so yesterday morning, janelle and i were awakened by some loud noises out in the hallway. well, actually, janelle was awakened by some loud noises out in the hallway, i would have slept right through it, thankfully, though, she woke me up and i didn't miss all the excitement.
we huddled around our peephole and tried to make out what was going on out there. it sounded like someone was beating in a door and yelling, but we couldn't see anything. so, we waited until the guy left and the police showed up (of course the police would only show up after the guy had gone...) before janelle ventured into the hallway. (i went back to bed.)
it looked like the door had been attacked with a pipe or something. it was in pretty bad shape. there were huge splinters out of it all over the floor. scary stuff. anyways, janelle gave a statement to the police and then we tried (unsuccessfully) to get some more sleep before our alarm went off...
later in the day the police came back to talk to the occupants of the apartment and it turns out that the 'victims' had stolen drugs and money from the attacker. crazy.
i'm just glad the attackers knew the right address.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
things i do while i'm procrastinating
so, i'm at work. well, i'm at my desk, my computer is plugged in and turned on... i am sitting comfortably, if a little sleepily (i should be drinking coffee.) i've turned on my word processor...
and nothing. but the funny thing is, if i can write here, why can't i write there?
so for the past hour i've been procrastinating. at some point i know i have to just staple my ass down and write something, just one word after another as it starts... and then i have class at two thirty. i am so not looking forward to that.
so i've been surfing the blogosphere. i open up my blog and hit the "next blog" link at the top of the page. i try to leave comments on most people's blogs, here are few that i liked:
1. a novelist whose most recent post commented on a study conducted by her university that concluded that men don't notice women in high heels. a man commented on this, saying that if you notice a woman for what she's wearing and not for who she is, that's "just wrong." i commented, "that's funny. heels are totally sexy."
2. another novelist who posted a "frequently asked questions" thing. on it were questions like "i want to write a new york times best seller, any advice?" and her advice was, "change your goal."
3. i'll keep this last one to myself, but it was really, really funny. i suggest you read the first chapter of the unabridged version of Gulliver's Travels and notice the repetition of Gulliver's master's name. it wasn't about that, but that was also funny.
i guess it would have been helpful if i had posted links, huh? oh well.
so that's what i've been doing instead of working. i think i'll get to work now.
and nothing. but the funny thing is, if i can write here, why can't i write there?
so for the past hour i've been procrastinating. at some point i know i have to just staple my ass down and write something, just one word after another as it starts... and then i have class at two thirty. i am so not looking forward to that.
so i've been surfing the blogosphere. i open up my blog and hit the "next blog" link at the top of the page. i try to leave comments on most people's blogs, here are few that i liked:
1. a novelist whose most recent post commented on a study conducted by her university that concluded that men don't notice women in high heels. a man commented on this, saying that if you notice a woman for what she's wearing and not for who she is, that's "just wrong." i commented, "that's funny. heels are totally sexy."
2. another novelist who posted a "frequently asked questions" thing. on it were questions like "i want to write a new york times best seller, any advice?" and her advice was, "change your goal."
3. i'll keep this last one to myself, but it was really, really funny. i suggest you read the first chapter of the unabridged version of Gulliver's Travels and notice the repetition of Gulliver's master's name. it wasn't about that, but that was also funny.
i guess it would have been helpful if i had posted links, huh? oh well.
so that's what i've been doing instead of working. i think i'll get to work now.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
the mormons are taking over the blogosphere!
anyone else notice that the mormons are taking over the blogosphere?
i wonder if their preachers tell them to do that when they go to church... i wonder if any of them will ever blog about their consecrated underwear... 'cause i'd read that.
i wonder if their preachers tell them to do that when they go to church... i wonder if any of them will ever blog about their consecrated underwear... 'cause i'd read that.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Death and the King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka
Summary
Wole Soyinka's classic play opens in the market at Oyo in Nigeria. Elesin, the king's horseman, dances onto the scene, outrunning his entourage of singers and drummers, who pursue him, singing and dancing and drumming. A confusing celebration ensues, and it eventually becomes clear that Elesin is acquiring another wife.
The scene changes, Simon Pilkings, the District Officer for the British Empire, is preparing for a ball with his wife, they are practicing the Tango and test running their costumes. A policeman enters and conveys the message to Pilkings that Elisin intends to "commit death." Cue suspenseful music.
What i liked
This play is very funny. Probably one of the most hilariousest plays I have ever read. I would like to see it performed. In fact, it is so good that it merits the invention of a new word to describe it.
What i didn't like
It was kind of hard to figure out what was going on in the first scene.
Conclusion
Better than Shakespeare and just as easy to understand. Set in Nigeria. Ridiculously funny. 5/5 ceremonial suicides.
Wole Soyinka's classic play opens in the market at Oyo in Nigeria. Elesin, the king's horseman, dances onto the scene, outrunning his entourage of singers and drummers, who pursue him, singing and dancing and drumming. A confusing celebration ensues, and it eventually becomes clear that Elesin is acquiring another wife.
The scene changes, Simon Pilkings, the District Officer for the British Empire, is preparing for a ball with his wife, they are practicing the Tango and test running their costumes. A policeman enters and conveys the message to Pilkings that Elisin intends to "commit death." Cue suspenseful music.
What i liked
This play is very funny. Probably one of the most hilariousest plays I have ever read. I would like to see it performed. In fact, it is so good that it merits the invention of a new word to describe it.
What i didn't like
It was kind of hard to figure out what was going on in the first scene.
Conclusion
Better than Shakespeare and just as easy to understand. Set in Nigeria. Ridiculously funny. 5/5 ceremonial suicides.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Anthill by E.O. Wilson
Summary
This is a kind of coming-of-age novel. It follows the life and adventures of Raff Cody, first as a child, and later as he grows older. It is about the people, events, things, and places that shape who he becomes.
As a child, Raphael Semmes Cody grows up in Clayville, near Mobile, Alabama. His favourite place to go is the Nokobee Tract on the west shore of Lake Nokobee. He explores it until he knows it intimately, all the species of insect and animal; all the trees and plants.
This leads him to study natural history and biology at Florida State University. He writes a thesis paper on the ants of the Nokobee Tract and succeeds very well in his schooling.
But, when he discovers that the Nokobee Tract is up for sale and a big developer is looking at it, he decides that he must do something. So, with the help of his uncle Cyrus, he goes to law school at Harvard and specializes in environmental law.
And then he begins to unfold his scheme to save the Nokobee Tract.
In the middle of the novel, a few chapters chronicle the rise and fall of an ant empire as a sort of proverb about conservation and continuity.
what i liked
This book was extremely well written. The characters are very real and the writing is so well done I really got it. E.O. Wilson takes his time writing, every character gets a good description, even the minor ones. The novel takes you through their whole life story in one or two paragraphs so you really get a feel for who they are. I liked that.
what i didn't like
It's a slow paced novel. It takes a long time for things to happen and the action to develop. Actually, there's very little action. The first chapter is particularly difficult. But now that I've finished reading it, I don't think I'd have it any other way. It's a very enjoyable read.
Conclusion
A very good book. A little long and slow paced, but worth the time it takes to read. It takes you into the world of conservationism and the life of a little boy who grows up to be a man determined to make a difference. The ant empire parenthesis was exceptionally unique and definitely adds to the story. I give this book 4.5/5 anthill empires.
This is a kind of coming-of-age novel. It follows the life and adventures of Raff Cody, first as a child, and later as he grows older. It is about the people, events, things, and places that shape who he becomes.
As a child, Raphael Semmes Cody grows up in Clayville, near Mobile, Alabama. His favourite place to go is the Nokobee Tract on the west shore of Lake Nokobee. He explores it until he knows it intimately, all the species of insect and animal; all the trees and plants.
This leads him to study natural history and biology at Florida State University. He writes a thesis paper on the ants of the Nokobee Tract and succeeds very well in his schooling.
But, when he discovers that the Nokobee Tract is up for sale and a big developer is looking at it, he decides that he must do something. So, with the help of his uncle Cyrus, he goes to law school at Harvard and specializes in environmental law.
And then he begins to unfold his scheme to save the Nokobee Tract.
In the middle of the novel, a few chapters chronicle the rise and fall of an ant empire as a sort of proverb about conservation and continuity.
what i liked
This book was extremely well written. The characters are very real and the writing is so well done I really got it. E.O. Wilson takes his time writing, every character gets a good description, even the minor ones. The novel takes you through their whole life story in one or two paragraphs so you really get a feel for who they are. I liked that.
what i didn't like
It's a slow paced novel. It takes a long time for things to happen and the action to develop. Actually, there's very little action. The first chapter is particularly difficult. But now that I've finished reading it, I don't think I'd have it any other way. It's a very enjoyable read.
Conclusion
A very good book. A little long and slow paced, but worth the time it takes to read. It takes you into the world of conservationism and the life of a little boy who grows up to be a man determined to make a difference. The ant empire parenthesis was exceptionally unique and definitely adds to the story. I give this book 4.5/5 anthill empires.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Catalyst, an unsolicited commentary on the music video
i recently read PluggedinOnline's review of Linkin Park's new single, The Catalyst and its music video, so i listened to the song and watched the video on youtube and here is my unsolicited commentary on both the song/video and pluggedin's review.
About the band's upcoming album and this song's music video, guitarist/vocalist Mike Shinoda said, "It kind of comes from the idea of, like, if you could imagine when nuclear fission was invented, or a moment in time when something can be used for positive or negative. Something can be beautiful or it can be destructive. Or even, you know, if you've ever seen a dangerous fire from far away, it's devastating up close, but from far away, it can be beautiful. Those are the kind of themes that run throughout the album, and they're also themes that you see in the video."
Pluggedin's reaction was: "You do? Where are the beautiful things? The contrast Shinoda mentions just isn't there. Instead, "The Catalyst" depicts only horrific judgment—and it's not even close to pretty."
i strongly disagree. the concept of apocalypse is hopeful in a twisted kind of way. it's hopeful because it's the self-destruction of all of the nonsense of our society's consumerism, twisted politics, and international jibber-jabbering that never seems to amount to anything. in the apocalypse, all that nonsense will be destroyed and those who survive--if anyone does--will have a fresh new start.
this probably explains the recent spate of post-apocalyptic things going on in popular culture, books and movies like The Road, The Book of Eli, all the zombie-apocalypse movies, and games like Fallout.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Summary
Cassandra and her family live in a castle. Don't get too excited. It's a ramshackle old broken down castle. But it's still pretty spectacular. Not as spectacular as how spectacularly dysfunctional Cassandra's family is.
They're a poor family. Father, James Mortmain, lives up to his name: he's a writer, but he hasn't written a thing since his last great book Jacob Wrestling. And that was years ago. Now he sits in an isolated section of the castle and reads the detective novels he gets from the library.
Topaz is father's second wife and stepmother to the children. She makes the household run and cares for everyone the best she can. Although she's a little quirky (she likes to commune with nature, in the nude) she's pragmatic. She mends clothes, and makes what food they can grow or barter for last.
Cassandra's older sister can't stand living in the castle and living in poverty but she's perfectly useless, can't be bothered to help around the house, or contribute to the family's income. Her one best hope is to marry a wealthy gentleman.
Cassandra's younger brother, Thomas, is still in school.
Attached to the household is a young man named Stephen. He lives in a dark room off the kitchen and does most of the work around the house, even though he hasn't been paid in years. He has a massive crush on Cassandra.
The wealthy gentleman of Rose's dreams arrives in the form of a new landlord, a young well educated American named Simon. Apparently he studied Mortmain's book in college and was a big fan. So he and his brother, Neil, spend more and more time with the Mortmains. Eventually Simon asks Rose to marry him.
And then the worst possible thing happens...
What i liked
The writing was superb. Cassandra is the first person narrator and the book is her journal. It's honest and real.
The characters are super real. And I appreciate that very much.
What i didn't like
nothing, really. Or at least, nothing I can remember.
Conclusion
It's a very complex book, it has a whole tonne of layers and it's very deep. One day I would like to write a paper on it. I'll give it 5/5 medieval castles.
Cassandra and her family live in a castle. Don't get too excited. It's a ramshackle old broken down castle. But it's still pretty spectacular. Not as spectacular as how spectacularly dysfunctional Cassandra's family is.
They're a poor family. Father, James Mortmain, lives up to his name: he's a writer, but he hasn't written a thing since his last great book Jacob Wrestling. And that was years ago. Now he sits in an isolated section of the castle and reads the detective novels he gets from the library.
Topaz is father's second wife and stepmother to the children. She makes the household run and cares for everyone the best she can. Although she's a little quirky (she likes to commune with nature, in the nude) she's pragmatic. She mends clothes, and makes what food they can grow or barter for last.
Cassandra's older sister can't stand living in the castle and living in poverty but she's perfectly useless, can't be bothered to help around the house, or contribute to the family's income. Her one best hope is to marry a wealthy gentleman.
Cassandra's younger brother, Thomas, is still in school.
Attached to the household is a young man named Stephen. He lives in a dark room off the kitchen and does most of the work around the house, even though he hasn't been paid in years. He has a massive crush on Cassandra.
The wealthy gentleman of Rose's dreams arrives in the form of a new landlord, a young well educated American named Simon. Apparently he studied Mortmain's book in college and was a big fan. So he and his brother, Neil, spend more and more time with the Mortmains. Eventually Simon asks Rose to marry him.
And then the worst possible thing happens...
What i liked
The writing was superb. Cassandra is the first person narrator and the book is her journal. It's honest and real.
The characters are super real. And I appreciate that very much.
What i didn't like
nothing, really. Or at least, nothing I can remember.
Conclusion
It's a very complex book, it has a whole tonne of layers and it's very deep. One day I would like to write a paper on it. I'll give it 5/5 medieval castles.
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