I need a hero

I think I need to apologise before I start this blog, for being an absolutely terrible person and seriously slacking on writing. Sorry - don't hate me! I am back, but am going to limit myself to about a post per week just so I can actually do my uni work...


Ok, so the other day I was talking with my housemates about who our childhood hero's were - you know what I am on about, right? Those people from your childhood who inspired you and who basically shaped you in to the person you are now. And all that shit. We had the weirdest spectrum of answers come up from footballers to the likes of fictional characters. It got to me and I think I had some sort of panic because there are two people who I literally owe my life to. It sort of dawned on me that there was no way in hell that I could pick between the two, so I got all shitty and stuck with two of them.

These two for me are JK Rowling and Walt Disney.

Now before you get all worked up and say that they are quite childish people to have, then listen up, folks. I'm going to tell you why. 

First of all let me start with JK Rowling. 

I have come to the conclusion that without the Harry Potter books I would never have gotten so in to reading which lead to me loving writing, which in turn created this blog. I mean can you imagine what sort of mess I would be without this space to spill everything in to? The Harry Potter series literally made me realise what I like to do - says the girl who is studying nothing like writing.... 

I think that the Harry Potter books sort of provided an escape from everything that was happening in the world, and let me delve in to my own little fantasy world that it just so happened I shared with millions of people around the world. Trying to explain this sort of thing to someone who doesn't enjoy reading is so frustrating as I literally cannot comprehend how someone can't get stuck in to a book if they find the right one. 

My Grampy used to go to the midnight launch of the books and get me one of the first copies and trundle on over to my house to make sure I had it for the next day. If I hadn't finished it in about 30 hours then everyone would be shocked. Although they did think that they would be funny and grab me a copy of the last book but withhold it from me until we got on holiday. Let me stress that this was to Florida which is a 10 hour flight....I almost went insane knowing that it was on the plane but I couldn't quite get my hands on it. I then sat down by the pool and read the entire thing cover to cover in one sitting. 

The thing about the series is that the books are so cleverly written that there are underlying plots weaving in and out of the main and obvious one. No matter how many times you read the books you can still pick out little details from them that you didn't quite see before. Sometimes I would pick the same things up but look at them in a completely different light. I have now read each book about 10 times each and yet I cannot find myself getting bored of them. 

The books offer you something that the films do not - the depth and attachment of the characters. A fair amount of my friends don't enjoy reading and just went to watch the films at the cinema. This frustrates me sooooo much as the films miss out about 80% of the things that are written in the books - pretty sure I have done a post on that before...You can tell out of my friends who has read the books by how much they like Snape. People who have read them will know what I mean!

Long story short, these books gave me a place to escape to that was safe from everything else that I couldn't find anywhere else. I am so sure that I owe my life to JK Rowling for keeping me sane and alive throughout the last 10 or so years. Without these books I would probably not be sat here typing this.


Moving on now to Walt Disney.

For anyone who knows me, you will know how much I absolutely adore anything Disney. I mean absolutely love it. I have been to Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Paris so many times that I couldn't count them if I had an extra set of hands. They really are the places where dreams come true. Now then, future person who might somehow want to marry me: propose in Disney or Harry Potter world and you are getting a guaranteed "yes"! 

Similarly to the Harry Potter books, anything Disney related offers that sense of escapism into a fantasy world but in a slightly different manner to that of the Wizarding World. Disney sort of portrays this sense that no matter what happens there will be a Happily Ever After. I mean take it or leave it, but I still love it; no matter how false this sort of true love shit is, it's still there in fiction. 

Also without Walt Disney, Disney World would not exist and I would be stuck on where to go for my holiday. I have an eternal love for Disney World. If you haven't been there then you are missing out. I actually went there for my 18th birthday 2 years ago (which was the 9th time I have visited there). I am now going back for 6 weeks in 2015 - 3 weeks with friends, and 3 weeks with my family. You can imagine how absolutely buzzing I am for this. Especially because none of my friends have been there, so I get to be all excited like them...we are buying Mouse Ears. It is happening. 

I think the sense of magic plays a role in both Disney and Harry Potter in the sense that it is almost like anything is possible. Yes it seems childish, and yes I probably shouldn't fall in to the fiction trap, but I love it. Even just walking in to Magic Kingdom and seeing Cinderella's Castle in front of you...it is literally like you have been transported in to another world. The same applies for Harry Potter world in Islands of Adventure. I think I need to do a post about that....

I am actually finding it hard to put in to words what Disney means to me. Many people think that Disney is aimed more towards children, but I challenge you to go back and watch an older classic Disney film and see how your perspective alters to that of when you were a child. I mean there are some crazily dirty remarks throughout every single film, but also some really good advice. I do still prefer the classic films to those that have been released recently, but nothing will ever top Finding Nemo. I do have a post coming out at the weekend about the best moments in Disney history, so stay tuned for that.


I am not sure what the aim of this post was to be perfectly honest...just felt like I needed to share this with you.

I want to hear about who your childhood hero's were. Were they actual people like mine? Or were they a fictional character?

As always thank you for reading, and I will speak to you next time!

Toodle-oo!

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Lets talk about....Harry Potter

Hello there, buddies!

Well as ITV is currently hosting Harry Potter season and yesterday they showed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, I thought we could have a chat about that! I am ever so slightly obsessed with Harry Potter - it took up like 90% of my life when I was younger! I used to go to the midnight release of the books and have read most of it by the next day. I love it so much that I cried when it all ended. I streamed the live premiere of the last film, and cried some more, and I went to the midnight showing of most the films. You are dealing with a true Potterhead here.

So I thought that we could talk all about it! This little chatty section will include things from my opinions on characters, the plot, the books V the films, my favourite quotes and whatnot. This will be a really long post I think. So go and grab yourself a cup of tea and some munchies and sit back and relax!

THERE WILL BE SPOILERS IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOKS.

Characters

Lets first talk about Severus Snape. 

Snape is my favourite character of all time in both the books and movies. I have a lot of love for Snape. He protected Harry throughout the entire series and I think he says some of the best things ever. Just the fact he is so sarcastic half the time. I think his death was the most emotional in the entire series - I cried like a baby, no joke. It was a definite emotional moment. Anyone who says Snape is bad is just wrong. I am sorry but he is not bad at all. To make things better, he was  Slytherin like me!

Now lets address Albus Dumbledore.

You are all going to hate me now...I dislike Dumbledore. A lot. Yes he might be the greatest wizard bla bla bla, but he is a dickhead! He kept Harry alive simply to make sure he died when it suited him. How is that fair on Harry? He also ends up getting him in shit like every single year. I will admit, he is a wise old man and says some very interesting and true stuff, but I still don't like him. I dunno, I can't put it in to words. Sorry if you love Dumbledore, but look in to it and I bet you will find a teeny bit of dislike.

Now lets talk about Sirius Black.

Sirius Black is another one of my favourite characters. His death was another emotional moment - when he falls back in to the veil...OMG. Siruis' Animagus form is also pretty cool, you have to admit. He is the only remaining relative of Harry's, even though this is not through blood, and he is the only one ever really there for Harry. Plus he is one of the creators of the Marauders Map (Padfoot) so you know he is just awesome. He was also the first person ever to escape Azkaban...so yeah.

Now we have Dobby the House Elf.

I am sorry, but Dobby is the cutest thing I have ever seen in my entire life. Look at his dressed in his pillow cover with his big eyes...awww. Dobby's death was another emotional one I have to say...He was always there to protect Harry and died protecting him, even though Harry made him promise to never try to save him again. So cute. It was also Dobby who gave Harry the gillyweed in the Triwizard Tournament (Neville gave it to him in the films - this is incorrect). Dobby will always be a free elf.

Now we come to the star of the show, Harry Potter.

I have to say, Harry is a bit of an idiot really isn't he? Don't get me wrong, I love him and he is a very brave person, but he gets himself into a pickle at the same time every single year...I wonder if people go to Hogwarts wondering what shit Harry will get in to this time? Although he is pretty awesome as he is known as the only Master of Death having managed to unite each of the three Deathly Hallows. There are some pretty awesome quotes that Harry chucks our way though, aren't there? I do feel for him though.

The there is the awesomeness called Neville Longbottom.

Well Neville sort of made one hell of a transformation, didn't he? He went from this little nerdy kid to one hell of a gorgeous man! And he is a bit of a hero isn't he with all that stuff with the bridge (even if that isn't in the books). He is a bit of a smart cookie, too. If I was a witch I would be making a beeline for him....yum. I kind of love the fact that his boggart is Snape, too. That is highly amusing!

Then there is the Dark Lord himself, Voldemort/Tom Riddle.

Here is a fun fact about Voldemort for you...Contrary to what the films say, the "t" in Voldemort is silent and is actually from the French "vol de mort" which means "flight of death"...interesting! Now I am rather impressed with the depiction of Voldemort in the films, but they miss the back story about him from the movies which kind of explains about the Horcruxes...so if you were left a bit baffled about it...read the fucking books. 

Books Vs Films

I am a firm believer in reading a book before seeing the film adaptation. Although the adaptations were quite good, nothing will ever beat the books I am afraid. I saw someone on Tumblr the other day say this: "Why are there only 7 books but 8 films? How fucking lazy must the author be if they only wanted to write 7 books about the films" ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! This person should be thrown off the planet. 

In my opinion, the film adaptation of the Goblet of Fire was the best one I think. It had pretty much every element of the book in it and didn't miss anything out really. I don't know about you, but I thought this one was done pretty well. The best bit being in the graveyard where Voldemort comes back. I think the maze bit was so well done! The special effects etc were awesome. 

Then we have the adaptation of the Order of the Phoenix. I am unhappy with this completely. I think this was the most poorly done film out of the lot as it missed about 80% of the book out. I think this film should have been done in two parts, or extended considering it is the shortest of all the films, but the biggest book...fail logic. I won't go in to what was missed out etc. because that will be discussed a little further on. Long story short, there were so many things in this film that were just introduced without the explanation about them e.g. the mirror given to Harry by Sirius where people who had not read the books would be completely baffled by. I just think more attention to detail could have been shown here.

Then there is the Deathly Hallows. Even though this was split in to two parts and had most of the elements from the books in it, I still didn't really like the movies. Yeah sure, there was a lot of action and stuff, but there were some important things missed out (will be mentioned further along, so keep reading) and there were some things that were altered. I think the best thing to come out of the Deathly Hallows movies is the animated story telling of the 3 brothers. I found this really good to watch and loved how it was animated using what looked like paper puppets/that sort of thing. I also didn't like the way the movie "killed" Voldemort as he just flutters away but that is not how it is described in the book...What are your thoughts on the Deathly Hallows?

Things that were missed out

There are so many things from the book series that were completely overlooked in the movies. I am simply going to bullet point these as there are loads that I have come across. This is in no way a complete list, but a few that I picked out.

• Peeves the Poltergeist 
• The Philosopher's Stone potions challenge
• Detail about Tonks' and Lupin's child
• Voldemort's family history
• Bill and Charlie Weasley
• S.P.E.W
• The death of Peter Pettigrew
• Details on the Marauders/who they were/what it meant
• Detail on the Half Blood Prince
• The taboo on the name of Voldemort in DH
• Detail on squibs/what they are
• Significant quidditch matches
• Winky the house elf
• Pensieve scenes
• What a Metamorphmagus is
• The link of the Black's with the locket
• Ron being chosen as a prefect over Harry
• St Mungo's visit - seeing Arthur Weasley/Lockhart/Neville's parents
• Occlumency lessons resulting from the St Mungo's visit
• The Weasley's dislike for Fleur - calling her "Phlegm"
• Appiration lessons by the Ministry in Hogwarts 
• Harry and Ginny's kiss in front of Ron after a quidditch match that was missed out
• Dumbledore's funeral/Ginny and Harry breaking up
• Who the Carrows were
• The Elder Wand - Harry does not snap it in half, he uses it to repair his own wand then puts it back in Dumbledore's tomb as when Harry dies its power will be broken

Well they are a few things I picked out as being the most important details from the book that were missed out. I think there was a significant lack of quidditch matches in the movies, which means a lot of important events were missed out. Some of these events e.g. Ginny and Harry kissing would have made amusing viewing, too! 

My favourite quotes

I thought I would share with you some of my favourite quotes from the books and films! Some of these would make awesome tattoos, too....

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light"

- Albus Dumbledore

"Always"

- Severus Snape

"Wit beyond measure is a mans greatest treasure"

- Rowena Ravenclaw

"Dobby didn't mean to kill, only to maim or seriously injure"

- Dobby the House Elf

"Dobby is a free elf!"

- Dobby the House Elf

"It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live"

- Albus Dumbledore

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good"

- Harry Potter

"'yer a wizard, Harry"

- Rubeus Hagrid  

"There will come a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right"

- Albus Dumbledore

"It's levi-oh-sar, not levio-sar"

- Hermione Granger 

"We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are"

- Sirius Black

"Not my daughter, you bitch!"

- Molly Weasley

"I've always wanted to use that spell"

- Minerva McGonagall 

My wizard information

Well if you are a true Potterhead like I am, then you will already have been aware of Pottermore! If not, click here and register!

When you join Pottermore you get to experience everything from the sorting ceremony to choosing your own wand! So I thought I could tell you about my wizard information from Pottermore, and also by using Harry Potter Wikia!

I am a proud member of Slytherin!

I started Hogwarts in May 2012!

This is my wand:

My blood status is Muggle-born.

My boggart is a clown.

My patronus is an elephant calf.

Ok I am going to stop geeking out now....

I am going to challenge you to complete your wizard profile! Comment them below using this template:

Name:

House:

Date started: 

Wand length:

Wand wood:

Wand core:

Wand flexibility:

Blood status:

Boggart:

Patronus:

So if you have read this far then you get a prize of a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans for being simply awesome. If you complete the challenge above I might enter all the people (if I get any) into some sort of give away or prize-related thing....not sure what yet but it is worth a shot.

That is all for today, folks. If you enjoyed this post then don't forget to hit "Join This Site" at the top which would make me really happy!

Toodle-oo!

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22 fictional deaths I will never get over

Have you ever got so attached to a character that you see in a film or on TV, or even a book character that you get so upset when they die? Well I have experienced this SO MANY TIMES.

Many of these fictional deaths actually moved me to tears (don't judge me) because they are so sad!

If you have not experienced this yet then you haven't ever gotten in to something so much that you feel for the characters (technical terms....character empathy, look at that!). 

I have chosen 22 of the characters that have been killed or have died that I will never, ever, ever get over. They are in no particular order and I believe the saddest one is a lot further in than number one!

Please be warned: there may be spoilers in here for people who have not seen some of the things, so please don't get mad at me!


1. Mufasa - The Lion King

How sad is this? *sobs uncontrollably*. Mufasa is killed by his own brother who then send Simba down there. "Wake up, dad". Gah, so sad. If you are saying that you didn't tear up at this well then you are just lying. This is the saddest moment in any Disney movie ever.

2. Dumbledore - Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I have to say, I was in two minds about adding Dumbledore. He is not my favourite Harry Potter character, but his death was sad, especially in the books. By far, it is not the saddest death of all the Harry Potter characters, but it is up there. I found this considerably more moving in the books (maybe because you didn't know the back story to him), therefore this is referring to the book death, not the movie death.

3. Dobby - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I bawled like a baby when Dobby died, in both the book and the film adaptation. This has to be one of the saddest deaths in the Harry Potter series. Poor little, Dobby :( He did not mean to kill, only to maim or seriously injure. Oh so sad *sniffle*. At least Dobby is now a free elf.

4. Hedwig - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Another Harry Potter death, I know. But how sad is it that Hedwig protects Harry?! Such a loyal little owl. I did cry when Hedwig died, shockingly I found this a lot more sad in the movie version. RIP Hedwig <3

5. Rue - The Hunger Games

The saddest death in the series I think. It is so sad how Katniss sings to her and decorates her body with the flowers. Oh, little Rue. I genuinely have a strong hatred for the characters who killed her (yes, I am serious. I have a hatred for fictional people). 

6. Coral - Finding Nemo

Coral dies to protect her little babies - how sad is that? This scene does make me tear up a little bit. Just how her eyes flick from the fish to the eggs and back again before she darts down to them. Gah. 

7. Marley - Marley and Me

The saddest fictional death of all time. I sob uncontrollably every time I watch this film. Poor little, Marley :( Never have I been as attached to a fictional character as I was with Marley. If you say that you don't cry at this scene then you are either a liar or you have no heart.

8. Ellie - Up

This has to be the saddest death in Disney history. There are absolutely no words in the scene showing Carl and Ellie's relationship yet it still moves so many people to tears. Still a better love story than Twilight.

9. Siruis Black - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Another one of the saddest deaths in Harry Potter. Sirius was all Harry had left of his family and the stupid people kill him. Oh stupid veil, why would you do that?! Come back, Sirius :(

10. Severus Snape - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

We have reached the saddest death in Harry Potter history. Snape is my all time favourite character ever and I love him lots, still to this day. The thing that makes this scene even sadder is the montage of his memories Harry collects from his tears after. Right in the feels.

11. Noah and Allie - The Notebook

This really does hit right in the feels. So sad that he has been reading her the story of their love all throughout and she only realises it is him right at the end. Then they die together. OMG :(

12. Jenny - Forrest Gump

I hate the fact that it is an unknown virus that kills her. Poor Forrest. This scene is so sad because he just stands at her grave. Genuinely love Forrest Gump so much.

13. Agent Coulson - Avengers Assemble

Agent Coulson was my favourite character, how dare Loki kill him! Does he not have a heart?! His dying words....gah the feels. 

14. Bubba - Forrest Gump

After babbling on about how he wants to go into the shrimp business after the war, Bubba dies in the arms of Forrest. SO SO SO SAD. Then Forrest starts the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in memory of him (you can visit this in Universal Studios Orlando).

15. Satine - Moulin Rouge

Yes, you see it coming, no it doesn't make it any less emotional. Despite the whole come what may thing, this still hits me every time! Ewan McGreggor's rendition of the song at this point is so sad, too!

16. Gaston - Beauty and the Beast

Yes, I will not get over the death of a Disney villain. How can you not love Gaston? He was so funny! And for him to get chucked over the edge of a castle.....really, Disney, really?

17. Kerchak - Tarzan

Just as him and Tarzan see eye to eye, he gets killed. Another WTF moment here, Disney. Why would you do that to him?! He wasn't a bad guy, he didn't deserve to die!!

18. Raj - 90210

The saddest moment in 90210 history. Raj has cancer and him and Ivy get married to mean that they get to spend their last days together. Then Raj takes a large concoction of pills in the hospital after saying he doesn't want to suffer and put Ivy through it. This really killed me when I watched it; I didn't want him to die!

19. Mike Delfino - Desperate Housewives

Mike was killed in a rive by shooting after finally opening up to Susan. HOW HORRIBLE IS THAT?! Why would you do that, Desperate Housewives?! He was one of my favourite characters. WHYYYYYY?!

20. Karen McCluskey - Desperate Housewives

Karen McCluskey died after she had a battle with cancer. Although she was not my favourite character in Desperate Housewives, I will never ever ever ever ever get over her death. It was so beyond emotional :(

21. Maude Flanders - The Simpsons

Was this not the saddest and most unexpected Simpsons death of all time? I genuinely shouted "no!" and the TV when it happened! I genuinely never expected this! Then the series of episodes that follow it are equally as sad.

22. Piggy - The Lord of the Flies

I studied this book for my GCSE many moons ago, and developed a strong sense of protection over little Piggy! He was so bullied by everyone, and the fact that they kill him is so sad (and made me very angry at the other characters!).

Well, that is my 22 fictional deaths that I will never get over. I hope this post didn't arouse too many bad memories for you (it did for me)!

Post below in the comments if there are any fictional deaths you will never get over, I know there are loads out there!

If you liked this post, then do please click "join this site" on the top left and do all the following on the right - it would mean a lot to me!

That's all for today, folks, tune back in tomorrow to see what I have in store!

Toodle-oo, peeps!

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