Sunshine Blogger Award... Again :)

Yes, I know I've done this tag before. But I have taken it up again, from Lucy Agnes, Anna R., and the Miss Hope, so there. And thank you to all three of those lovely ladies for tagging me. ;) And... I'll get right to it without another bit of chatter.

These are the rules for it:
Thank whoever tagged you with a link back to her blog.
Answer the eleven questions given from the person who nominated you.
Tag eleven more bloggers and give them eleven questions.
List the rules and display the award.
So, I'll get right to the lovely questions from Lucy now. :) After that I shall tackle Miss Hope's (Anna's will then be taken after that, phew!).
Favorite old tv show?
Haha, my favorite tv show period is an old tv show. It's the lovely old comedy called I Love Lucy. :) I love that show soooooo much. And if anybody's asking, I am almost always on Ricky's side in their arguments. LOVE LOVE LOVE RICKY. Ricky is my favorite... He's just an amazing Cuban-accented, slightly sarcastic, scheming and clever, handsome show business husband. And that is a recipe for a Belle love if ever I've heard one. ;) The entire show is funny too, not just Ricky. I sometimes find myself oddly identifying with Ethel Murtz, Lucy's best friend (I am often dragged into harebrained schemes by my own nutcase best friend, like Ethel). And as much of a nut as Lucy is, I still love her (after all, it is I Love Lucy!). ;) And Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are so cute together in it. And Desi Jr., aka Little Ricky, is one of the cutest kids ever.

A movie you watched again and again and again as a kid?
Um... There were a lot. However, I'll do a very Belle-ish thing and shock everybody with my most beloved movie as a kid. ;) My favorite movie as a kid was not Scooby Doo, or Barbie, or any cartoon, even though I watched them much as well. It was an old musical movie called Royal Wedding, that starred Fred Astaire (shockers!) and Jane Powell (and if I have not mentioned it before on this blog, I am like the biggest Fred Astaire lover in the world). It's one of Fred Astaire's more obscure movies, which is unusual, since it's actually in color, and has a fairly well-known actress starring with him. It also has the loveable Peter Lawford acting in it for a lovely bit of variety. :) I have been watching it from childhood, even before I knew the beloved name of Fred Astaire, but was only watching him cluelessly. One of my favorite things to watch ever, even from the earliest days, has been the part in Royal Wedding where Fred Astaire dances on the ceiling of his room. I love that scene soo much... :)

Pet peeve as a reader?
When people cut sentences short and clip scenes that you need thought for. I hate having a tiny excuse for a two-sentence paragraph when you should have a whole soliloquy for what's going on in the character's head. But, unfortunately, such is the trademark of modern writing.
Pet peeve in real life?
When someone thoughtlessly and rudely tells you to stop singing. Especially when you were trying to get chores done. I mean, seriously, is it reasonable to ask someone to do chores and not be allowed to sing while doing so?! ;)
Fictional death you cried over?
Oh... so many... Well, there's Robin Hood, King Arthur, Gawain, Prince Rhun from The Prydain Chronicles, Boromir from LotR, Vernon Castle from The Story Of Vernon And Irene Castle (which isn't really fictional actually, I suppose), Kit's father in the 2015 Cinderella, Violetta from the opera, La Traviata (The Fallen Woman), Marcellus and Diana from The Robe, etc., etc. A lot of deaths... ;)

The death of Violetta Valery from La Traviata. Only wish I could've found a picture of the version with Frank Lapardo.

A book you wouldn't mind getting zapped into?
Um, let's say Pride And Prejudice. I frankly would love to try my luck with Mr. Bingley (would say Darcy, as I like him better, but I fear it would be a tad more difficult). :P ;)
A book you definitely would mind getting zapped into?
Harry Potter. If anyone even thinks for one second that I'd like to be in the chaotic world of Harry Potter, then that party needs to think again. :)
What font do you generally use when writing stories?
Um, I just use the default font. Unless I'm writing poetry, in which case I use Lucida Handwriting.
Something you dislike simply out of obstinacy?
Well, rather hilariously, I have the same answer as Miss Lucy. Divergent is something I know very little about, but I refuse to like it because it is an extremely popular thing. And also Hunger Games too, even though I do know a bit about that.
Favorite thing about Easter?
I don't know!!! I love the awesome special vestments the priest wears for the Easter Mass. And I love the special choral hymns for Easter. And I love the whole Easter octave! And I love the vigil! I just love Easter! :D
Number one place you would like to visit one day?
Um, I'm gonna have to agree with Lucy, and say Rome, Italy. ;)
Alrighty, now for Miss Hope's questions. :)
What is the craziest dessert you have ever had or wanted? I mean craziest! The whole works!
Um, probably this s'mores-bar thing my crazy dessert-experimenter sister made that was really good. It was marshmallow melted over two stack graham crackers, then covered in chocolate and frozen. It was sooo good... I just wanna fall into a chocolate coma even thinking about it...
Who do you admire, and why?
I very much admire G. K. Chesterton. He was a brilliant, and yet child-like mind in a world that needed his warm-hearted logic. I truly wish I could have met him.
What toppings do you take on your pizza?
Um, call me crazy, but I just like an ordinary cheese pizza, thanks. :)

What is your least favorite movie/book/tv show?
Movie: possibly Brave. Also possibly Frozen. It might be a tie. Actually, I take that back. Even those two abominations pale in comparison to the movie Cats Don't Dance. That was... The most horrible cartoon experience I've ever had. And a mocking of my beloved Fred Astaire with a dumb cartoon ginger tabby. I'm only listing my least fav cartoon movie because usually when I don't like a non-animated movie, it's because there's something distasteful in it rather than merely being not my cup of tea. My least favorite book might have to be Dandelion Wine, by Ray Bradbury. That was the most boring, depressing, irrelevant book I've ever read, and I suggest you stay out of a forty mile radius of it. As for a tv show, I might say the new Scooby Doo episodes. What a destruction of an age-old beloved legacy. Plus they kinda adult-ified the series, which was originally supposed to be for kids.
If you could change into any kind of animal, which one would it be and why?
Probably a cat... Because cats are awesome. ;) And that's a very well-thought out reason, just so ya know, haha. :P
What is one thing you can’t live without that is not a piece of technology?
I'm agreeing with Lucy Agnes about soap, but since she said it already... Well, I would find it extremely difficult to go anywhere without an escort. Yes, I said an escort. ;) But my escorts are all gentlemen of the ink-and-paper type. When hiking or going to a park, I take the notebook containing my book, Alomina, so Percy can be my escort. When visiting a friend or relative's house, I take another notebook, for In Greater Hands, and have Vance and Bertie as my escorts. When going on vacation, I use Blakely (from Alagna) as my escort. When in the car, Errius is my ideal escort. And recently, I have a new escort too, but I'm keeping him a secret for now. Basically, I couldn't live without a notebook containing at least one of my precious ink-and-paper people. I cannot live without them! :P

Which famous person or celebrity would you never want to meet?
Um, most celebrities. But Oscar Wilde particularly. He was a scary young man, even if he converted on his death-bed.
You get to spend the afternoon with your favorite human being from history. Who is this person and what do you guys/gals do for the afternoon?
Um, I'm going to keep religious figures out of it, because two people already said Jesus and Mary, and after that, there are far too many saints I would wish to meet. Perhaps Fred Astaire? He always seemed like such an amazingly nice guy, and he would be somebody that wouldn't overwhelm me with their super-historic-awesomeness.
What were your top three favorite childhood tv shows?
1. Scooby Doo.
2. The Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh.
3. Blue's Clues (I actually watched Backyardigans more, I'm embarrassed to say, but I liked Blue's Clues better because Steve = awesome... and funny). ;)

Narnia or Middle earth?
Duh! Middle Earth by 100%. :)
How do you take your coffee or tea?
While I hate tea, I absolutely love coffee. And I take it with a ton of creamer, except in the case that there is no creamer, in which case I take it with half & half and sugar. I like my coffee sweet. :)
Now I can finally get to Anna's questions. Phew! :P
What is your favorite pastime besides writing and reading?
Singing! I am an amateur singer, and am trying to get better. I am a newbie cantor in a church choir, and a previous performer at nursing homes (mostly caroling or Christmas concerts). I also enjoy playing piano.
In LotR, Aragorn or Legolas?
LEGOLAS!!!!! WHO CARES ABOUT ARAGORN WHEN LEGOLAS IS HERE!!! ORLANDO BLOOM!!! YEAH!!!! (btw, I am aware that about the whole world is disagreeing with me on that question and glaring at me for it, lol). ;)

What is your MTBI personality type?
Um, I don't remember what it's called, but it's the same one as Robert Downey Jr. (Grrr!)
Who would you say is the worst villain of all time?
Ever seen the old Skydancers show? It's from the 80's, but I loved watching it back when it was Netflix. However, it has the #1 absolutely least respectable villain in any show of ever in it. And he looks like a fat, striped strawberry. However, since probably nobody here has seen the show, I will say Iron Man in Captain America: Civil War. Haha, and yes, I do consider him the villain in that. For goodness sakes, it's Cap's movie, and he wasn't doing anything wrong! Whereas Iron Man made a lot of mistakes that had bad results, and was (thoughtlessly) antagonizing both Cap and Bucky, which makes him the antagonist in the movie.
If you could go into one book and live the entire story for yourself (either as main character, sub character, or bystander), which would you choose?
Um, I would live as Ani (the MC) from The Goose Girl. She gets to do a lot of cool things... except, she also gets stabbed. Twice. And kidnapped a few times. And almost bitten. And almost stuck into a barrel full of nails pulled by wild horses. But, all the same, her reward at the end would be all worth it. Spoilers... ;)

What is one of your favorite quotes?
"A true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him"
- G. K. Chesterton-
As  military kid, this quote is especially meaningful to me, because it's another reminder of the reasons when, say, my dad gets deployed, or we have to move to another military base.
Would you rather have a griffin, a dragon, a wolf, or an owl for a pet? Why?
Um, providing it were tame, a wolf. Wolves are really cool, and then I would feel like Snake Eyes, with his wolf, Timber (there's a nerdy old G. I. Joe show reference to any dorks out there who love 80's cartoons).

What are your top three most favorite fandoms in the whole world?
1. Il Divo (a.k.a., the biggest obsession Belle has ever had in her life).
2. Opera.
3. Broadway.
I'll say two more, though, because I kinda cheated with Il Divo, because they're kinda Broadway and Opera in one.
4. Old b&w movies.
5. LotR.

The splendiferous Il Divo.

When you first get a story idea in your head, does it start with the characters, the plot, or the theme?
The characters. You always start with the characters. I found out the hard way. When you start out with the theme, then the characters end up - however colorful - all blending into the same mold; whatever one fits the theme. When you start out with the plot, the characters end up bland and stereotypical (especially in action-filled or fantasy stories). And the characters are the most important part of the story. Without them, there wouldn't be a story. And even the blandest plot can be interesting if the characters are good enough. Even the best plot cannot make up for unlovable, unrelatable characters. You start with characters, then plot, and theme comes as the story goes on. At least in my own process. :)
What is your decorating style? (floral, antique, modern, beachy, rustic, etc.)
Antique. Incredibly antique. Like Romantic period. Well, that's how it is ideally, but I find I have a mix of just about everything in my room. Elvis calendar, pink walls, Tangled bedspread, 1949 model poster, a pirate drawing by me, two Batman wall-art things, an antique mirror, a half-finished painting of a butterfly (by my mother), etc., etc. I have a very eclectic room, but ideally my taste is very old and classical (I want to get an Il Divo poster, though, so maybe it's not all old even in my head). ;)

If you were one of the four elements, which would you be? And why?
Haha, I actually took a quiz for which one I was, and I was water. Probably because I am fairly easy-going, but still somewhat reclusive. I'm not sure how the quiz determined it, though. :P
Phew! I answered all the questions! :D That took a while. Now, to tag my successors in this tag:
Blue
Anna D.
Kayla Marie
Anyone else in need of a lovely little tag to brighten their day. :)
And here are their questions to answer:
1. Of awesome friends in fiction, do you prefer Legolas and Gimli, Holmes and Watson, or Robin Hood and Little John?
2. Of awesome romances in fiction, do you prefer Eowyn and Faramir, Taran and Eilonwy (of The Prydain Chronicles), or Marguerite and Percy Blakeny (of The Scarlet Pimpernel)?
3. Of awesome solo characters in fiction, do you prefer Bilbo Baggins, Hercule Poirot (of Agatha Christie's mysteries by the same name), or Long John Silver (of Treasure Island)?
4. What country would you never want to visit in any time period?
5. What country would you definitely want to visit in any time period?
6. In fiction, do you prefer romance, friendship, or family bonds as a theme?
7. Your standard tv shows to watch are most similar to Doctor Who, Poirot Mysteries, or I Love Lucy?
8. Your standard book to read is most similar to War Of The Worlds, Harry Potter, or Pride And Prejudice?
9. Do you take coffee over chocolate, or vice-versa?
10. What was the dumbest, but most fun thing you've ever done?
11. Are you a daytime person, or are you more nocturnal?
That's all for now, but I'll come back soon with more tags. :)
What did you think? Did you agree with my answers? Do you like the questions I assigned? By the by, did I mention that I just won Camp NaNoWriMo (and that I will be posting some of it soon)? :D I am also back, and will start getting to the loads of overdue posts that have piled up through April. :P Did you do Camp NaNo? Were you crazy, and still blogging during it? Do have a chat with me! :D 

Infinity Dreams Award

Bongiornio, comrades! I hope you guys are in the mood for another tag, because they're flooding in as though my blog were an Il Divo concert. :) Ahem... Anyways, as I was saying, I hope you're in the mood for a tag, because I've got another one. And I assure you, I have at least two others to get to as well in their good time soon enough. But this particular tag is called The Infinity Dreams Award, and I was tagged for it by the splendiferous, amazing, absolutely stupendous tag-pelter, Miss Lucy Agnes. ;)

So, there we have the little emblem for this thingy. And my lovely technical terms. :) Anyways, the rules of the tag are as follows:
Thank the blogger who tagged you (already did it!).
Answer eleven questions from tagger.
Give eleven facts about yourself.
Set eleven questions.
Tag eleven bloggers to answer those questions and do the same.
Alrighty, since I have done the former, I shall set onto the next rule... Lucy's questions...
What's your dream travel destination?
Uh, Rome! Rome, Rome, Rome! There are no words to express how I wish to see it! :D So, seeing as even I cannot rant on long enough to elaborate this feeling, I shall move onto the next question.
If you could change your own name, would you? To what?
At one point, I would have said yes wholeheartedly. There was a point when I hated my name. But, now... Well, let me put it this way. Even being named after one of the greatest historical figures of all time, I liked my name, but never really cared a whole lot. Then, I hear the Il Divo song Isabel. Well, after I heard David Miller of Il Divo say my name (kind-of) I could never hear it the same way again. So, I would never in a million years change my name. Plus I have the same name as a cool Disney princess. ;)
Would you rather be a giant or an elf?
Um, I can see too many complications arising from being a giant, setting aside the fact that elves are supremely awesome. So, definitely an elf.
If you could master any language instantly, what would it be?
Probably Italian. It's such a lovely, musical-sounding language! :) Besides, if I knew it, then I could understand more of the words to opera arias. Actually... on second thought... maybe that wouldn't be such a good idea... :P
Tell us a little bit about historical figures/stories you find mesmerizing.
Oh, why, Lucy? Why do you have to keep telling me to do hard things? There are waaaaaay too many historical stories and figures that interest me to mention here. But, I did always love that one story about the Roman officer right before a naval battle. The people onboard told him not to go to battle because the 'sacred' chickens weren't eating (which apparently was a sign of bad luck). But, he got very angry, and decided to go to war all the same, throwing the chickens over the side of the ship, and saying "Well, if they shall not eat, then let them drink!". Haha... I always loved that story. It's very hilariously ironic. And what makes it even more ironic is that he lost that battle afterwards. :)
If you had to choose a spouse from fiction, who would you choose?
Oh, again Lucy?! Really, Luce, you're trying to kill me off or something, asking me to decide things like this. I think I might go well with Robin Hood. I can see myself fretting over some injury he got, and him just laughing it off. Or me sighing because he did something sweet and heroic but highly dangerous... Yeah, I can also see myself with Will Turner of Pirates. At least I would treat him far better than dummy Elizabeth Swann does (come to me, Will, just leave that dumbo!). Actually, though, perhaps most of all, I could see myself with Prince Gwydion of the Prydain Chronicles. My semi-vivacious character would contrast and complement very well his slightly more quiet nature. Yes, I think Gwydion would do nicely! :)
Say the White Witch is about to cast a spell over your country. She lets you decide what season it shall be eternally. What do you choose?
Autumn. Definitely autumn. It's the most beautiful, most pleasant, most thrilling season. I love the autumn. Definitely my favorite.

What's one thing you hope to accomplish before you die?
Getting all my books finished and published, I guess. I would absolutely love that. And I would also love the make a career in music and acting (Broadway particularly). And I would also, perhaps most of all, love to become influential in apologetics. Not as a career, but writing books on it, and speaking every so often to defend my faith. That would be amazing, to know I'm doing something that will make a difference.
What's your taste in books like when it comes to reading? Writing?
Oh, oh, oh! Lucy, you may get complaints in the comments from people who didn't want  me to rant forever. ;) Because that is one of my favorite subjects to talk about. Reading - I love classics (particularly Little Women, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Robin Hood by H. Pyle). I love historical fiction (particularly Outlaws Of Ravenhurst, Rolf And The Viking Bow, and the idea of Enemy Brothers, a book I'm about to read). I love certain types of fantasy (particularly The Hobbit, The Horse And His Boy, and The Goose Girl). Writing - I love poeticisms. Anything beautiful is what I try to incorporate into my writing. I try to capture beauty and virtue as well as I can, so that readers have something to look up to in the book and its characters. I also try to display art, like wit and  structure. But, most of all, I try to incorporate hope. I  follow the classical style of writing in most things but this. I never liked reading a book that was depressing, or had an ending that made you incredibly sad. So I try to give hope and happiness to my books. Even at every dark moment, there has to be some element of hope, or else your reader will commit suicide before they finish the book. And that would not be good. :)
What's your favorite song?
Well... My dear friend Anna D. will probably not like this, but my favorite song is most likely On The Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady. Although I also love the song More by Andy Williams. It is the love-theme for one of my book characters, Prince Blakely. And I do love the song Angelina by Il Divo (yes, I had to get an Il Divo song in there, didn't I?).
What book would you recommend to any random person on the street?
The Scarlet Pimpernel! I think everybody in the world should read that book at some point in their lives (preferably as soon as possible). Anyone who has not read that book is missing a piece of their hearts until they do. Nobody can even vaguely know me without knowing my love of that book and its beauty, its depth, its hope, its analogy, its writing, its characters... Uh, I better stop or I'll be here all day. ;)
Anyways, those were Miss Lucy's fabulous questions. So, onto the next adventure! Eleven facts about yours truly...
1. I am probably the biggest, most obsessive Il Divo fan of ever (or at least on of them). Il Divo is just so brilliant.

Not my image. 

2. (also associated with the Divos) I notice the weirdest things about Il Divo. Including the fact that David Miller, the American member (far left), is not only the best member, but also is a foot or so taller than all the other members. And he likes to untie his bowtie during concerts. And that only the Swiss member, Urs Buhler (far right), ever keeps his bowtie pristine the whole way through concerts. But, anyways, like I said, I notice some very obscure things when I have a hobby or love. :)

3. I have always been an ardent defender of fairy-tales. I am always infuriated by how people say they're cleche (agh, I said the word!); they're anti-women; they're oppressive; they're ridiculous; they're provocative to violent ideas; etc, etc. I hate that. It's soooooooo wrong! And I will defend fairy-tales to the end of my living days. Here is a very good post by Lucy that explains a portion of my feelings on the matter.

4. I am a theatre-maniac. I am oh so obsessed with acting and musicals. I love Shakespeare and opera, of course, but when it comes to Broadway especially, I just go nuts. I love musicals.

5. I like to quote obscure things to people who have no idea what I'm talking about. I have actually done it a few times on this blog even. But no one notices. But, that's what makes the joke so great, is that no one else knows it's there. Hehehehehe....

6. All my favorite actors and actresses are either dead or over 70 years old. Errol Flynn, Grace Kelly, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford, Lucille Ball, Ricardo Montelban, Bing Crosby... You know what I mean? No? Hmm.... Maybe I'm a bit unusual...Why is the greatest age of acting gone?!

7. I like Josh Groban music, despite the fact that no one else in the universe seems to. I am told by his bio and online information that he is very popular, but what I have seen seems otherwise. Almost everybody I have met dislikes or doesn't care about him, even though he's so good. Why is everybody cruel to my poor obscure loves?!

8. My favorite movie of all time is The Robe, 1953, with Richard Burton and Jean Simmons. After that, I have trouble deciding.

Not my image. My favorite picture of Marcellus and Diana of The Robe that there is.

9. As I have said, Il Divo is my favorite band, but I do like Josh Groban also. However, despite my liking Il Divo three times as much, I have four Josh Groban albums and no Il Divo at all. :(

10. I am a Catholic Christian, and quite proud of it.

11. I associate the song You'll Never Walk Alone with the doctrine of Communion Of Saints. But I still think that's somewhat logical. Aww! Last one?! I was having fun... Oh well...

Well, here's the questions, though they're not so good as Lucy's ones.

1. Do you listen to opera? What is the best operatic aria you've ever heard?

2. Do you prefer casual dress, like a t-shirt and jeans, or evening dress, like a gown or tux?

3. Are you athletically-inclined? To what sport or exercise?

4. Who, in you opinion, is the best actor of today? Best actress?

5. Do you enjoy dancing? Watching other people dance?

6. Supposing, as in the previous question, you do enjoy dancing, what's your favorite type?

7. What is your favorite theatre play (I am asking specifically musical-wise, but if you are not a Broadway person, than you are free to answer an Opera or Shakespeare)?

8. What nationality, besides that which you are, would you have most preferred to be?

9. If you had to make up a new name for yourself to use forever instead of your real name, what would it be?

10. Are you more a writer or a reader? Both perhaps?

11. What's the most re-readable book you've ever read?

Not my image.

And here are the bloggers tagged:

Keturah

 Aidyl

Rosalina

Anyways, that'll be all. I'm afraid it's time to say goodbye. Btw, anyone who is smart enough to check out that link to an Il Divo cover of Time To Say Goodbye is definitely my friend. ;) But, like I was going to say, goodbye! :)

What did you think of this tag? Were any of you disappointed to find that this was not the surprise-containing writing post? Do you think that I only became a blogger to display pictures of and talk about Il Divo (If so, perhaps you're right!)? Did I miss anyone on the tagging? If so, feel free to join! :)