What I Like About You!

I recently noticed there is a pattern in what I find cute, thing I never noticed until now. I think there is some psychology going on here. So, here is my taste in guys.

1. Left-handed. I just noticed that left-handedness and being ambidextrous attract me. Maybe it's because I'm left-handed, myself. I have a calendar meant for lefties that has a fact that we tend to spot other lefties easily. Maybe that's it. But I never seem to really notice they're left-handed until they mention it. Maybe that's a thing with psychology; my mind knows they're left-handed but I never really think about it, maybe.
2. Beautiful, brown or blue eyes. I cannot resist beautiful eyes. You can be tall, you can be muscular. But I do not care about that. If you have eyes that look like the ocean or hot chocolate, I'm bound to stare at you for a very long time. Especially if they are extremely focused. I'm not saying you can't have a lazy eye, but I love it when people actually look me in the eye. Which is strange, coming from a girl who looks down... a lot.
3. Disnerds. This is the name of my lovely, Disney-loving fandom. You don't need to be obsessed... just highly, HIGHLY knowledgeable about Disney and not turned off when I talk about it too much. And like to watch the movies (so, if there is someone who needs an eye exam out there who likes me, you need to go on and catch up on the films you watched ten years ago!). If you don't like watching them with me, that is understandable... after all, I do speak every line and sing every song, which I can imagine is pretty annoying.
4. Balanced conversation participation. I like a guy who doesn't talk too much, but isn't afraid to cut me off when I get annoying. Which doesn't allow him to be rude, I just like a balanced conversation.
5. Similar beliefs, but not necessarily the exact same. This only really applies to relationships. Which I haven't been in, like, any yet and I don't think I will for a while.
6. Smiley. You don't have to smile every minute or be fake, I just love people who smile every now and then.
7. Emotionally stable. I am not saying it's wrong to be depressed, but if I were to date a guy who constantly needed someone around him to be happy, it wouldn't work because I can't do that.
8. Smart. Now, now, now. I will be honest here. I am not a straight A student. I am not a straight B student (but hey, no Ds or Fs have shown up on my report cards... then again, at my school a D is an F). However, I put so much effort into my work... you don't even know. Most people are surprised when they hear I've never had a 4.0 GPA or that I have only passed a few math quizzes and tests. Others automatically assume I'm stupid because I am a crazy child ("If there's a prize for rotten judgment, I guess I've already won that"). No one quite gets it right. But wouldn't I love a man who raises his hand in class, isn't afraid of being wrong, is completely confident, loves to help those struggling. Someone who isn't just academically smart (meaning if you have a lack of common sense, I won't like you).
9. Musical. I am obsessed with music, can't you tell? If I were to date a guy who wasn't big on it, couldn't play an instrument, or, must I say, didn't know what the musical Aida was (only the most amazing love triangle ever, without a need for Team Amneris and Team Aida... wouldn't make sense), it wouldn't last long! I like someone with an appreciation for music in all its forms--- especially Broadway!
10. Clean. I am not talking about showering, though that's preferred as well. I'm talking about language. Cuss words turn me off just. like. that. I like people who can express themselves without being censored.
11. Into writing. Boy, do I admire a writer! I love poets, but bloggers... oh yes.
12. Respects me. Those that know me know that some things I just don't tolerate. It really bothers me that even fellow black people use the word (I personally don't consider it a cuss word, but derogatory) "nigger" or "nigga" because of the past behind that word. When people who clearly know my hatred for that word say it, it gets on my nerves. I also hate when people point out my flaws. I don't like 'em either, you know and I would like it if you didn't go all Claude Frollo on me ("You are deformed and you are ugly...").
13. Cuddly. I like to hug people. While watching Disney movies, I love to cuddle but since I usually watch them alone, I end up getting all snuggly with pillows and my Mickey Mouse blanket. So, warning: I am cuddly.
14. Passionate. One male version of Lilo, coming right up.
15. Appreciation for gymnastics. I really like guys who are into the Olympics, and especially gymnastics. However, I am even more attracted to those who participated in gymnastics. And if they made it to a higher level than me? Frustrating but impressive.
16. Desire to see the world. I long to visit West, South... anywhere and everywhere in Africa. Explore my ancestors' homeland. I have never been so proud to be black, so much that I am not as offended as I used to be with the title, African-American. I am American first, no doubt about it. However, my heart is in Africa. In this way I relate to Jane Porter, because if I had the opportunity, I wouldn't be like, "I belong in England... with you, with people..." I'd be like, "BYE!" I want to go everywhere. Take me to Paris, to Egypt, to Zimbabwe, to freaking Canada for all I care. I just want someone who is looking for adventure.
17. Fun. One of the most important things is never growing up together.

Well, this is all it takes for me to like you. Unfortunately. Well, I have been working on this post since 8 a.m. this morning.

Hakuna matata,
Hope!

The Impossible Lion King Quiz

How well do you think you and/or your friends know the Lion King franchise? Do you think you can pass the unpassable? From one Disnerd to another, let's see if you know it well. If so, see how your peers can do without researching the answers! This is fun for a movie night... well, for me, it would be. So, what am I waiting for?
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1. Whose voice do we hear at the beginning of the movie in "Circle of Life?"

2. What is he saying? What is the chorus saying as well?

3. Where is this movie set? Specifically, where in Africa?

4. Who is the first major character we see and what is he/she doing?

5. What is the name of the queen of Pride Rock? Yes, this one's a freebie.

6. Can you list an animal native to Africa that we DO NOT see in the opening sequence?

7.  What is the first speaking line and who says it?

8. "He's as mad as a ... with a ..."

9. What movie was also being created around the time this was? Which was expected to be more successful?

10. What quality does Scar say he has the lion's share of?

11. What song is playing when it rains over the Pride Lands?

12.  Where do we first see Nala?

13. How is the circle of life connected?

14. What song was originally played in the Broadway production that was put into the special edition of the film?

15. Who voices Zazu?

16. Who voices Scar?

17. What is the name of Nala's mother? Hint: It's only found in the credits.

18. Who voices Simba's mom and why doesn't she appear in the sequels?

19. What colors are Nala's eyes (adult and cub)?

20. "Kings don't need advice from little ... for a start."

21. Who voices Nala in "I Just Can't Wait to be King?"

22. How did they make Simba sound like the air was knocked out of his lungs when Nala pinned him?

23. Who voices Shenzi?

24. Why do you think there is emphasis put on Mufasa's paw print? This falls into "Simba's Pride" a little.

25. Who composed the score for the movie?

26. Who did the choral arrangements? Hint: the voice we hear at the beginning of "Circle of Life."

27.  Who of the hyenas always suffers the worst of injuries?

28. What makes Shenzi shudder? "OOooooOOoooH, do it again!"

29. Why doesn't the speaking voice of Scar sing the entire "Be Prepared" sequence and who filled in for him? When?

30. What is the scene of the hyenas marching past Scar meant to resemble?

31. "Yes our ... and ... are ..., be prepared!"

32. What song plays during the stampede?

33. How long did it take for the animators to draw this scene alone?

34. What lines of Scar come up later on in the movie?

35. When do we last see Nala as a cub?

36. Who originated the role of Rafiki on Broadway?

37. "When the world ... ... ... ... ..., you ... ... ... ... ... ... ."

38. Hakuna matata. "It means ... ... for the rest of your days!"

39. Who is the singing voice of cub Simba? What about adult Simba? Hint: I mentioned the adult's singing voice in a recent post.

40. What is Simba's first speaking line as an adult?

41.  What song on Broadway is parallel to the cave scene with Zazu and the hyenas and Scar?

42. How does Simba recognize the lioness that hunts Pumbaa?

43. Who voices Nala in "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?"

44. What song plays as Simba and Nala walk on the log and what song from the Broadway production uses its melody? Hint: I've blogged the Broadway version.

45. In the Broadway production, why did Nala leave the Pride Lands and what song did Heather Headley sing? I blogged about this in Simba's post.

46.  What song plays after the battle?

47. How were the roars recorded?

48. Who originally was Simba and Nala's first cub?

49. What is the original version of "Shadowland?" Hint: The title is in the song.
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Answers:

1: Lebo M.

2: "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba" "Sithi uhm, ingonyama" "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba" "Sithi uhm, ingonyama, ingonyama" "Siyo nqoba" "Ingonyama, ingonyama nengw' enamabala."

3: Kenya/the Serengeti Savanna

4: Zazu, flying over the Pride Lands.

5: Sarabi!

6: Tiger, for example.

7: "Life's not fair, is it?" -Scar

8: Hippo, hernia

9: Pocahontas, and this movie was expected to do poorly at the box office. Instead, nineteen years later, it is still the highest grossing traditionally animated film.

10: He is smart.

11: "This Land"

12: Sleeping in the lion's den

13: Lions eat antelopes, antelopes eat grass, when we die, our bodies become the grass... Mufasa says it better.

14: "The Morning Report"

15: Rowan Atkinson

16: Jeremy Irons

17: Sarafina

18: Madge Sinclair, who died of leukemia in 1995. Simba's Pride was released in 1998.

19: Sometimes green, other times blue, overall they are teal-like.

20: Hornbills

21: Laura Williams, she was ten at the time.

22: They hit his actor's back very, very hard. Child abuse? I don't know.

23: Whoopi Goldberg

24: Simba is trying to fill his father's footsteps. This is a question of opinion.

25: Hans Zimmer, the guy I went crazy over two years ago. I wrote all those posts about him... dang.

26: Lebo M.

27:  Banzai

28: Mufasa, Mufasa, Mufasa!

29: Jim Cummings filled in for him. Jeremy threw out his voice after shouting, "YOU WON'T GET A SNIFF WITHOUT ME!"

30: Hitler, with the German troops marching past him.

31: Teeth, ambitions, bared

32: "To Die For"

33: Three years

34: "What will your mother think?" accidentally paraphrased by Nala, "Run away and never return," quoted by Simba.

35: Mourning Simba's death

36: Tsidii Le Loka

37: "turns its back on you," "turn your back on the world."

38: No worries

39: Jason Weaver and Joseph Williams

40: "Thanks. Man, I'm stuffed."

41: "The Madness of King Scar"

42: She pinned him, just like she used to when they were younger.

43: Sally Dworsky, one of my favorite singer-songwriters

44: "Under the Stars," "Endless Night"

45: She left because Scar tried to make her his queen by forcing it upon her. She sings about how there is nothing left to stay in the Pride Lands for in the song, "Shadowland."

46: "King of Pride Rock"

47: Simba: Tiger roar because lion roars are not as powerful. Sarabi, Sarafina, Nala and other lionesses: Trash cans.

48: Kopa. He had an unexplained death in the books.

49. "Lea Halalela" by Khululiwe Sithole

The Lion King: Begin Again

I think it's safe to say that the message behind this movie tracks back to a famous Walter Elias Disney quote. "Keep moving forward."

When tragedy strikes, you've got to get up. That's the thing about life--- no matter what happens, it continues and you have to move along with it. You never know "what's around the riverbend waiting just around the riverbend." But you have to change. Change is good. What causes it can be bad, but something good almost always comes out of it.

Just about every character in this movie had to change in some sort of way for things to turn out right for them. Simba had to leave what was comfortable for him and face the death of his father. Nala was willing to leave her home to get help and as a result, found the one true king... alive. Mufasa saved his son's life and as a result, gave up his own. Sarabi got herself slapped standing up to the king for what she believed (let's not forget that she's the leader of the need-no-man crew--- her husband frickin' died and she's still the baddest cat in the pride!). Timon and Pumbaa could have died trying to make sure Simba could get past the hyenas. So, the one person---er, lion---who didn't change?

Scar. And we've all seen what happened to him--- what a way to go. Of all ways to die, I gotta admit he had it really rough. I mean, dang! His friends ate him! But he never changed. He kept lying, he kept scheming, he kept taking the easy way out. Long story short, Banzai got the entree he wanted!

The circle of life was messed up. And what did they have to do? Begin again. Start a new pride. A new future. And they didn't look back for very long. They kept moving forward.

Things happen. But if you hold onto your past and never forgive yourself, you can never move on. And so they kept moving forward, eyes looking straight ahead.

"Walking out doors only works if you shut them."

-Measure, "Begin Again"