Piano Covers

So, this is something that maybe probably sort of likely will happen. I've considered taking videos of me (well, my hands) playing songs on the piano, and then posting them to this blog. What do you guys think? It would be pretty rare, since my camera might not work, and the sound quality could be bad, but it's a though.

If I do post videos, the first one is likely to be "On My Own" from Les Miserables. And maybe "God Help the Outcasts" as a second?

PLEASE tell me what you think and any song recommendations (I have Les Miz, Phantom, Disney, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Love Never Dies, and lots more). I have mostly musical songs, but also some very well known songs, so leave some ideas! Thank you!

My Latest Obsession

 *Deep-breath* My name is Hermione Thérnadier, and I am a binge-watcher.

*Collective gasp*

Yes, it's true. I could watch a whole season of a TV show on Netflix in one sitting. It started with Doctor Who, then Sherlock, and now we have my latest obsession for binge-watching: Supernatural.
I first heard about it through a friend who I have to thank for my Whovian-ness, and then my sister got hooked, and now me.

Supernatural is about two brothers who, after losing their mother to a demon of the younger brother's six-month birthday, are raised by their dad to hunt monsters. The two brothers are Sam (Jared Padeleki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles). But it's sort of annoying, seeing as Jared, who plays Sam, also played Dean from Gilmore Girls. I got used to it eventually.

Anyway, while Dean is outgoing and more of the party type, Sam is the kind who would be sitting in the corner of a room at some huge party reading a book, or observing--the wallflower type. The show centers around the brothers' hunts for monsters, and the demon that killed their mother.

I L-O-V-E (why does spelling it add emphasis) this show, and I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't scare easy :P.

<3,
Hermione T.

To Be Read List

Immediately
A Study in Scarlet, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Les Misérables Volumes IV&V, Victor Hugo

Soon
The Fault in our Stars, John Green
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Within the Year
Emma, Jane Austen
The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Yeah...went to the bookstore and got a Sherlock Holmes collection :P.

My Ideal Eponine

Okay. This post may be very long and rant-y, (and watch out for spoilers) so, if you are curious to hear what I have to say on the topic of "My Ideal Eponine," I suggest you get comfortable with some limeade and a pudding cup or two or three or eighty-seven.

Alright. Deep breath. Aaaannnnnddd.

For those of you who don't know, I am currently reading Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. As of today, I am currently on Book Eighth of Volume III: Marius, after completing the prior two Volumes (Volume II was awful, just saying). The past few chapters have rather excited me because Eponine has now been introduced (the older Eponine, not the bratty, spoiled little one who was introduced way back in Volume I). Reading about her, as she enters Marius' apartment, sent by her father to ask for money, as she shows off to Marius that she can read and write, and as she states how handsome she believes him to be, triggered this question for me:

What, taking both the book and musical into account, do I expect in my ideal Eponine?

And here we go.
I feel I can make my point by looking at the much-loved Eponine solo "On My Own." "On my own, pretending he's beside me/all alone I walk with him till morning," etc., etc. I ask myself (and perhaps you might ask yourself this, too) What is Eponine feeling at this moment? For many, it is sadness. For some, it is frusturation, For me? Bitterness.

I've never thought of Eponine as one to pity herself. Rather, I feel she would feel bitterness and resentment towards herself, her parents, and even Marius.
Well why Marius? Doesn't she love him?
Of course. But at this point in her life, Eponine is confused. She is feeling this unbearable pain at Marius' love for Cosette, which makes her resent Marius. Why is he doing this to her? Eponine pushes her feelings of love aside until (SPOILER ALERT) her death, when she takes a bullet for him by putting her hand  in front of a gun aimed at Marius.

A part of "On My Own" around the climax of the song says, "Without me his world will go on turning/A world that's full of happiness that I have never know". There are a good deal of people who enjoy this sung through a face full of tears. That's okay. But personally, I believe that Eponine is stronger than that and should sing those words like they're poisonous.. She's gone through life trying to keep her head up while she's stuck in almost literally Hell (pardon). "Her name was Eponine/Her life was cold and dark yet she was unafraid", anyone? I feel like Eponine's big question in "On My Own" is pretty much "What is wrong with Marius? Why do I feel this way?" but most of all "What is happening?" She's confused. Bitter. Resentful. And that is my ideal Eponine.

The Barricades (OHMYGOSH)

Okay, so, my sister pointed this out to me, and I just HAD to share it with you guys!

In the movie, when you see the barricade, there are two coffins: A regular-sized red one, and a small blue one. I made this picture to help you guys see this:

Okay, let's see. Who died at the barricade wearing red?

And who dies at the barricade wearing blue who would fit into that blue coffin?

My work here is done.

Happy Fourth!

Happy Fourth of July!

(Yeah, the highlighted text looks weird but the white wouldn't show up [obvious reasons] and I couldn't change the color 'cause Blogger's being mean :( )

Yup, it's my (our, if you live in the US) country's birthday! So, happy birthday, United States of America!

To those of you who are also American citizens, are you doing anything fun to celebrate Independence Day? Leave your response in the comments below!

See you soon,
Hermione

The Stimulation of my Mind that Always Occurs at the Wrong Time

Lately, I've been facing a dilemma.

Sleep.

It's not that I haven't been getting enough of it, what with being able to sleep in for another two weeks until camp, but when I lay down in my bed, I like to drift off gracefully.

But my mind has another idea.

Me: Okay, well I think I'm just going to sleep now. let my mind be filled with thoughts of unicorns and marshmallow fields with candy mushrooms.

Mind: Haha, nope.

Me: Excuse me?

Mind: Hey, remember that time you fell down the hill dressed as Batman?

Me: *blushing shamefully* Yes, that was a week ago--

Mind: I think I'm going to make every single part of your body itch insanely right now! 'Kay?

Me: Wh--

Mind: Hey remember each and every single humiliating and dreadful thing that ever happened to you?

Me: Kill me.

Mind: Sleeping on this side is boring! Let's sleep on your other side! Or maybe your back? Facedown? Spread eagle?

Me: Okay, let's just--

Mind: OHMYGOSHWASTHATLIGHTNING?! Hey, what are you going to wear tomorrow? Did you remember to turn off the basement light? Let's reenact the final battle of Les Miz right now! Maybe one day you'll be on Broadway! Hahahahaha, no. Quick! Side change! Flip! Nah, let's go back. Hey, remember when you ran into a wall. Of course you do! You run into them all the time! Hey, I just remembered another embarrassing thing that's happened to you! You want to think about it all night? Okay!

Me:

Me:

Me:

Me:

Me: What. Just. Happened.

And after that excruciating process that lasts MUCH longer that it may seem from above, I finally drift off peacefully.

The End.

(P.S. One more thing! If you'd like to submit a guest post remember to email me at hermionegranger2121@gmail.com! this will be running until September 1st. More information can be found here: http://everythinghermione.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-shiny-new-guest-post.html)

Hogwarts Survival Guide

I was thinking--a dangerous and frightening human past-time--about that poor, unfortunate Muggle who received my Hogwarts letter by mistake and is now stumbling around Hogwarts, failing all his classes, and bringing shame to his family.
Ouch.
I decided to take pity on this poor soul and help him through his challenging times, and give him this handy Hogwarts survival guide. Let's begin.

Rule #1:

When summoned to the Headmaster's office, please DO NOT ARGUE with Snape's portrait.

Ooh, look it's Snape! I think I'll make a bunch of Lily references in front of him because he's a portrait! He can't do anything!

Just. No. Please.

I understand that maybe you'd like to see Snape's sentimental side for yourself, but PLEASE FOR MERLIN'S SAKE JUST DON'T!

Rule #2:

Unless speaking to Mr. Weasley, please refrain from excessive explanations of the function of rubber ducks.

Why? Well--

I'm sorry.

Rule #3:

Do not show any wizards who are not Muggle-borns or of any relation to Muggles the Harry Potter books.

You will cause all of this paranoia and then we will have to question the universe and our purpose in life and all that good stuff.

Rule #4:

When meeting any HP character from the books, please do not pounce on them and rip up their hair and/or clothing.

We just can't deal with the lawsuits anymore. Trust me I know from my near 10 years in Azkaban experience.

Rule #5:

That's it.

So, enjoy your time at Hogwarts, I guess. And I forgive you for the letter mix-up. Sort of. A little. Not that much. Not a bit. Absolutely not.

Mischief Managed!

~Hermione