Our turn came this afternoon at Wzard World, Chicago, as the Outlanderbts lasses met with like-minded fans for a chance to discuss all things Outlander. Fearless leader Courtney Williams, Antoinette Simmons, and moi pressed on without Dr. Catherine Harmon who was attending a medical conference. We missed her very much!
Today’s topic was a discussion of book six, “A Breath of Snow and Ashes,” interwoven with speculation about Season six. As you can surmise from the following video, we each have our own viewpoints and we enjoyed those of the audience who were invited to participate at any time.
Needless to say, everyone is READY for S6. It has been a very long, dry droughtlander! 🥵
Most folks are familiar with a pair of tonsils we see via an open mouth. But, our nasopharynx and oropharynx are equipped with several sets of tonsils.
Anatomists agree there are three sets of tonsils and many add a fourth (see L image👇🏻):
Palatine tonsils: Paired masses at back of mouth (blue)
Lingual tonsil: Unpaired mass embedded in back of tongue (green)
Pharyngeal tonsil: Unpaired mass embedded in back of pharynx (yellow)
Tubal tonsil: Paired masses surrounding opening of eustachian tube (violet)
What are tonsils? Tonsils are masses of lymphoid tissue that produce defensive cells known as lymphocytes. If viewed from the front (see R image 👆🏻) , the four sets of tonsils form Waldeyer’s ring, a circle of lymphoid tissues.
What are tonsils for? Tonsils are strategically oriented in Waldeyer’s ring to encounter antigens we breathe in via the nose or swallow through the mouth. The tissues respond by mounting an immune response against the antigens, producing antibodies and pursuing other defensive tactics.
Fun Fact:Tonsillectomies were once the most common surgery done on US children. Today, they are performed mostly to treat breathing problems or chronic issues that are not resolved by other forms of treatment.
Read about Josiah’s tonsillectomy in Diana’s 5th big book, The Fiery Cross!
“All right, then?” I asked.
He couldn’t speak, with the tongue depressor in his mouth, but made a good-natured sort of grunt that I took for assent.
I needed to be quick, and I was. The preparations had taken hours; the operation, no more than a few seconds. I seized one spongy red tonsil with the forceps, stretched it toward me, and made several small, quick cuts, deftly separating the layers of tissue. A trickle of blood was running out of the boy’s mouth and down his chin, but nothing serious.
…The whole thing couldn’t have taken more than thirty seconds per side. I drew the instruments out of Josiah’s mouth, and he goggled at me, astonished. Then he coughed, gagged, leaned forward, and another small chunk of flesh bounced into the basin with a small splat, together with a quantity of bright red blood.
See Claire perform a tonsillectomy on puir Kezzie in Outlander episode 505, Perpetual Adoration! Let’s hear it for the brave laddies!
Last week, I boarded a jet plane in Greensboro, North Carolina, and hours later flew into the new, Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) for 2020 Wizard World New Orleans (WWNO)!
This was my first visit to WWNO, held in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. I swear, this building was a quarter of a mile in length! (Note: a fan has since informed me this building is 1/2 mile in length and 1,000,000 sq ft!)
Checked into my room and snuggled under white cotton sheets and fluffy comforter! Sorry about the toes! 😜
My roomie was the lovely public defender, Antoinette Simmons. I love her Jamaican accent! 🤗
Next day, registration! My badge. Hey, isn’t this Jamie at Lallybroch with the buttered bannock? A fav blast from the past. Wink! Wink!
We took a little time in the afternoon to head for Frenchman Street – locals sent us to this site for an authentic New OAR-linz experience!
Soon, we found ourselves at The Spotted Cat Music Club – where we shared garlic French fries. I had my fav, a Cadillac margarita! 😋
The four-man entertainment was delightful!
We were also treated to a bit of “gumbo tap” by one of the musicians!
Evening found us at a Platinum event where Maria Doyle Kennedy (MDK) was the surprise guest! I filmed the first half of her Q & A but not the rest because my cell phone battery died and my charger was in my hotel room! 🙄 Grrrr!
You can read about the part that didn’t get recorded in my earlier post on MDK! (check out her cute red tennies!)
Next day, I was frisked at security! Courtney Williams, creator of Outlanderbts, demanded it – she says she knows a criminal when she sees one! 😜
Waiting for Sam, I gave gal-pal, Catherine (Cathy) Toomer, M.D., the finger!!! 😱 The index finger that is! Although it looks rude, I was actually showing her my new DNA ring, a Christmas gift – the double helix.
Into a side room and rock star, Sam Heughan entered! Everyone was delighted as we each got an autographed photo of him plus our own!
Mine! (hee, hee) He was a snuggler that day. Hence, my BIG grin!
Rats! Turns out, I had to share 😉
Later in the day, we went to the Sam panel. The auditorium filled up fast!
The MC called the meeting to order and announced Courtney Williams was moderating! Who knew? We are supposedly her bff and she didn’t tell us! 😈 That Courtney can keep a secret!
I was so proud of her. Courtney did a lovely job managing Sam, Ed, John and Maria. They played a fun Outlander quiz. Score: audience = 100 – cast = 0! Sam couldn’t even recall how many women Jamie had known in the Biblical sense! 😜
The next two videos, parts one and two, show the panel in its entirety. Had to stop filming to turn off Twitter notifications, then started anew. Here is part one. Hope you enjoy!
so sorry! This video will no longer load. Please watch on my You Tube channel, Outlander Anatomy.
And, part 2!
A bit of cosplay in the hallway. I asked these fans if they were Arch and Murdina Bug but they said they were just playing a Scottish couple. Great costumes! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Later, we scurried to the main hall for more photo ops with Sam. Here he comes, surrounded by some very braw body guards!!!
Next day, back to the convention center for a 40 minute meet and greet with Maria Doyle Kennedy. She was gracious, elegant and candid. Her intelligence shone through her thoughtful answers. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment we spent with her!
And, here are those fearless fans who enjoyed the delightful interaction with Maria!
Maria was followed by the dread pirate, Ed Speleers! His meet and greet had a very different tone. One woman said his eyes intimidate her but he responded that wasn’t his intention. He does have a rather piercing gaze.
Honestly, Ed seemed very comfortable as the only man in a room full of women!
He decided early on to be an actor. He loves being a pirate in Outlander. He is very proud of his children. I was impressed to hear he traveled to Ireland to ensure a correct accent for Bonnet. And, he was very coy about whether or not he appears in S5!
And finally, a drum roll: the pièce de ré·sis·tance – the Outlanderbts Fan Panel!
We four ladies of the Outlanderbts Fan Panel messed with each other and the audience. Listen as attendees offer up piercing comments and observations. A lively discussion was had by all with lots of audience participation. We had a blast. Hope you enjoy!
Had a wonderful time at WWNO and hope to attend next year.
I close with this image of the fearless four! Oops, make that the fearless five!
