The Dauntless Damsels

This blog is dedicated to our fandom of the great Mark Ferguson and the great Ioan Gruffudd, our favorite actors. We will also post about the stories we are working on, our favorite books, authors, movies, music, and anything else we love and adore. Cheers!

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Location: United States

I'm also a usually quiet, reserved Lady, who enjoys books, tea, baking, and movies! I spend most of my time reading one of my favorite books or wishing I was reading my favorite books. My Grand Passion is history, particularly the Regency Period in England, when Jane Austen wrote, Lord Nelson defeated the French Fleet at Trafalgar, the Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon, and men were Gentlemen and women Ladies. I cherish the thought of being a Lady and love manners, being proper, and having proper tea. My favorite tea is Twinings, especially Earl Grey or Prince of Wales. My specialty to make is Scones with Devon Cream. I am a Catholic and a Conservative.

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Thursday, October 27, 2005

Letters, Letters, Letters

I found this to be a very interesting article. I love writing letters to people.

LiveScience: Einstein Managed His Inbox Just Like You---

If you're like Einstein, you respond to some emails immediately and let others wait. And, of course, some you never answer.

And every now and then, you find an old one in your inbox that you didn't even realize you had, and you reply.

A new study finds that the correspondence of Albert Einstein, as well as that of Charles Darwin, followed patterns similar to modern email communication.

Prolific writers

Einstein sent more than 14,500 letters. But he received more than 16,200, and responded to only a quarter of them. Darwin mailed more than 7,500 letters. He responded to 32 percent of the roughly 6,530 letters he received. [Chart]

Of course letter writing takes more time than email, but the mathematical relationship between quick replies and delayed responses was similar, explains João Gama Oliveira of the University of Aveiro in Portugal.

Of Einstein's responses, 53 percent were sent within 10 days. For Darwin, the figure was 63 percent. But now and then they replied months or years later. Einstein begins one reply by explaining that he's just discovered the senders letter of more than a year prior while sifting through "a mountain of correspondence."

"In both Darwin's and Einstein's correspondence and today's email we find that most responses take short time, but sometimes the responses take a very long time, Oliveira told LiveScience. "In other words, for both email and mail communication, the response times exist in a very broad range of values, and there is no typical response time for which we could say that all response times are around (and close to) that value."

Intellectual intercourse

The result suggests Darwin, who conceived the idea of natural selection in evolution, and Einstein, father of modern physics, must have prioritized their letter-writing, say Oliveira and his colleague, Albert-László Barabási of Harvard University.

"Their timely responses to most letters show that they were both aware of the importance of this intellectual intercourse," the Oliveira and Barabási write in the Oct. 27 issue of the journal Nature.

The upshot: Einstein and Darwin exhibited a "fundamental pattern of human dynamics" that plays out every morning when you check your inbox.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Harry v. Voldemort

I am so very excited that the 4th Harry Potter movie is only a few weeks away!

AP: Latest 'Harry' Features Voldemort Faceoff---

LONDON - In "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," the teenage wizard faces new terrors. A face-to-face encounter with his nemesis, the evil Lord Voldemort, for one. Girls, for another.

And, still fresh in the mind of 16-year-old star Daniel Radcliffe — ballroom dancing.

"I really wanted to be good at it," Radcliffe said of the scene in which Harry dances at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Yule Ball.

In the end, he said at a press conference Tuesday for the film, director Mike Newell "very kindly didn't show anything below my waist. You never see my feet move."

"Dan," said Newell affectionately, "is a kind of ballroom Everyman."

Radcliffe's down-to-earth charm is key to the success of the Potter films, which have become a lucrative franchise since "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" was released in 2001.

Radcliffe was 11 when he first wore Harry's trademark spectacles and lightning-shaped scar. Five years on, he's an assured and articulate actor who enthuses about his favorite bands — The Libertines, Hard-Fi and Louis XIV all get the nod — and gently coaxes his co-stars at the news conference.

Producers describe "Goblet of Fire" — released Nov. 18 — as the darkest Potter film yet. Harry must face a confrontation with Voldemort, the evil warlock who killed his parents and who returns to human form — in the shape of Ralph Fiennes — bent on destroying the young wizard.

Charting Harry's fourth year as a trainee wizard at Hogwarts, the film has plenty of magical set pieces to delight fans of J.K. Rowling's saga. There are airborne acrobatics at the Quidditch World Cup, and the Triwizard Tournament — a perilous contest that sees Harry face off against a fearsome Hungarian Horntail dragon.
---
British director Newell ("Four Weddings and Funeral," "Donnie Brasco") said he was nervous about condensing Rowling's 640-page book into his first Potter film.

"The book's as big as a house brick, and I was very unsure quite how one would attack it," said Newell, who follows American Chris Columbus and Mexican Alfonso Cuaron at the Potter helm.

One idea was to have to be split into two films. But Newell said he eventually found the key to the story — "it was a thriller."

"Voldemort and Ralph Fiennes were really in charge of events right from the very beginning, and only little by little did Harry catch up with what was happening to him, until it was too late and there he was facing the devil in a graveyard," Newell said. "As soon as I could see that, I felt that I could stay true to the book and at the same time keep the length down."
I hope he has stayed true to the book. The trailers I have seen look great!

Sunday, October 23, 2005

How about a cuppa?

Washington Post: Just Their Cup of Tea: British Cultivate Their Own---

TRURO, England -- Beyond the four-mile-long driveway, and the shaded path named "Lady's Walk" and the soft fields of purple rhododendron and grazing Holstein cows, Jonathan Jones walked among waist-high rows of rich green plants. With loving precision, he plucked off two perfect green leaves and a bud and held them proudly in his hand.

"English tea should be grown on English soil," he said, running his fingers over what he called a victory for horticulture and also for British culture: the first commercial crop of tea ever grown in this tea-mad nation.

Since the days of the British Empire, traders have been bringing tea home from India, China and other faraway lands where climate and labor costs allowed cultivation to thrive. The average person here still drinks at least two cups a day. But now, on a 670-year-old estate in southwest England, Jones and an aristocrat who counts Earl Grey as an ancestor are opening a new era in British tea production.

"It is rather nice to produce the very first locally grown cup of tea," said Evelyn Boscawen, a shy gardening enthusiast whose family has owned the vast Tregothnan estate for centuries. "It's fun, exciting, new."
---
While a relatively small crop of homegrown tea will hardly take over the huge market, "consumers will be intrigued," said William Gorman, executive director of the Tea Council, an independent group based in London dedicated to promoting tea. He noted that tea is serious business in Britain, where children grow up knowing the difference between a cream tea (a pot with a plate of scones, clotted cream and jam) and high tea (more of a meal).
---
But no matter what is going on elsewhere in the world, the British feel a deep cultural connection to tea. "It's a habitual comfort here," said Gorman, who calculates that Britain's 60 million people drink more tea than North America, Canada and continental Europe combined. "Drinking tea is like breathing."

Read the rest (and have a cup of tea).

(Cross-posted at A Lady's Ruminations)

Friday, October 21, 2005

Trafalgar 200

Today marks the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Horatio, Admiral Lord Nelson.

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Over at A Lady's Ruminations, you will find posts commemorating the day and the hero.

How Dare the British Have Won?
A Question About Trafalgar Square
Nelson Remembered
Extraordinary
News of Nelson
Quote of the Day
Nelson-Fever
Better to Fight
Nelson’s Prayer
The Battle of Trafalgar

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200 Years
Trafalgar 200 Schedule
An Appeal to Individual Valor
The Opposing Fleets at Noon
HMS Victory
Nelson Resources
England Expects
The Death of Nelson
After the Battle
Collingwood’s Dispatch
Nelson’s Titles
A Monument to a Hero
Nelson Remembered: 21 October 2005
A Toast to Nelson
Last Words
Quote of the Day

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Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Extraordinary!

One of my favorite historical figure is Horatio, Admiral Lord Nelson, hero of the Battle of Trafalgar, one of the greatest naval men of all time.

This coming Friday, 21 October, marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and of Nelson's death.

Now, England has acquired a series of letters written by an 11 year old midshipman, George James Perceval, who served aboard HMS Orion, and was present at Trafalgar.

How extraordinary!

According to the Times article:

In more than 40 letters, many written to Lord and Lady Arden, his parents in London, George painted a portrait of life aboard ship during the Trafalgar campaign, as well as the battle on October 21 and the death of Admiral Nelson.

In a letter dated October 13, he wrote to his mother: “I expect to come home to eat a Christmas Dinner with [you] if my head is not knocked of [sic] in any action.”

Nelson, he reported, had assured the fleet that “he will have a good bang at them”.

In his next letter, which is undated and whose scrawly handwriting suggests that it was written in a hurry, he gave an insight into the minds of the men who survived the battle that established British naval supremacy in Europe.

“I have as you wished been in one of the greatest actions that ever was fought,” he wrote, “ . . . but I am sorry to tell you that brave Admiral Nelson was killed by a musquet [sic] ball that went through his body.”

In another letter, he described his desire to “give [the enemy] a licking”, but there are also reminders that he was a young boy. On one page he drew a head for his mother to kiss “and think that it is my round face”.
Can you imagine being an 11 year old and witnessing one of the greatest naval battles ever . . . and living to tell about it?

Perceval not only lived, but went on to have a distinguished career in the English navy.

Perceval died in 1874 aged 79. His uncle was Spencer Perceval (1762-1812), the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated, and his father was a prominent politician with links to the Navy. George did not disappoint them. He rose to become an admiral in 1863. In 1840 he succeeded his father as 3rd Baron Arden and the following year became 6th Earl of Egmont on the death of a cousin. A selection of the letters will go on display from today in the museum’s Nelson and Napoleon exhibition, which will be free to Greenwich visitors over Trafalgar Weekend.
I do so wish I could visit the museum's display. I am so very jealous of anyone who is able to.

At least I can visit the museum's website: National Maritime Museum.

The Nelson and Napoleon Exhibit (To have just one hour to visit it!)

Trafalgar Weekend Celebrations (I wish I could be there!)

Previous Posts:
Nelson Remembered
A Question About Trafalgar Square
How Dare the British Have Won?

(Cross-posted at A Lady's Ruminations)

Saturday, October 15, 2005

This is so exciting!!!

IcWales: Ioan Gruffudd takes Burberry from Kate Moss---

IOAN GRUFFUDD has landed one of the most sought-after contracts in advertising.

The clean-living Welsh actor has been shooting a campaign for Burberry - just one month after the fashion house sensationally dropped Kate Moss for allegedly using illegal drugs.

It means the 32-year-old is likely to fast become one of the most familiar faces in the world, drawing on a lucrative contract which experts say could be worth millions.

Burberry, which recently revealed six-month global sales of £355m, is aiming for a change of image after the label let its stalwart supermodel Moss go after photographs of her appearing to snort cocaine at a recording studio were made public.

Advertising guru Robert Lloyd Griffiths says it's not just Gruffudd's good looks which have brought about his new five-to- seven-figure deal.

The marketing director at Leo Abse & Cohen in Cardiff said yesterday, "They would bring in someone like him for a bit of credibility and for the support from his fan base.

"If he's associated with being clean-cut, stylish, debonair, then people would make a link.

"People use a personality because they think that personality will best reflect the qualities of what's being sold and they complement the product.

"So they get someone who will be the best possible ambassador."

Burberry is also turning to the Welshman after reporting a slowdown.

This year's first-half trading report revealed a 3% rise in sales compared to a 14% surge last year.

This is thought to be due to a "soft" market in the UK, where it sells through stores such as Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, as well as at its own boutiques.

The clothing company, known for its trademark beige, black, red and white check, yesterday refused to reveal details of any upcoming campaign, but Cardiff-born Gruffudd's British agent confirmed the promotion deal.

And Gruffudd was spotted on a street in Knightsbridge this week with Mummy actress Rachel Weisz and world-famous photographer Mario Testino.

Weisz, who once shared an agent with Fantastic Four's Gruffudd in Los Angeles, was drafted in as the campaign's female face after the loss of Moss.

The 34-year-old dark-haired actress even has some modelling experience, albeit from 20 years ago.

Gruffudd is fairly new to the world of modelling and product endorsement, although he has posed for American Express promotions.

But the Titanic and 101 Dalmations star enjoyed lending his face to the new campaign. It is believed to be for a new fragrance.

His British agent Christian Hodell said yesterday, "He respected the people involved in it - Rachel Weisz, Burberry and Mario Testino who did the photo-graphs."

Ioan does appear to have all the necessary qualities.

Mr Lloyd Griffiths said, "He has done things like Hornblower, some good family entertainment, and obviously he's a hit with the ladies.

"He's clean-cut, stylish, smart and scandal free. He's A-plus grade star and international and Hollywood."

So what's a Hollywood face worth these days?

"It could be from the tens to the hundreds of thousands to the millions. It depends what he has to do."

And of course there's the non-financial gain.

"He's linking in with an iconic brand which historically has been synonymous with style, excellence and quality," said Mr Lloyd Griffiths.

"Which is probably the sort of thing he would like to be associated with himself."

And perhaps Ioan can do for Burberry what Brad Pitt has done for Tag Heuer.

The watch company was this summer voted one of the coolest brands in Britain alongside Ducati, Apple and Asahi beer.
My favorite actor!!!

Monday, October 10, 2005

The Fanlisting for England

If you are a fan of England, and have a blog or website, you might consider joining the Fanlisting for England. You can find it here.

They have all sorts of beautiful little buttoms to put on your blog/website. It was quite difficult to choose one.

You will also find a "More" page featuring a link to free e-mail accounts with "@englandrocks.zzn.com" for your address (you know, LadySiwan@englandrocks.zzn.com, if I made one), an England Pop Quiz, Songs and Sayings, and Links Around England.

I'm very excited to join!

I'll be Both!

I took it twice. :)

You Are A Pirate!
You Are A Pirate!


What Type Of Swashbuckler Are You?
brought to you by Maddog Varuka & Dawg Brown


You Are A Highwayman!
You Are A Highwayman!


What Type Of Swashbuckler Are You?
brought to you by Maddog Varuka & Dawg Brown

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Official HP Website Updated for GOF

The Official Harry Potter Movies Homepage has been updated to feature the Goblet of Fire, which comes out in the US on 18 November. You can visit it here. I am soooo very excited to see the 4th movie. It is only 40 days away, according to the countdown clock at Mugglenet.

They will be showing the movie at the IMAX, as well. Hooray!

Here is the official movie website.

Saintly Ioan!

icWales: Saintly Ioan will film in Westminster Abbey---

IT SEEMS that Ioan Gruffudd has pulled off a feat which even Hollywood heavyweight Tom Hanks couldn't manage - filming at Westminster Abbey.

The Welsh actor has been cast as William Wilberforce in his new movie Amazing Grace.

And the film's executives have reportedly been granted permission to film some of the scenes in Westminster Abbey, which is one of the nation's most hallowed spots.

The news will not go down well with the people behind next year's blockbuster, The Da Vinci Code, starring Hanks, as they were barred from filming at the Abbey.

Cardiff-born Gruffudd will start rehearsing his latest role next week before filming starts at the end of the month.

Amazing Grace has been written by Steven Knight and is said to be a compelling love story.

It follows the fortunes of the idealist William Wilberforce who manoeuvres his way through Parliament in 18th century-England, endeavouring to end slavery in the empire.

Directed by Michael Apted, the film tells how he met his wife and how the animal-lover and sometime singer effected great changes in the face of major resistance.

As Wilberforce is buried at the Abbey, some of the scenes are set to be filmed there.

But bosses at the Abbey have refused to let cameras for The Da Vinci Code roll within the grounds of the cathedral, as they disagreed with aspects of the best-selling novel by Dan Brown upon which the movie is based.

In the film, Hanks plays Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon who stumbles across an enigmatic riddle when he discovers the body of the curator of the Louvre, in Paris.

He later learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion - an actual secret society - who claim to know the secrets of the Holy Grail.

But the book has been criticised by religious groups and the Vatican said that it was full of "shameful and unfounded lies".

The book's central claim is that the Holy Grail is the bloodline descended from Jesus and Mary Magdalene, who were married and had a child.

It claims the church has suppressed this "truth" and has undermined the role of women in Christianity.

The author has claimed that the art, architecture, secret rituals and societies depicted in the novel are "historical fact".

But his claims have not gone down well with religious leaders and the film crew have been forced to shoot elsewhere.

But it seems that Amazing Grace has found favour with the Abbey's leaders.

Last night a spokesman for Westminster Abbey said they had no confirmation that Amazing Grace would be filmed at the cathedral.

Amazing Grace is the latest major movie to feature 32-year-old Gruffudd.

He was last seen on the big screen in the comic strip movie Fantastic Four in which he played the leading role of Mr Fantastic.

Since moving to Los Angeles, Gruffudd's Hollywood career has gone from strength to strength - he has also appeared in King Arthur alongside Keira Knightley.

He is enjoying life in the States and does not envisage returning to Wales in the near future.

"I went out [to Los Angeles] with the ambition of making movies, and they make more movies in Los Angeles," said Gruffudd, who was made a member of the Gorsedd of Bards at the 2003 National Eisteddfod.

"I want to work there as much as possible and be able to live there. I've fallen in love with living in LA.

"But as a Welshman I always have a hiraeth for Wales and home, although it's important to broaden your horizons and get out there and see the world and experience different cultures."
You can find information about the two movies (actors, directors, etc.), here.

I am so excited for Amazing Grace. It is such a beautiful story and there is no doubt Ioan Gruffudd will do an excellent job as William Wilberforce. I wonder if he will do any singing? He has a lovely voice.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Penblwydd Hapus to the Gorgeous Mr. Gruffudd!!!

Today is the 32nd birthday of my favorite actor, Ioan Gruffudd. Have a look at the birthday celebrations at Ioan Online. Ioan is Welsh and his name is pronounced "Yo-awn Griffith." You can hear him pronounce it at Ioan Online.


Ioan has starred in the marvelous Horatio Hornblower films, as Lancelot in King Arthur, as "Mr. Fantastic" in Fantastic Four, and will be seen next year in Amazing Grace as William Wilberforce, who converted to Evangelism and worked to end slavery in the British Empire.

He's an excellent actor and I highly recommend seeing his movies (and not just because I fancy him!).



Penblwydd Hapus, Ioan!
Happy Birthday, Ioan!



I wish you a wonderful day and a blessed year! God bless you!

Monday, October 03, 2005

On Your Birthday

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(Cross-posted at A Lady's Ruminations)

Sunday, October 02, 2005

Calling Cards

I have these little calling cards with my name on them (alright, they are leftovers from my high school graduation announcements---you know, those little ones with your name on them that you put into the announcement), which I love. They remind me of the calling cards Lords and Ladies would have used during the Regency.

I have been thinking about finding a little card case for them. It would be a lovely idea to put them in my purse. That way, if ever I have need of writing my address for friends, I have my little cards all ready.

I decided to do some research on the internet and came across this site, about calling cards and calling card etiquete. It's quite interesting, so I thought I would share it.

Now, I'm off to continue my search for a calling card case.