In the summer, readers run away from blogs like swimmers running out of the water away from the shark in Jaws (We’re going to need a bigger blog).
So what do you do in a blogging slump? Post more? Less? Write longer or shorter posts? Add more pictures of cats? More tweets, likes…eat more chocolate? Or just accept it and take a break for the rest of the summer? Acceptance is such a strange thing, isn’t it? It can be positive – you accept a gift, get accepted into a club, accept an award, or it can become something you feel forced to do, such as compliance or acquiescence.
I accept The Imitation Game was a brilliant film starring Benedict Cumberbatch (who apparently can’t be anything but astonishing) about WWII. I don’t accept it’s completely factual, clearly they took certain liberties such as Cumberbatch portraying Turing as though he had Asperger’s Syndrome. I don’t know if that’s Hollywood pretending everyone who’s a genius has Autism, or because they wanted Cumberbatch to play Turing more like Sherlock.
Joan Clarke (played with dazzling brilliance by Kiera Knightley) wasn’t recruited by Turing, crossword puzzle or otherwise, but was engaged to him.
They did concede Turning’s machine was based on a Polish cryptologic machine (the Polish broke the Enigma code years before), but that he’d built a better, faster machine for the more sophisticated code.
This is Hollywood. They add drama.
Unlike previous films about the Enigma code, this film didn’t cause international snits like U-571, or put us to sleep like Enigma (despite a stunning performance by Kate Winslet, wait, wasn’t she in another famous historically inaccurate film, something about a ship?).
I don’t take umbrage to movies that play with history. Most of history is changeable, written by the victors and those who want to cast themselves in a positive light. I read history books and watch documentaries, but even those should be taken with a grain of salt. Movies, TV shows, and books, even those based on real-life people and events, those are for entertainment.
This delightful movie wasn’t actually about the war or codes, it was about acceptance. Alan Turing was a gifted mathematician and cryptographer and yet, in the end, it didn’t matter if he saved millions of lives or gave us the basis for modern computers, it mattered that he was gay. He was only 41 when he committed suicide after being forced to endure chemical castration. His future work, his life, all lost because no one could accept he wasn’t their definition of ‘normal’.
Fear and discrimination are the real enemies. People refusing to accept the differences of others. Differences should be encouraged, supported, celebrated. Different isn’t less, most often, it’s more.
As for the blogging, who knows, maybe this is a good excuse to write that book I’ve been putting off.
So plan to be spontaneous today, here’s some, er, blogging advice to hold you over.
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2015/04/10/im-hooked-on-a-feeling/
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2015/03/26/why-i-will-never-be-freshly-pressed/
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2015/05/12/i-cant-make-you-love-me/
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2015/06/09/to-blog-or-not-to-blog/
And snap out of it, WordPress, you’re driving bloggers insane (perhaps a short drive, but still a waste of gas).
Anyway, this was rather delightful excuse to post lots of pictures of Benedict Cumberbatch. You’re welcome.
I am glad you filled me in with some of the flaws of an otherwise great movie. I have told many people the message is more than breaking the Enigma code. Also, love Kate Winslet and need to see the film you mentioned. Funny thing, I got on wordpress to write and get some angst out (a man) and I still don’t post pictures. I like pictures but 99% of my books I read have none. Lol! 🙂
There were even more, no Soviet spy, Turing said he didn’t understand German yet the real Turing studied German and visited Germany…but none of that makes for exciting entertainment, I guess.
Kate Winslet was amazing in the movie, she was the best part, well, as she often is. 🙂
Hope the angst is out now…sometimes words are enough. 🙂
History isn’t data retrieval but data interpretation 🙂
Excellent point. Exactly. 🙂
Thank you for the post – true, what do you do? Ours is the opposite (winter) so I am on the keyboard. I have no excuse, and yes, mmm, Benedict, more pictures please. I am a fan too. 🙂
As much as I was whining about the massive snow and cold, I’d take some cooling down right now. I’m glad you’re at your keyboard, for many reasons. 🙂
There can never be enough. 😉
🙂
🙂
Can’t lose with Cumberbatch. 😉
Not so far. 😉
I don’t have problems with too many pics of Bendedict Cumberbatch… 😉
Can there really be too many? 😉
Only too little… don’t you think…. those eyes…. hypnotising!!!
Yes, because he has Sectoral Heterochromia, his eyes change from blue to green depending on the light, it’s fascinating and may just be a genetic mutation, but he knows how to use them. 😉
Wow…! Yes, that is an explanation for that magic of his eyes.
Apparently a lot of celebrities have some form or another of this mutation…it must add to their mystique. 🙂
That can be part of their attraction indeed. I never recognized that.
I’m just guessing, but considering it’s fairly rare a lot of celebrities have some form of it.
I’ll keep an eye on them from now on… lol
I see what you did there. 😉
😉
🙂
Great analogy there Donna. If only we could a pet difference more readily, embrace it. One day perhaps…
We’ve come a long way, but have further to go, but someday perhaps. 🙂
fingers and toes crossed
Tricky, but yes. 😉
Ooooh, I haven’t seen that last picture before… Yum.
Donna, even without Benedict, I find it extremely difficult not to drop whatever I’m doing, and read your wonderful blog, the moment my email tells me you’ve posted. As always, this one is a treat. If you’re having a summer slump it hasn’t diminished your writing. Mega hugs my friend. <3 🙂
There were so many to choose from and all lovely, but that one struck my fancy. 🙂
Thank you so much, Teagan, you know I feel the same way about your posts. 🙂
Thank you kindly and I hope this day is good to you. Megahugs! 🙂
There’s something about the title of this post that makes me chuckle, but I can’t quite put my finger on what it is yet…
It’s come to you. 😉
Instead of posting pics of kittens during the summer, just post pics of Benedict Cumberbatch.
Guaranteed traffic increase!!
Don’t know about that, but it’s a lovely way to past the time. 😉
Hope this day treats you kindly. 🙂
Hah! Well, I guess misery lives company (as well as Benedict Cumberbatch). I’m so glad you posted this, actually. Because I was beginning to think it was ‘just me’. I mean, I started my blog last Fall, so wasn’t aware of there was a Summer Slump. At least now I know (!) My stats may suck, but I am not alone. And your post was (as usual) a treat to read (and look at). Thanks!
Summer is not kind to bloggers, but I thought the pictures might help. 😉
Do we have fewer readers during the summer? I guess I need to start paying attention! 🙂 And no, you can never have too many pictures of Benedict, or David Tennant, or David Duchovny 😀
Never… 😉
Hope this summer is being good to you, Kate and your fanny pack…your posts always delight. 🙂
Thanks Donna! 🙂 I plan to show some #bloglove later, I’ve been behind 🙂
Your #bloglove is always strong, Kate, we can feel it. 🙂
I have worked with brilliant men like Turing and it is true – people have the tendency to label their eccentric often anti-social behavior as autistic or whatever. Then it becomes easier to deride their accomplishments. Loved the movie (and yes, I am a big fan of Benedict!)
People love labels…on people and stuff.
It was quite good and he’s quite a delight. 😉
wait… my numbers are down because of the season? I thought you all just hated me… Yay! And; phew…
How could you think such a thing…now, WordPress, they seem to hate you, or maybe us, they didn’t include my pictures in the Reader either. 😉
They are trying to level the playing field…
WordPress, WordPress, we’re only trying for our personal best. 😉
well… some of us are…
Some…
yup
🙂
………..oooooooooooooooo00000000000
Following the o’s (that’s a lot of them). 😉
I have lots…
And lots and lots? 😉
ha
oh la la ha
good one
Thanks. 😉
no… thanks you…
k
I didn’t even spell thanks you right… ha
And I thought you were being clever. 😉
me? seriously?
Of course. 😉
wow
wow (I spelled what you wrote, but backwards – mind blown?). 😉
I might need to sit down… wait… I already am… what is going on>???
ha
ah
I see what you did there. 😉
I am tricky like that
You are.
I try
And here I was, hoping for more cats (or dogs, I’m not picky).
I figure other people are covering that, I felt Benedict was being neglected. 😉
Thanks for the overview and reason my visits are off. I thought it was my lousy writing and was good with that. Now I’ll have to try harder.
There ain’t no cure for the summertime blogging blues. 😉
Um Margarita does take the edge off though
Quite. 😉
Oh, now I’m going to be all worried about my readership numbers too.
No worries, like everything in life, there are ups and downs. You’re always thinking about numbers anyway. 😉
a margarita will fix that.
Or at least make us forget. 😉
Ha ha ha
🙂
Aw, I’m not always thinking about numbers. Sometimes I’m thinking about how to have anything worth posting in time.
lol 😉
You had me at “we’re going to need a bigger blog.” I LOL-ed (and I don’t do that for just anyone). Yeah, I loved The Imitation Game too, even though it played fast and loose with the facts. The great film director John Ford once said that whenever there’s a conflict between the truth and the legend, go with the legend–it makes a better story!
I had my Jaws thinking cap on. 😉
That’s an excellent quote, Ford was wise. If we’re looking for the truth, entertainment mediums probably aren’t the best place to look.
I found the statistic at the end of the film of all those imprisoned for being homosexual incredibly sad. We have come a long way but you’re right, the journey is far from over.
Yes, it’s so sad, all those people and their loved ones tossed aside because they conform to what people said was normal. I don’t get why people get so upset about who other people choose to be with.
I don’t either, love is love and it should not have to conform to some prescribed formula.
Well said. 🙂
I missed “The Imitation Game” but will definitely be renting it now. I think Benedict Cumberbatch is a fine actor. He was great as Kahn in the last Star Trek movie (dork alert). It seems you may be a bit smitten with him, and that’s sweet. 🙂
Though he was an awesome Khan, he brought a cool intensity to the role, although I still liked Ricardo Montalbán’s Khan (and of course, Fantasy Island).
Yes, smitten is a fine word, I am indeed. 🙂
I liked Ricardo’s a bit more as well.
He played it with more savagery, Cumberbatch was a more cosmopolitan Khan. 😉
Indeed. I enjoy a woman that speaks “geek”!
Been fluent in geek and nerd and Klingon from a very young age. 😉
That is the most beautiful thing….that I have ever read.
Thank you kindly. 🙂
Benedict yes, but the real star of the show today was David Tenant – yes he really is just that cool. LOVED The Imitation Game! Kept me from reading several blogs though. 🙂
He really is. I miss him as The Doctor and he needs to be in more movies and TV shows, like, all of them! 😉
Summer pulls us in so many different directions to begin with, we don’t need WordPress trying to chase us away. Great as always, Donna.
How very true. 🙂
Have a great week Donna.
Thank you kindly and you as well. 🙂
;o)
🙂
that quote about not hearing over the sound of awesome is awesome! 😉 i wish it was a poster. can it be a poster? 🙂
All David Tennant images should be posters, or billboards or whole sides of buildings, can we make that a thing, is there somewhere to petition? 😉
Lol. We could always start one somewhere. 🙂
We should, at least in our, er, hearts. 😉
Hope it’s okay that I put a link to this post in my post. The post I posted today. I think you liked it. But I should have asked you first! xoxo
No, it was awesome, thank you for including me. I enjoyed the post, it really got me thinking and remembering. Here it is for those who missed it, http://alicewhitmoresblog.com/everybody-into-the-gene-pool/
Hope this day treats you kindly. 🙂
Nice assortment of pictures! And yes, I think they wanted Turing to be more Sherlock…
I don’t blame them, Sherlock is mesmerizing. 😉
I have noticed a slowing down in (some) bloggers’ posts. Mine is health-related but summer can be a tough time to sit in. If it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. Rather, if it’s not the nice weather, it’s the kids. They want to go out. Anyway, have not seen these movies. *cringe* I know. I really must.
All around the world it’s different for everyone, my best idea is as long as we’re enjoying it, keep going. 🙂
There’s time enough and who can keep up, even if we want to. 🙂
I really loved this post as I enjoyed The Imitation Game and wondered what was true and what wasn’t.
They took liberties, but the message was still a good one. 🙂
You write so very well Donna 😀
I continued to post as usual, I think, with few exceptions in the Summer.
I don’t have a TV or watch movies any longer, many years ago 😉
Thank you kindly. 🙂
Yes, you remain quite steady. 🙂
We all like different things, isn’t that the best part of this sometimes wondrous but confusing world. 😉
Yes, it is. It would be boring if we had no differences 😉
Certainly would…maybe calmer, but… 😉
I love your blog so much, I always leave here laughing!
That makes me so happy to hear! 🙂
so true, D. You have a most uplifting blog and sense of humor, it is delightful. Thank you!
Thank you kindly, I hope this weekend is a good one for you and yours!!! 🙂
in a good way! <3
Even better. 😉
🙂
🙂
Great post and thanks for including my post link…as you can see, I’m playing catch-up. 😉
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
IMPRESSIVE USE OF STARS! 😀
lol Thank you kindly for the reblog, Jonathan, hope this day is being good to you. 🙂
Yes, loved the photos. I love watching anything with Benedict C in it, and I enjoyed this post! As far a summer-slow-blogging time. I blog the same, every Friday, and just enjoy being out there for whoever is not swimming in the ocean or hoeing in their garden. 🙂
I thought they might cheer everyone up. 😉
Blogging is such a different experience for everyone, so pleased to hear when it’s working. 🙂
So what do you do in a blogging slump? Post more? Less?
Just do it.
Yup, just keep doing what you feel comfortable doing. 🙂
¨Acceptance is such a strange thing, isn’t it? It can be positive – you accept a gift, get accepted into a club, accept an award, or it can become something you feel forced to do, such as compliance or acquiescence¨…
Oh those words are so well penned… I agree with you in many ways, Donna… 🌟★🌟
Thanks for the filmic tour… I guess spontaneity works very well for you!….
All my best wishes! Aquileana :star:
Thank you kindly, sweetie, best wishes to you as well, thanks so much for dropping by. 🙂
Reblogged this on ' Ace Social & Media News ' and commented:
Another #Donnamazing Post just keep on blogging 🌹
Thank you kindly for the reblog, Ian, yes, I’m going to keep on, just having trouble finding the time right now. 🙂
Thanks for the background to the Imitation Game. Loved the movie … Even with inaccuracies! Who care shine you can spend time looking at DC. He is so captivating.
And better than any cat 😉
He really is. 😉
P.s. Can’t believe apple wrote DC instead of BC. Apologies to fellow Benedict fans.
I just thought you were going with Darling Cumberbatch or Divine Cumberbatch, or Delicious, or Delightful. 😉
Divine and Delicious … 😉 Delightful Parker!
lol Thank you Val. 🙂
I loved The Imitation Game, granted I saw it on a plane, so probably lost parts of it due to distractions 🙂 I find the blogging slump occurs here in winter (now) and school holidays. Everyone disappears to warm weather and turns off computers. Probably should follow their example and get some sunshine myself!
lol That would be an interesting place to watch it. 😉
I think it varies for bloggers, their topics as well as their locations. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to drop by, hope this day (and sunshine) is treating you kindly. 🙂
I’m still considered somewhat of a blogging “newbie” (6 months with the “real” blog) but have actually seen more engagement and higher views/visitors with each post this summer. I don’t know if I can attribute it to anything other than being much more diligent about how I share via social media or that people like me, they really really like me 😉
Glad to hear it’s working out for you Beth. It’s nice to hear a summer blogging success story. 🙂
Hi Donna, I really like your blog for the clever and amusing posts you write. The quotes and movie references are really neat. I guess I don’t have to tell you all this. But I do want to show my appreciation therefore I nominate you to the Versatile Blogger Award. Silly award, sure, it could probably be a great topic for a post. But it is one way to say: “Hi, I think you are pretty cool”. Feel free to visit my blog to read more about it…
Congrats on your awards!!! All well-deserved!
Thank you for thinking of me, I’m truly touched and honoured. 🙂
Hope this day is treating you kindly. 🙂
Thank you Donna! I hope you have a nice day too 🙂
🙂
I normally cringe at puns but I have to give you credit for “We’re going to need a bigger blog”. I kind of loved it.
I blog just as much during the summer since I do al my blogging during the hours of down-time I get in the windowless office I work in.
Thanks. I love cheesy, so I admit, I go there often. 😉
I did more last summer, but I seem to be flagging this summer, so far.
I know this is heresy, but I’ve never really understood what everyone else sees in Benedict Cumberbatch. I thought Martin Freeman was by far the best thing in Sherlock. Into Darkness was dreadful on so many levels that I’ll admit that he was only bettered by Simon Pegg. Other than that I’ve not been inclined to watch anything that he’s been in.
In the UK we get him on radio plays a lot and he’s much more to my liking there. I was listening to one last night and enjoyed his performance.
I’ll prepare the boiling oil… 😉
I suppose that’s the wonderful thing, people liking different things and people, etc.
Martin Freeman is amazing, I still think his best part was in Love Actually, but he’s brilliant in Sherlock. 🙂
Hope this day treats you kindly. 🙂
Sometimes you can make me simmer, somehow, spontaneously, Donna … 🙂
Just as long as you don’t combust spontaneously. 😉
Yeah, I don’t want to be a hot head, Donna. 😮
You’re too nice for that. 🙂
Benedict and David Tenant on one blog ….Oh Yes !
Hope it wasn’t too overwhelming, those lovely men just need to be shared and often. 😉
Bring it on…..If the old ticker couldn’t take it ..then way to go 🙂
Might just be worth it. 😉
Oh Yes! 🙂
🙂
Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often and commented:
Do you like Benedict Cumberbatch? Well this post has some good thoughts and lots of photos of him!!
Thank you so much for the reblog. 🙂
Hope this day is treating you kindly. 🙂
It is and you are welcome!
Lovely to hear, on both counts. 🙂
I try to take movies as an inspiration to look up the real person. Most movies get it wrong about 80% of the time, but I probably never would have heard of Alan if I hadn’t seen the movie so it does serve some kind of purpose.
Thanks so much for posting this at the traffic jam weekend linky party.
Yes, I love movies but they’re adaptations or interpretations, but I love learning about the real thing as well. 🙂
Love #TrafficJamWeekend – what an awesome blast to the past! 🙂
It feels like we all fell down the rabbit hole
but it’s not nearly as fun or interesting as
Wonderland.
All the best and to better days ahead. 🙂