perfect as I hoped it would be. 

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*Grins like a moron*

This moment? Fantastic!

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Overall, this episode was completely satisfying. Everything I hoped would happen did happen. Except for the fact that I'm still not 100% sure how Sherlock faked his death. I don't think the story Sherlock told Anderson was completely true. I felt like Sherlock embellished it a bit...

What do you all think? Maybe I'm looking into it too much?

Still. I was delighted with the whole thing. There was brilliant bits of humor an brilliant bits of...stuff happening. 

John getting drugged and trapped in an effigy fire. Strange but exciting. 

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And the scary/hilarious bit with the bomb.

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 The Empty Hearse gets a 4-5 star rating in my opinion. 

It was way better that season 2's premiere. I totally hated Irene Adler and that episode is my least favorite. This one was just good fun. It laid the groundwork for the rest of the season and left you eager for the next episode. 

Unfortunately, what with jobs and life and no TV, we had to wait a week before we could watch the next episodes. 

It felt longer. After two years of waiting, how can a week make that much of a difference?

I should also thank all of you that were kind enough to send me links to where I could watch season 3 online. Otherwise I might very well still be waiting. :)

We were definitely in full Sherlock mode when we got together to watch the rest of the season. 

We had a wonderful dinner and watched both episodes 2 and 3 the same night. It was a blast!

One of my friends got me a really cool cookie cutter and this was the night to try it out.

Isn't it cool the way it sits on the side of the cup?

The Sign of Three

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I LOVED this episode. Everything about it was fantastic. 

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I will be the first to say that if someone had asked me if I liked the idea of John and Sherlock getting drunk, I would answered with an admit no. But I actually I didn't mind! It was done well and it really was very funny.

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Oh, and this scene? Awesome!

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Because that's what best friends do.

This episode was probably the most sweet and thoughtful of any of them. There were some really touching moments and the part where Sherlock plays his violin for John and Mary's dance was perfect.

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I was just...

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I really enjoyed the way this episode goes along and you sit there thinking, "is this going anywhere?" as Sherlock's 'best man speech' goes on and on. Then suddenly everything ties together perfectly.

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I loved the crime in this one. Which does sound a little bit creepy, doesn't it? I found it to be very clever. I like clever crimes. Which also sounds a bit creepy, but oh well.

I might add that I knew the bad guy was the photographer at John's wedding the second he showed up there. *Smirks*

His Last Vow.

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So while Moriarty might be the best villain in Sherlock, this is the guy you hate the most.

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Charles Augustus Milverton...

I mean, at least Moriarty has a certain amount of class--for a creepy, crazy person, that is.

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This guy was just...*shudders.* You pretty much want him to die the first time you see him. At least I did. Anyone else? Gosh, he was just so oily and piggish.

I wasn't prepared for what happens in this episode. The whole Mary plot twist took me by complete surprise. And I hated it at first. I couldn't see how they could ever fix a plot twist like that.

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But then this scene happened and I cried like an idiot. 

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And suddenly it worked! 

And let me just add that John is my favorite. He has been since the first episode of the first season. But that moment just made me love for him even more. He is such a great fellow. *Melts*

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I think this episode might have been the strongest of season 3. It was driven, it was confusing and it was brilliant.

The whole beginning is just great. I love the bit with John in that old warehouse place. 

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And that line, "I'm a doctor, I know how to sprain people," cracks me up every time I think about it.

There was more off-ish stuff in this episode than in the other two, which is unfortunate. Nothing as blah as the Irene Adler stuff. But frustrating none the less. 

Still, that stuff aside, I loved it. 

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I am hoping season 4 gets back to solving crime a little bit more. Don't get me wrong, there are crimes in season 3 and they were good and I loved them. But the other two seasons focused a bit more on the actually crimes and the crimes felt like they were more important to the plot than in season 3.
Other than that, I really have no complaints. The character development was awesome and I am feeling quite ready for round two of season three. *Grin* I think it might even be better the second time around.

What about you all? What did you think? 

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Well, that's pretty much sums up my views on it. And yep. Now we wait. *Resists the urge to pull out hair*

But hey, at least there will be a season 4! And we've got this to look forward to!

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And with that pleasant thought, I'm off!
God Bless!
Amy

Ramblings

Hello all~

As you can see, I'm doing rather splendidly with my two posts a week thing. Dedication is my middle name.
Oh but really, I will work it out at some point and there will be two posts a week around here sometime in the near future.

Aye well.

I'm feeling rather virtuous writing this post. I could have just thrown my hands up in despair, settled down with my book and ignored the internet. But here I am! As I said, dedication is my middle name. *Snicker*

I just re-watched the first Hobbit movie this evening with my family. It was great fun. 

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I'd only seen it once in theaters and it was long over-due. Can you believe that? I'd only watch the The Unexpected Journey once! How did that happen?

Oh and my sisters and I finally got the chance to watch The Empty Hearse and I LOVED it!

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Tomorrow we shall watch the other two, if things work out according to our plans. *Fingers crossed*
Enough about that, though. I will gush about Sherlock in a post all its own.

For now I'm moving on to music.

Song of the Week

Some say love, it is a river

That drowns the tender reed.

Some say love, it is a razor

That leaves your soul to bleed.

Some say love, it is a hunger,

An endless aching need.

I say love, it is a flower,

And you its only seed.

This is such a pretty song. The lyrics are beautiful and a bit sad...and a bit hopeful. I really go for the sad-hopeful combo. :) I feel like sad things should have a bit of hope to them. 

It's the heart afraid of breaking

That never learns to dance.

It's the dream afraid of waking

That never takes the chance.

It's the one who won't be taken,

Who cannot seem to give,

And the soul afraid of dyin'

That never learns to live.

Two of my sisters and myself have worked out the arrangement of this version-ish and have quite a lot of fun singing it. Three part harmony is exciting! (Spoken like a true music nerd. lol) We did some singing earlier today since we are finally getting our voices back after this extremely lingering cold. We warbled away for a good hour or so before the rest of the family got impatient for the Hobbit and we had to stop. We hadn't sung this song for a while, so we were a little rusty, and after going over it a couple of times, I wanted to listen to it for real. Hence you all get to hear it too. *Smile*

When the night has been too lonely

And the road has been too long,

And you think that love is only

For the lucky and the strong,

Just remember in the winter

Far beneath the bitter snows

Lies the seed that with the sun's love

In the spring becomes the rose.

So here, my favorite version of The Rose. Enjoy.

Goodnight! God Bless.

Amy

Changing Colors

There is nothing quite so sad as being all prepared to watch Sherlock, The Empty Hearse and realize that it isn't going to stream online. Last night was a bit of a disappointment. 

Sitting around, trying to find somewhere to watch Sherlock!

I mean, I suppose I should have realized TV never streams online at the same time that it's airing on Television. But the PBS website had this tantalizing countdown to the premiere and I just thought I'd be able to watch it. And then I couldn't. And that was sadness. 

I had made almond short bread cookies...

And prepared tea...

And Moriarty never showed up!--Oh wait. That's a good thing.

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I believe it will stream online soon-ish. And then I will watch it. *Nods* 

But we couldn't waste all the tea and cookie goodness...

So we made the most of the evening anyway, watching Arrow on netflix and consoling ourselves. 

It was actually quite fun and relaxing. Arrow is a pretty fun show. You have to be a little bit careful when you watch it because there are some things in it. But overall, it's pretty good. It is more for older people, what with the fighting and some of the themes . But the archery is cool, and there's lots of running and fighting and sneaking. :) I like it when people sneak about and do cool things. 

Some of my sisters and I are hoping to throw a Sherlock Party in earnest to make up for the disappointment of not watching it last night. 

This looks cool. I don't know what it's for or how to play it, but I'm sure we'll come up with something. And there should be a prize. I believe in making the most of the little things. *Smile*

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~Song of the week~

You look at me with uncertainty

You look at me with urgency

You look at me with fear in your eyes

Like you're about to fall away

So, I was out doing a flower delivery at my job, driving around in a big white van that beeps when you back up, and listening to Josh Groban's All that Echoes CD. That may be the best part of my florist job; Bringing flowers to people and listening to music while I do it. It's almost like not working.

But anyway, I got to Changing Colors which I've heard many times before, but for some reason, this time it made me all sniffy. You know when you become familiar with a song, you almost don't pay attention to it anymore, and then you listen to it, really listen to it again, and it's like hearing it for the first time? I love it when that happens. 

Don't be afraid to change your colors now

I've known you all summer and you rose above it all

I see you hesitate to fall now

But it's a pretty good view from down here too

I love the imagery this song brings up. And I love the line, "I see you hesitate to fall now, but it's a pretty good view from down here too." It's a comforting line, I think. It's like a little reminder that you don't have to achieve something great and high up in the world to be happy. That's how I see it, at least. 

When the wind takes you it takes me too

And when you change colours, I'll change mine too

Try not to think and I will try too

And when you let go, I will let go too

The cold air is pushing hard on you

I know what you're saying, I can feel it too

You'll go through changes and I'll go through them too

Don't be afraid now, no don't be afraid, don't be afraid

Does anyone else think it would be amazing to be able to write lyrics like this? I've thought about that so many times when listening to music. Words take on so much more meaning when they're paired with music and you can create something so beautiful. I bet it's extremely satisfying. 

Cause when the wind takes you it takes me too

When you change colours, I'll change mine too

Try not to think and I will try too

When you let go, I will let go too

Any of you that have had the great good fortune to watch Sherlock, don't tell me anything about it! Got it? I have been a good girl and have managed to avoid spoilers for the most part. I like to be surprised. :) When I do watch it, though, there will probably be spoilers all over my blog. I don't like keeping secrets. *Shrugs*

Talk to you all later!

God Bless!
Amy

This post doesn't have a proper name

Do you ever read other people's blogs and think, "Gosh, they are so together and funny and dedicated! I will be better about my own blog." And then a week and a half slides by and you remember, "Oh yes. I have a blog. I should probably write something." And after some deep  thought and careful work hasty typing, post a random something.

That is me.

Oh, you've noticed? Well, what would you like to see on my blog? Anything in particular? Come on, you can tell me. I don't bite. :)

Basically, I've been pretty busy with life in general the last few months and I put blogging on the back burner. And yeah, I'm still pretty busy with life in general, but I want to bring a little interest back to my corner of cyber space.

I'm thinking of doing a 'song of the week' thing. I don't know if anybody really wants to know what music or lyrics are making me happy, but music and lyrics do make me happy. Plus it's something I can do without too much work and it will help me to do at least a post a week.
I'm aiming for a solid two posts a week here. *Snorts delicately*

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So, if there's anything you'd like to see here let me know. Photography, music, baking, book reviews...
We don't want all my genius to go to waste over here, do we? *Grin*


Well, with all that heartfelt stuff off my chest, I'm going to proceed with a few things I've been up to lately.

1.) I did a great, brave thing and signed up for a 'Beginning Recording' class at my local community college. I've been interested in audio recording for a while and this is the first time I've seen the college offer a class on it. So on a wave of "New Year, New Goals" ambition, I registered. I'm two classes in and I'm both glad I'm taking it because I clearly know nothing about recording, and terrified because I clearly know nothing about recording.
I was thinking more soundboards, mixers and mics and less hertz, decibels and frequencies. But I suppose one needs to know those things to use mixers and mics.

2.) I got season 7 of Psych for Christmas and enjoyed it muchly. Yes, after all the waiting and waiting and waiting, I proceeded to watch the entire season in about two and a half weeks. *Smiles sheepishly* I've been sick with the world's nasty cold and watching Psych made me feel better.
The first half of the season isn't as clean as the other seasons have been. Nothing horrible, more just conversations that I didn't like and a couple awkward things. But the second half was much better and I loved it. Shawn and Gus never fail to make me laugh.

3.) I haven't made any New Years resolutions as of yet. Ever since New Years, I've been sick and tired and not feeling very resolution-y. But today I'm almost myself again and I think I might sit myself down, mull things over with myself, give myself a few pep-talks and write down some things I'd like to accomplish this year. I don't want to waste a perfectly good year like Harry. Besides, I really like resolutions. And lists. And the word 'myself,' Apparently.

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4.) I am very impatiently counting down the days to Sherlock Season 3. I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT IT! Nothing but caps lock can get across the shear magnitude of my excitement. SO EXCITED! I am sort of planning on doing a Sherlock-themed something for that day. Sherlock food. And tea, obviously. Apples with IOU carved into them? *Snicker* Fish fingers custard--oh wait. Wrong show.
Perhaps I shall just throw a High Tea and have all sorts of British finger food.
 Any way you look at it, the Premiere is a big deal and should be duly honored. All in favor say "Aye"!

Tally-ho. Now that I've got this post all done I can relax and go do other things. Like study about hertz and frequencies. Yay. 


God Bless!
Amy

Waiting for the Wisemen.

I'm back!

I'm  happy to report that I am feeling much better than I was on New Years. *Dances*
I was so ill. It was very unpleasant. *Eyes Harry the Happy New Year nervously* Hopefully that will be the last cold of the season. It was icky.

But hey-ho, enough about me. Let's move on, shall we?

I'm looking forward to Monday so much. It's the Feast of the Epiphany, you guys!

"What is the Epiphany?" you ask. *Straightens spectacles*

It's the feast of the Three Kings--the Wisemen. This feast is when they found the Baby Jesus and offered Him their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
It's a beautiful feast and I think it's rather a shame that it sort of gets lumped in with Christmas Day and a bit overlooked.

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The twelve days of Christmas are traditionally the days from Christmas to the Epiphany, and not the twelve days before Christmas as so many people think. 
It's sort of the last hurrah of the Christmas season and it's very fun to make it a special day. Seriously, who needs more of an excuse to have one last Christmas celebration?

We have a tradition in my family of putting aside one present each on Christmas to be saved until the Epiphany. The tradition started years ago when I was just a baby. My Grandpa pasted away before Christmas, and my Mom flew back to be with her family...and missed Christmas at home.

So Dad had all the kids set aside one present to be opened when Mom got back. Thus began our tradition of saving a present Christmas morning and leaving it under the tree for the twelve days of Christmas.

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It's a sad way for a tradition to have started, I guess, but it's very special for us and it's something I want to pass down when I have a family of my own. It keeps anticipation and excitement alive and gives, the little kids especially, something to look forward to later.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'm pretty thrilled myself. *Grin*

I'm still mulling over what I want to make for dessert. I'm thinking it will be chocolaty. Or maybe almond-y. Or it could be lemon-y? Hmmmm.

Oh, and maybe I'll make some sugar cookies, shaped like stars...
Leave it to me to jump straight to dessert. *Snicker*

I might make bruschetta as an hors d'oeuvres. Bruschetta is delicious.

Now I feel like I want a little snack. I must stop talking about food. :)

I've never seen this picture before and I just think it's so lovely.

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Everything about it is beautiful. I love St. Joseph at the door and the glimpse of Mary and Baby Jesus behind him. *Sigh*

We three kings of Orient are 

Bearing gifts we traveled so far. 

Field and fountain, moor and mountain, 

Following yonder star.

O star of wonder, star of might, 

Star with royal beauty bright, 

Westward leading, still proceeding, 

Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Do any of you celebrate the Epiphany? Are you going to start now? You know you want to. Eheheheh (in true Tom Hiddleston style)

At any rate, it's the weekend and I'm going to settle down with my book and some hot chocolate. Or a TV show and some hot chocolate. I haven't decided yet. It's such a pleasant quandary to find oneself in. How to solve it? Read first, watch telly after!
I am a great problem solver.

God Bless!
Amy