I believe that everything happens for a reason,
people change so that you can learn to let go,
things go wrong so you appreciate them when they're right,
you believe lies so you'll learn to trust noone but yourself,
and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.
Showing posts with label Books and Citations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books and Citations. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
I just read the first of three novels by Stieg Larsson and I am very surprised at the plot, suspense, and how well the author carried the book from start to finish. I must admit that at the beginning the plot was slow moving but it quickly picked up pace. To my surprise the book had multiple climaxes and they were so well entwined in the story that while reading I couldn't resist putting the book down. I finished reading the book at 5am in the morning lol. Overall, 5 stars. It was very smart and again, very well written. It was also my first mystery/murder novel I've read and although the book did arise emotions of fear and anger in me, I was not as agitated by it because the main characters of the book had logical and rational thinking (not as dumbfounded as Bella Swan from Twilight.. barf).
I am currently picking up the second book, The Girl who played with fire. On a side note, I'm also reading a history book (written by Norman Davies).. the history of Poland but in ENGLISH! yes.. english!!! finally, something that I can understand and analyze thoroughly on my own. Don't get me wrong, I am fluent in Polish.. but the way the Polish language carries itself in such subjects is a snore! lol. Plus some words are difficult to interpret :P
Aneways, here is the trailer to the movie of the first of Larsson's books (it is in Swedish with english subtitles). A couple of friends strongly recommended me to watch it but I couldn't give in without reading the book first :)
I am currently picking up the second book, The Girl who played with fire. On a side note, I'm also reading a history book (written by Norman Davies).. the history of Poland but in ENGLISH! yes.. english!!! finally, something that I can understand and analyze thoroughly on my own. Don't get me wrong, I am fluent in Polish.. but the way the Polish language carries itself in such subjects is a snore! lol. Plus some words are difficult to interpret :P
Aneways, here is the trailer to the movie of the first of Larsson's books (it is in Swedish with english subtitles). A couple of friends strongly recommended me to watch it but I couldn't give in without reading the book first :)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
"Cathy, oh my hearts darling.. Cathy, come back to me!"
I have just completed reading Wuthering Heights and after some frustration, misunderstanding, and some time spent on 'dictionary.com', I am very satisfied with this book. I've never read about love so passionate, delusional, and full of envy and revenge.
Let me just say that the first three chapters are not worth the time. I spent soo much time deciphering them that now I think it would be wise to ommit them altogether and start from the real story, chapter 4.
Chapters 1-3 in a nutshell describe the characters in the book (the names are confusing and the use of the same name for different characters doesn't help). What made these chapters confusing was the use of old english and travelling back and forth through time. In these chapters, a man named Mr. Lockley takes up residence in Thrushgrove Grange, a house owned by Heathcliff, who resides in Wuthering Heights. Lockley visits Heathcliff one night in winter and he discovers that Heathcliff is very nasty, greedy, selfish, and a little delusional. Lockley also meets a boy named Hareton, a girl named Cathy Linton, housekeeper Zillah, and servant Joseph.
they are very mean and sad people- with no manners. Because of the storm outside, Lockwood asks permission to stay the night at Wuthering Heights.. when he does, he discovers a room full of possessions from a Catherine Earnshaw, whom ghost he clamis to have seen. After the night is over, he goes back hom to Thrushgrove Grange, where he persuades his housekeeper, Nelly Dean, to tell the story of Heathcliff and the people in that house.
The story (going back 40 years in time) in simple english goes like this:
Heathcliff, a gypsy orphan has been taken in by Mr. Earnshaw who lives at Wuthering Heights. Mr. Earnshaw has two children, Hindley Earnshaw and Catherine Earnshaw. Hindley is always mean to Heathcliff, beats him up and treats himm like crap. Catherine Earnshaw treats Heathcliff fairly and as the two grow up together in the meadows of the English country, they form a strong bond.
Mr. Earnshaw passes away, Hindley marries, and takes over the household. He is mean to Heathcliff and abuses him. He forbids his sister Catherine to play with Heathcliff so they frequently play away from the house in the meadows, without his knowledge. For this horrible life, Emily Bronte does some foreshadowing: Heathcliff is caught saying that he will have revenge on Hindley, no matter how long it takes.
One day Catherine and Heathcliff decide to explore Thrushgrove Grange, one of the neighbouring houses. Catherine, a wild spirit, gets hurt, and when the owners of the house, the Lintons, discover her, they take her in and take care of her. Heathcliff was declined an offer to stay at the Linton;s because they think he is a servant (The Linton;s have two children, Isabella Linton and Edgar Linton). So Heathcliff goes home and Catherine stays at the Linton's for a few months. She returns home a new, sophisticated lady- well- dressed and well- worded. She spends more time with the Linton children than with Heathcliff (although she loves Heathcliff, she is a little embrassed of him).
Edgar Linton proposes to Catherine. Catherine accepts. Heathcliff overhears Catherine tell Nelly Dean (the housekeeper telling the story) that she loves Heathcliff but he has no money, no property or wealth and can;t give her what she wants. Heathcliff runs away. Three years later Heathcliff comes back wealthy. As vengeance he fools the now dying hindley earnshaw to pass over wuthering Heights to him. He also attains guardianship of hindley's son.. who is a toddler.. and in the long run Heathcliff lets the boy run wild, neglects his education, and the boy loses the rights to his own property and is dumb as a piece of wood. His name is Hareton Earnshaw.
Next, Catherine and Heathcliff often visit eachother.. she admits she loves Heathcliff. Heathcliff tells her to run away.. but she loves Edgar Linton too.. so she can't. Heathcliff decides to woe Edgar's sister, Isabella Linton. She falls in love with Heathcliff and against Edgar Linton's orders, she marries Heathcliff. Heathcliff only used Isabella to torment both Catherine and Edgar.. and treats her like crap at Wuthering Heights.
Heathcliff and Catherine continue to see eachother behind Edgar Linton's for a long time.. until Edgar finds out and tells her to choose Heathcliff or himself. Catherine falls deeply ill, does not make a decision, and because she is pregnant.. gives birth to a daughter and dies.
Isabella Linton runs away from Heathcliff.. lives in the South with her and Heathcliff's son. Time passes.. Cathy Linton 9the daughter of Edgar and Catherine) grows into a charming young lady. Isabella Linton dies.. and begs her brother Edgar to take care of her son Linton Heathcliff (LOL @ with the names.. grrrr). BUT Heathcliff hears of this and takes Linton away. Cathy doesn't understand what happened.. she also doesn;t know anything about her mother or Heathcliff..until one day she finds out... In short, Heathcliff forms a new plan.. to marry cathy and her cousin Linton. The two do love eachother (because they have been sending letters and Cathy has been visiting him at Wuthering Heights without her father's knowledge). Linton falls sick and is very weak. Edgar Linton is also in a frail state and he is dying. Edgar then finds out about Cathy visintg Linton and bans her from any communication. But one day she runs away to Wuthering Heights.. and is surprisingly kept there against her will by Heathcliff who forces her to marry Linton. She wants to get home and inform her father about her whereabouts but Heathcliff beats her and forces her to marry his son. She does and she goes home to her dying father. A few weeks pass and Linton, her husband dies as well. Now, Heathcliff is the owner of both Thrushgrove Range and Wuthering Heights.. his revenge is complete. Catherine is also forced to stay at Wuthering Heights.
Back to the present. Catherine falls in love with her other cousin, Hareton (the uneducated boy). She educates him. When Heathcliff learns of this new love he is about to scorn Cathy.. but then suffers a mental breakdown and begins to see Catherine's ghost. that night he dies, with the window open, rain coming in from the outside, a smile on his face, and his hand stretched out towards the window.
It is believed he is reaching for the hand of Catherine, his love, who has tormented him all these years.. and he is happy to finally have found peace with her.
he is burried next to Catherine. Catherine's husband, Edgar is buried across of her.
Lockwood then visits the graveyard and notes how peaceful they look.
The end.
The movie filmed in 1939 is a very close encounter of the book. The 1992 version isn;t very good, and I found was more confusing.
I have just completed reading Wuthering Heights and after some frustration, misunderstanding, and some time spent on 'dictionary.com', I am very satisfied with this book. I've never read about love so passionate, delusional, and full of envy and revenge.
Let me just say that the first three chapters are not worth the time. I spent soo much time deciphering them that now I think it would be wise to ommit them altogether and start from the real story, chapter 4.
Chapters 1-3 in a nutshell describe the characters in the book (the names are confusing and the use of the same name for different characters doesn't help). What made these chapters confusing was the use of old english and travelling back and forth through time. In these chapters, a man named Mr. Lockley takes up residence in Thrushgrove Grange, a house owned by Heathcliff, who resides in Wuthering Heights. Lockley visits Heathcliff one night in winter and he discovers that Heathcliff is very nasty, greedy, selfish, and a little delusional. Lockley also meets a boy named Hareton, a girl named Cathy Linton, housekeeper Zillah, and servant Joseph.
they are very mean and sad people- with no manners. Because of the storm outside, Lockwood asks permission to stay the night at Wuthering Heights.. when he does, he discovers a room full of possessions from a Catherine Earnshaw, whom ghost he clamis to have seen. After the night is over, he goes back hom to Thrushgrove Grange, where he persuades his housekeeper, Nelly Dean, to tell the story of Heathcliff and the people in that house.
The story (going back 40 years in time) in simple english goes like this:
Heathcliff, a gypsy orphan has been taken in by Mr. Earnshaw who lives at Wuthering Heights. Mr. Earnshaw has two children, Hindley Earnshaw and Catherine Earnshaw. Hindley is always mean to Heathcliff, beats him up and treats himm like crap. Catherine Earnshaw treats Heathcliff fairly and as the two grow up together in the meadows of the English country, they form a strong bond.
Mr. Earnshaw passes away, Hindley marries, and takes over the household. He is mean to Heathcliff and abuses him. He forbids his sister Catherine to play with Heathcliff so they frequently play away from the house in the meadows, without his knowledge. For this horrible life, Emily Bronte does some foreshadowing: Heathcliff is caught saying that he will have revenge on Hindley, no matter how long it takes.
One day Catherine and Heathcliff decide to explore Thrushgrove Grange, one of the neighbouring houses. Catherine, a wild spirit, gets hurt, and when the owners of the house, the Lintons, discover her, they take her in and take care of her. Heathcliff was declined an offer to stay at the Linton;s because they think he is a servant (The Linton;s have two children, Isabella Linton and Edgar Linton). So Heathcliff goes home and Catherine stays at the Linton's for a few months. She returns home a new, sophisticated lady- well- dressed and well- worded. She spends more time with the Linton children than with Heathcliff (although she loves Heathcliff, she is a little embrassed of him).
Edgar Linton proposes to Catherine. Catherine accepts. Heathcliff overhears Catherine tell Nelly Dean (the housekeeper telling the story) that she loves Heathcliff but he has no money, no property or wealth and can;t give her what she wants. Heathcliff runs away. Three years later Heathcliff comes back wealthy. As vengeance he fools the now dying hindley earnshaw to pass over wuthering Heights to him. He also attains guardianship of hindley's son.. who is a toddler.. and in the long run Heathcliff lets the boy run wild, neglects his education, and the boy loses the rights to his own property and is dumb as a piece of wood. His name is Hareton Earnshaw.
Next, Catherine and Heathcliff often visit eachother.. she admits she loves Heathcliff. Heathcliff tells her to run away.. but she loves Edgar Linton too.. so she can't. Heathcliff decides to woe Edgar's sister, Isabella Linton. She falls in love with Heathcliff and against Edgar Linton's orders, she marries Heathcliff. Heathcliff only used Isabella to torment both Catherine and Edgar.. and treats her like crap at Wuthering Heights.
Heathcliff and Catherine continue to see eachother behind Edgar Linton's for a long time.. until Edgar finds out and tells her to choose Heathcliff or himself. Catherine falls deeply ill, does not make a decision, and because she is pregnant.. gives birth to a daughter and dies.
Isabella Linton runs away from Heathcliff.. lives in the South with her and Heathcliff's son. Time passes.. Cathy Linton 9the daughter of Edgar and Catherine) grows into a charming young lady. Isabella Linton dies.. and begs her brother Edgar to take care of her son Linton Heathcliff (LOL @ with the names.. grrrr). BUT Heathcliff hears of this and takes Linton away. Cathy doesn't understand what happened.. she also doesn;t know anything about her mother or Heathcliff..until one day she finds out... In short, Heathcliff forms a new plan.. to marry cathy and her cousin Linton. The two do love eachother (because they have been sending letters and Cathy has been visiting him at Wuthering Heights without her father's knowledge). Linton falls sick and is very weak. Edgar Linton is also in a frail state and he is dying. Edgar then finds out about Cathy visintg Linton and bans her from any communication. But one day she runs away to Wuthering Heights.. and is surprisingly kept there against her will by Heathcliff who forces her to marry Linton. She wants to get home and inform her father about her whereabouts but Heathcliff beats her and forces her to marry his son. She does and she goes home to her dying father. A few weeks pass and Linton, her husband dies as well. Now, Heathcliff is the owner of both Thrushgrove Range and Wuthering Heights.. his revenge is complete. Catherine is also forced to stay at Wuthering Heights.
Back to the present. Catherine falls in love with her other cousin, Hareton (the uneducated boy). She educates him. When Heathcliff learns of this new love he is about to scorn Cathy.. but then suffers a mental breakdown and begins to see Catherine's ghost. that night he dies, with the window open, rain coming in from the outside, a smile on his face, and his hand stretched out towards the window.
It is believed he is reaching for the hand of Catherine, his love, who has tormented him all these years.. and he is happy to finally have found peace with her.
he is burried next to Catherine. Catherine's husband, Edgar is buried across of her.
Lockwood then visits the graveyard and notes how peaceful they look.
The end.
The movie filmed in 1939 is a very close encounter of the book. The 1992 version isn;t very good, and I found was more confusing.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
After reading the book I decided to watch the movie.
The following is the trailer:
It still leaves me speechless..
The book itself isn't very long and it is written through the eyes of an 8yr old.. there is a minimal difference btwn book and movie and both broke my heart. I recommend reading the book and watching the movie because the book expresses little things that are quite relevant to the degree innocense and ignorance of these children (for example the use of words such as 'Out-With' instead of Auschwitz, 'The Fury' instead of the Fuhrer).
(Oh and it isn't based on a true story.. but that's irrelevant)
The following is the trailer:
It still leaves me speechless..
The book itself isn't very long and it is written through the eyes of an 8yr old.. there is a minimal difference btwn book and movie and both broke my heart. I recommend reading the book and watching the movie because the book expresses little things that are quite relevant to the degree innocense and ignorance of these children (for example the use of words such as 'Out-With' instead of Auschwitz, 'The Fury' instead of the Fuhrer).
(Oh and it isn't based on a true story.. but that's irrelevant)
Night- Elie Wiesel
An autobiography... a true story of a fifteen year old boy's experience in Aushwitz.
"Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed.
Never shall I forget that smoke.
Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky.
Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever.
Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live.
Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams into ashes.
Never shall I forget those things, even were I condemned to live as long as God himself.
Never", p 34.
"What are you, my God? I thought angrily. How do you compare to this stricken mass gathered to affirm to you their faith, their anger, their defiance? What does Your grandeur mean, Master of the universe, in the face of all this cowardice, this decay, and this misery? Why do you go troubling this poor people's wounded minds, their ailing bodies?", p 66 .
"I no longer pleaded for anything. I was no longer able to lament. On the contrary, I felt very strong. I was the accuser, God the accused. My eyes had opened and I was alone, terribly alone in a world without God, without man. Without love or mercy. I was nothing but ashes now, but I felt myself to be stronger than this Almighty to whom my life had been bound for so long. in the midst of these men assembled for prayer, I felt like an observer, a stranger". xx
"Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed.
Never shall I forget that smoke.
Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky.
Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever.
Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live.
Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams into ashes.
Never shall I forget those things, even were I condemned to live as long as God himself.
Never", p 34.
"What are you, my God? I thought angrily. How do you compare to this stricken mass gathered to affirm to you their faith, their anger, their defiance? What does Your grandeur mean, Master of the universe, in the face of all this cowardice, this decay, and this misery? Why do you go troubling this poor people's wounded minds, their ailing bodies?", p 66 .
"I no longer pleaded for anything. I was no longer able to lament. On the contrary, I felt very strong. I was the accuser, God the accused. My eyes had opened and I was alone, terribly alone in a world without God, without man. Without love or mercy. I was nothing but ashes now, but I felt myself to be stronger than this Almighty to whom my life had been bound for so long. in the midst of these men assembled for prayer, I felt like an observer, a stranger". xx
Monday, October 12, 2009
"So, I Would be His First Girlfriend"
Here's a little taste of Nightlight (Twilight parody) before it hits the bookshelves:
A computer sat before him on the table. He stared intently at the screen, narrowing his eyes into slits and concentrating those slits on the screen as if the only thing that mattered to him was physically dominating that screen. He was muscular, like a man who could pin you up against the wall as easily as a poster, yet lean, like a man who would rather cradle you in his arms. He had reddish, blonde-brown hair that was groomed heterosexually. He looked older than the other boys in the room—maybe not as old as God or my father, but certainly a viable replacement. Imagine if you took every woman’s idea of a hot guy and averaged it out into one man. This was that man.
“What is that?” I asked, knowing that whatever it was it wasn’t avian.
“That’s Edwart Mullen,” Lucy said.
Edwart. I had never met a boy named Edwart before. Actually, I had never met any human named Edwart before. It was a funny sounding name. Much funnier than Edward.
As we sat there, gazing at him for what seemed like hours but couldn’t have been more than the entire lunch period, his eyes suddenly flicked toward me, slithering over my face and boring into my heart like fangs. Then in a flash they went back to glowering at that screen.
“He moved here two years ago from Alaska,” she said.
So not only was he pale like me, but he was also an outsider from a state that begins with an “A.” I felt a surge of empathy. I had never felt a connection like this before.
“That boy’s not worth your time,” she said wrongly. “Edwart doesn’t date.”
I smirked inwardly and snorted outwardly. So, I would be his first girlfriend.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Nighlight
LOL!
Twilight vs. Nightlight!
On November 3rd, a parody of the Twilight Saga hits the bookstores. After reading a small summary of the book, I must say that I am impressed.. and giggling at all the obsessed tweens out there. The plot is very laugh-out-loud! It explores the mind of a delusional teenager who is so obsessed with her high school crush that she imagines and wrongly claims he is a vampire. Now, THIS story I can believe.
Here's a more detailed overview of the book:
"The book, published by Random House's Vintage Books imprint, will hit your local bookstore on November 3. According to EW.com, it will focus on a young lady named Belle Goose, who is described as "pale and klutzy." When she moves to Switchblade, Oregon, she meets a fellow high school student named Edwart Mullen.
Belle, who has an obsession with vampires, convinces herself that the "super-hot computer nerd with zero interest in girls" is one because he does things she considers supernatural like leaving his Tater Tots untouched at lunch and saving her from a flying snowball."
For more plz visit http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1623370/story.jhtml
Twilight vs. Nightlight!
On November 3rd, a parody of the Twilight Saga hits the bookstores. After reading a small summary of the book, I must say that I am impressed.. and giggling at all the obsessed tweens out there. The plot is very laugh-out-loud! It explores the mind of a delusional teenager who is so obsessed with her high school crush that she imagines and wrongly claims he is a vampire. Now, THIS story I can believe.
Here's a more detailed overview of the book:
"The book, published by Random House's Vintage Books imprint, will hit your local bookstore on November 3. According to EW.com, it will focus on a young lady named Belle Goose, who is described as "pale and klutzy." When she moves to Switchblade, Oregon, she meets a fellow high school student named Edwart Mullen.
Belle, who has an obsession with vampires, convinces herself that the "super-hot computer nerd with zero interest in girls" is one because he does things she considers supernatural like leaving his Tater Tots untouched at lunch and saving her from a flying snowball."
For more plz visit http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1623370/story.jhtml
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Twilight Saga P.2
So I completely finished reading the Twilight Saga series..
and as I re-read my blog post about the first book there are a few changes I need to make.
I still hold that the books are not written exceptionally well (there are a few parts of the books that are rushed by the author.. very unprofessional) but the final three books of the Twilight Saga are better than the first.
I say that because Bella, who pissed me off in the first book, grows into a more tolerable being (lol).. and her love twist with the new character, Jacob, is something I somewhat related to. That part very much held my attention to the book.
Overall, the vampire love story captures you with an anticipation for the truth... and a desire for a happy ending.
I give Twilight Saga an 8.95/10 (lol).
This is the link to read it all online (including the unpublished Midnight Sun):
http://read-twilight.blogspot.com/
and as I re-read my blog post about the first book there are a few changes I need to make.
I still hold that the books are not written exceptionally well (there are a few parts of the books that are rushed by the author.. very unprofessional) but the final three books of the Twilight Saga are better than the first.
I say that because Bella, who pissed me off in the first book, grows into a more tolerable being (lol).. and her love twist with the new character, Jacob, is something I somewhat related to. That part very much held my attention to the book.
Overall, the vampire love story captures you with an anticipation for the truth... and a desire for a happy ending.
I give Twilight Saga an 8.95/10 (lol).
This is the link to read it all online (including the unpublished Midnight Sun):
http://read-twilight.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
My 411 on Twilight
Because curiosity got to me..
I started reading Twilight.. and I must say I am part impressed and part dissapointed.
I am super impressed with the idea of a sexy vampire crazy attracted to a normal, ivory skinned girl. The imagination that this book leaves you with just drives you insane. You start putting urself in Bella's position.. start fantasizing.. lol. But that's only because of Edward.
The character of Edward is the ideal guy any girl would want to be with. He protects a girl, he fights for her, he spends almost all his time with her.. tells her the most sweetest yet bizzare things... AND he has eyes and a thirst/craving only for her. Shall I add that he is incredibly handsome and has a dangerous/mysterious side to him which brings spontaneity to the relationship. He definately challenges love vs. lust.. overall YUM!
Bella on the other hand- not so much of a yum. I tried to understand her.. but I failed. After reading the first book I felt like kicking her. At first it seemed she was this cool, reserved girl.. and I actually felt jealous she had this hot vampire stalking her. I get it. But then.. she argued with this sexy guy continuously about stupid shit. Get over urself..and enjoy being with him.. and for heaven sake SMILE! Her thoughts and feelings are all so depresseive. Like damn girl.. I don't get you.. I wouldn't wanna be with this depressing chick. Then she turns super obsessive and it got so ridiculously annoying...
Chapter 17- Edward I'm scared of losing you. I love you.
Chapter 18- Edward stay with me. I need you here.
Chapter 19- Edward promise me you'll never leave me. Stay the night. Don't let go of me.
Chapter 20- Edward I love you. I'm scared you could disappear.. tell me you love me. Tell me you'll never leave.
FU*K GIRL! He's gunna leave you cuz yuuuu soo CRAZY!
The other dissapointment, outside of Bella, is the fact that the book isn't beautifully written or netn. It's just a literary 'blah'. I prefer Jane Austen; at least it wasn't ridiculously cheezy.
Aneways.. here's a picture of Edward. Cuz the success of this book is all thx to him!
I started reading Twilight.. and I must say I am part impressed and part dissapointed.
I am super impressed with the idea of a sexy vampire crazy attracted to a normal, ivory skinned girl. The imagination that this book leaves you with just drives you insane. You start putting urself in Bella's position.. start fantasizing.. lol. But that's only because of Edward.
The character of Edward is the ideal guy any girl would want to be with. He protects a girl, he fights for her, he spends almost all his time with her.. tells her the most sweetest yet bizzare things... AND he has eyes and a thirst/craving only for her. Shall I add that he is incredibly handsome and has a dangerous/mysterious side to him which brings spontaneity to the relationship. He definately challenges love vs. lust.. overall YUM!
Bella on the other hand- not so much of a yum. I tried to understand her.. but I failed. After reading the first book I felt like kicking her. At first it seemed she was this cool, reserved girl.. and I actually felt jealous she had this hot vampire stalking her. I get it. But then.. she argued with this sexy guy continuously about stupid shit. Get over urself..and enjoy being with him.. and for heaven sake SMILE! Her thoughts and feelings are all so depresseive. Like damn girl.. I don't get you.. I wouldn't wanna be with this depressing chick. Then she turns super obsessive and it got so ridiculously annoying...
Chapter 17- Edward I'm scared of losing you. I love you.
Chapter 18- Edward stay with me. I need you here.
Chapter 19- Edward promise me you'll never leave me. Stay the night. Don't let go of me.
Chapter 20- Edward I love you. I'm scared you could disappear.. tell me you love me. Tell me you'll never leave.
FU*K GIRL! He's gunna leave you cuz yuuuu soo CRAZY!
The other dissapointment, outside of Bella, is the fact that the book isn't beautifully written or netn. It's just a literary 'blah'. I prefer Jane Austen; at least it wasn't ridiculously cheezy.
Aneways.. here's a picture of Edward. Cuz the success of this book is all thx to him!
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Hurricane
The dialogue between Rubin "Hurricane" Carter and Lesra Martin from the movie "The Hurricane", 1999. The movie is based on a true story; a black boxer serving a sentence for something he did not do, a triple murder that was patched up by the New Jersey Police. The book, "The Sixteenth Round" was written by Rubin Carter in 1973; Carter was released in 1985.
-You see 'em much, your folks?
Yeah, but sometimes it's hard though. Yeah, well-
-Yeah, it's hard. You give them hope.
Yeah, I guess.
-You do. You give 'em hope because you have transcended, Lesra. It is very important to transcend the places that hold us. You know that? You've learned to read. You've learned to write. Writing is- It's magic. You feel that sometimes?
Yeah, I guess I do. Mm-hmm.
-When I started writing, I discovered that I was doing more than just telling a story.
See, writing is a weapon, and it's more powerful than a fist can ever be. Every time I sat down to write, I could rise above the walls of this prison. I could look out over the walls all across the state of New Jersey, and I could see Nelson Mandela in his cell writing his book. I could see Huey. I could see Dostoyevsky. I could see Victor Hugo, Emile Zola. And they would say to me, "Rube, what you doin' in there?" And I say, "Hey, I know all you guys."
It's magic, Lesra.
-You see 'em much, your folks?
Yeah, but sometimes it's hard though. Yeah, well-
-Yeah, it's hard. You give them hope.
Yeah, I guess.
-You do. You give 'em hope because you have transcended, Lesra. It is very important to transcend the places that hold us. You know that? You've learned to read. You've learned to write. Writing is- It's magic. You feel that sometimes?
Yeah, I guess I do. Mm-hmm.
-When I started writing, I discovered that I was doing more than just telling a story.
See, writing is a weapon, and it's more powerful than a fist can ever be. Every time I sat down to write, I could rise above the walls of this prison. I could look out over the walls all across the state of New Jersey, and I could see Nelson Mandela in his cell writing his book. I could see Huey. I could see Dostoyevsky. I could see Victor Hugo, Emile Zola. And they would say to me, "Rube, what you doin' in there?" And I say, "Hey, I know all you guys."
It's magic, Lesra.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Love in the Time of Cholera
I got this book for Christmas and read it right away!
I'm a sucker for romance novels lol. 
I'm a sucker for romance novels lol.
Anewho.. I really enjoyed this novel because it's plot is as simple as everyday life. It's simplicity is what makes it so powerful. The story is about an adventurous young man who falls in love with a girl who is from a family that depends on her growing into a successful, rich, lady. So in short, her father doesn't aprove of the young man's love letters> and he does not aprove of him courting his daughter. So the father of the girl takes her away for several years for her to realize that she deserves much better than that small town boy. Surely, the girl forgets about Florentino.. marries a doctor and has a happy life (I should mention the 2 kids as well). Now, because Florentino is a romantic.. he vows that he will wait for the girl even if it takes his whole life, for he knows that they will be together. In the meantime he has many (as much as 600) love affairs with women of all colours, shapes, and sizes lol. Almost 60 years later, the doctor of whom the young girl married, died. Florentino at once went to her and confessed his love. However, it took her another two years and 20 letters later to admit she always had feelings for Florentino. The novel ends with the elderly couple, happy, and at last enjoying a cruise in South America.
The movie is perfect. Captures all the important pieces of the novel.
http://www.megavideo.com/?v=S3S5GSVX
The movie is perfect. Captures all the important pieces of the novel.
http://www.megavideo.com/?v=S3S5GSVX
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Confessions of a ... part 2
So after I bashed the book "Confessions of a Shopaholic".. I came to the conclusion (after a heavy week of shopping) that I AM A SHOPAHOLIC in denial!
Ok ok. I'm not into the high priced shit and I don't necessarily follow all the trends.. but damn when I see a good deal or if there's somewhere hot to go and I have nothing to wear.. I JUST GO ALL OUT and SHOP!
I think I fall into the category of a "Recession Chick".. or being "recession chic" (http://www.chicintuition.com/).. proven by the following thought process :
So after being told on a night out (by someone who shall remain anonymous) that he/she didn't find my hoodie attractive, it got my wheels turning.. "I don't have any sweaters or good clothes for the colder months!". Well, maybe I do have 'some' nice things.. but pffttt they're worn out n flat from the previous winters (haha). Besides, me "not having" anything to wear was a perfect reason to get out to the mall n just float lookin at shit ;).
If I just happened to stummble upon smtn I liked.. it wouldn't hurt to try it on... 'n then possibly buy it.. and on my debit card of course. I like knowing that my purchases are mine from the moment I check it out. I hate having to wait a whole month to own smtn that I've already worn.. 'n pay for it on my visa.. cuz the amounts just pile higher 'n higher. That whole moment of seeing your bank account healthy and then depleted by the visa bill is just so depressing for me. I would literally grouch and bitch all day cuz the wait for another pay cheque is soo long.. Behold the miserable 2 weeks. Ugh...
So anewho, I went to a few stores and couldn't find anything that I liked and within my budget. I saw a couple of hoodies I liked for 60$ each. But I thought to myself.."my hoodie days are over, I want smtn' for the long run.. pfftt and cheaper!". So when I saw that Jacob was having a sale I barged in and was in heavveen! They had soo many rad sweaters and turtle necks and ponchos with little Nunavut designs.. and the best part was that they were reduced from 60$ to 20$ or 30$. SCORE!
So long story short.. I just happened to jump onto a nice sale.. saw smtn I liked.. tried it on.. and just happened to have my debit card with me. I eft the store with 4 sweaters .. and I got a chic re-usable bag for only a dollar (which originally cost 6$) HA!
Then I spotted smtn that I was after for the longest time! I was after a white sheer shirt with ruffles on the front which I saw on Gossip Girl (Blair wore it once> season two). I saw a very similar shirt in Mendocino for 70$ (it was on sale for 70.. *sigh). But I just had to have it cuz it was so cute! But no. I didn't get it for 70$.. that's so not me. In Forever 21 I stummbled upon a black shirt with slightly smaller ruffles.. for 30$. But it just didn't flow for me.. and it had a "butt ballerina piece" attached to it (an extended piece that you have to button at your crotch lol). Creative.. but too much work. So I went to UB and in a pale pink I found what it was I was looking for. Best part was that it was for 25$. YES!
A little more work goes a looonnggg way!
My fluffy shirt alongside one of my sweater purchases (the sweater I actually purchased at Tristan & America for 30$ reduced from 60$ lol).
Next on my shopping list: double layered necklace with a peace sign and tree (which I found at Urban Outfitters).. and maybe a bag (one with fringes which I saw at Forever 21)!
Ok ok. I'm not into the high priced shit and I don't necessarily follow all the trends.. but damn when I see a good deal or if there's somewhere hot to go and I have nothing to wear.. I JUST GO ALL OUT and SHOP!
I think I fall into the category of a "Recession Chick".. or being "recession chic" (http://www.chicintuition.com/).. proven by the following thought process :
So after being told on a night out (by someone who shall remain anonymous) that he/she didn't find my hoodie attractive, it got my wheels turning.. "I don't have any sweaters or good clothes for the colder months!". Well, maybe I do have 'some' nice things.. but pffttt they're worn out n flat from the previous winters (haha). Besides, me "not having" anything to wear was a perfect reason to get out to the mall n just float lookin at shit ;).
If I just happened to stummble upon smtn I liked.. it wouldn't hurt to try it on... 'n then possibly buy it.. and on my debit card of course. I like knowing that my purchases are mine from the moment I check it out. I hate having to wait a whole month to own smtn that I've already worn.. 'n pay for it on my visa.. cuz the amounts just pile higher 'n higher. That whole moment of seeing your bank account healthy and then depleted by the visa bill is just so depressing for me. I would literally grouch and bitch all day cuz the wait for another pay cheque is soo long.. Behold the miserable 2 weeks. Ugh...
So anewho, I went to a few stores and couldn't find anything that I liked and within my budget. I saw a couple of hoodies I liked for 60$ each. But I thought to myself.."my hoodie days are over, I want smtn' for the long run.. pfftt and cheaper!". So when I saw that Jacob was having a sale I barged in and was in heavveen! They had soo many rad sweaters and turtle necks and ponchos with little Nunavut designs.. and the best part was that they were reduced from 60$ to 20$ or 30$. SCORE!
So long story short.. I just happened to jump onto a nice sale.. saw smtn I liked.. tried it on.. and just happened to have my debit card with me. I eft the store with 4 sweaters .. and I got a chic re-usable bag for only a dollar (which originally cost 6$) HA!
Then I spotted smtn that I was after for the longest time! I was after a white sheer shirt with ruffles on the front which I saw on Gossip Girl (Blair wore it once> season two). I saw a very similar shirt in Mendocino for 70$ (it was on sale for 70.. *sigh). But I just had to have it cuz it was so cute! But no. I didn't get it for 70$.. that's so not me. In Forever 21 I stummbled upon a black shirt with slightly smaller ruffles.. for 30$. But it just didn't flow for me.. and it had a "butt ballerina piece" attached to it (an extended piece that you have to button at your crotch lol). Creative.. but too much work. So I went to UB and in a pale pink I found what it was I was looking for. Best part was that it was for 25$. YES!
A little more work goes a looonnggg way!
My fluffy shirt alongside one of my sweater purchases (the sweater I actually purchased at Tristan & America for 30$ reduced from 60$ lol).Next on my shopping list: double layered necklace with a peace sign and tree (which I found at Urban Outfitters).. and maybe a bag (one with fringes which I saw at Forever 21)!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Hmm... Men Vs. Women
"Man says to God: God why did you make her (woman) so beautiful? "
God says: "So you would love her"...
Man says to God: "but God, why did you make her so stupid?"
God says: "So she would love you"
The professor told his class one day:
"Today we will experiment with a new form called the tandem story. The process is simple. Each person will pair off with the person sitting to his or her immediate right. As homework tonight, one of you will write the first paragraph of a short story. You will e-mail your partner that paragraph and send another copy to me. The partner will read the first paragraph and then add another paragraph to the story and send it back, also sending another copy to me."
God says: "So you would love her"...
Man says to God: "but God, why did you make her so stupid?"
God says: "So she would love you"
I was chattin to a friend the other day and we had an interesting conversation about a book that he purchased (pictured left). What he told me really made my day, as I will share with you in this blog post, and hopefully it will do the same for you.
The professor told his class one day:
"Today we will experiment with a new form called the tandem story. The process is simple. Each person will pair off with the person sitting to his or her immediate right. As homework tonight, one of you will write the first paragraph of a short story. You will e-mail your partner that paragraph and send another copy to me. The partner will read the first paragraph and then add another paragraph to the story and send it back, also sending another copy to me."
The following was actually turned in by two of his English students Rebecca and Gary:
THE STORY
(first paragraph by Rebecca)
(first paragraph by Rebecca)
At first, Laurie couldn’t decide which kind of tea she wanted. The chamomile, which used to be her favourite for lazy evenings at home, now reminded her too much of Carl, who once said, in happier times, that he liked chamomile. But she felt she must now, at all costs, keep her mind off Carl. His possessiveness was suffocating, and if she thought about him too much her asthma started acting up again. So chamomile was out of the question.
(second paragraph by Gary)
Meanwhile, Advance Sergeant Carl Harris, leader of the attack squadron now in orbit over Skylon 4, had more important things to think about than the neuroses of an air-headed asthmatic bimbo named Laurie with whom he had spent one sweaty night over a year ago.
"A.S. Harris to Geostation 17," he said into his transgalactic communicator. "Polar orbit established. No sign of resistance so far…" But before he could sign off a bluish particle beam flashed out of nowhere and blasted a hole through his ship’s cargo bay. The jolt from the direct hit sent him flying out of his seat and across the cockpit.
"A.S. Harris to Geostation 17," he said into his transgalactic communicator. "Polar orbit established. No sign of resistance so far…" But before he could sign off a bluish particle beam flashed out of nowhere and blasted a hole through his ship’s cargo bay. The jolt from the direct hit sent him flying out of his seat and across the cockpit.
(Rebecca)
He bumped his head and died almost immediately, but not before he felt one last pang of regret for psychically brutalizing the one woman who had ever had feelings for him. Soon afterwards, Earth stopped its pointless hostilities towards the peaceful farmers of Skylon 4.
"Congress Passes Law Permanently Abolishing War and Space Travel," Laurie read in her newspaper one morning. The news simultaneously excited her and bored her. She stared out the window, dreaming of her youth, when the days had passed unhurried and carefree, with no newspaper to read, no television to distract her from her sense of innocent wonder at all the beautiful things around her. "Why must one lose one’s innocence to become a woman?" she pondered wistfully.
"Congress Passes Law Permanently Abolishing War and Space Travel," Laurie read in her newspaper one morning. The news simultaneously excited her and bored her. She stared out the window, dreaming of her youth, when the days had passed unhurried and carefree, with no newspaper to read, no television to distract her from her sense of innocent wonder at all the beautiful things around her. "Why must one lose one’s innocence to become a woman?" she pondered wistfully.
(Gary)
Little did she know, but she had less than 10 seconds to live. Thousands of miles above the city, the Anu’udrian mothership launched the first of its lithium fusion missiles. The dim-witted wimpy peaceniks who pushed the Unilateral Aerospace Disarmament Treaty through the congress had left Earth a defenseless target for the hostile alien empires who were determined to destroy the human race. Within two hours after the passage of the treaty the Anu’udrian ships were on course for Earth, carrying enough firepower to pulverize the entire planet. With no one to stop them, they swiftly initiated their diabolical plan. The lithium fusion missile entered the atmosphere unimpeded. The President, in his top-secret mobile submarine headquarters on the ocean floor off the coast of Guam, felt the inconceivably massive explosion, which vaporized poor, stupid Laurie.
(Rebecca)
This is absurd. I refuse to continue this mockery of literature. My writing partner is a violent, chauvinistic semi-literate adolescent.
(Gary)
(Gary)
Yeah? Well, my writing partner is a self-centered, tedious neurotic whose attempts at writing are the literary equivalent of Valium. "Oh, shall I have chamomile tea? Or shall I have some other sort of F–KING TEA??? Oh no, what am I to do? I’m such an air headed bimbo who reads too many Danielle Steele novels!"
(Rebecca)
Asshole.
(Gary)
Bitch.
(Rebecca)
F-CK YOU- YOU NEANDERTHAL!
(Gary)
Go drink some tea- whore.
(Professor)
A+, I really liked this one.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Confessions of a...
I have never been pissed off and frustrated at a book more than this one.
Come to think of it.. I've never felt like this about any book I've read.
Books are usually enjoyable.. or boring = ..but not enraging lol (k, maybe I exagerate).
It started out fine. I found it rather amusing how addicted this woman was to buying items with no limitations on budget or need. Despite the fact that her job (as a financial journalist) was rather low paying, she still made purchases that she reasoned were good investments.
For example, she purchased a bowl she thought was rather ugly.. BUT it was featured in Marie Claire and at a bargain price of 100 pounds (originally 500). Thus, she concluded she was saving money. There's also a never ending theme of "people will think of me as the ... girl". Whenever she made purchases, she said to herself "people will think of me as the Marie Claire bowl girl" or the "ppl will think of me as the Chanel scarf girl". But as she was having these wonderful thoughts.. she was in major debt (and in no hurry to pay anything off, just kept spending).
Overall 3 things I didn't like about this girl:
1. highly materialistic (meaning followed ALL the trends ALL the brand names)
2. she lied (lied A LOT, about everything, to everyone)
3. she was a walking contradiction (being in the finance industry, advising ppl about their money, while she was drowning in her debt)
Those 3 things bugged me immensely. The more I learned about her and the more I spent my days with her, the more she pissed me off. Everything she did went against what I believe in.
F. ex: there was a moment where I shut the book closed and refused to read it for 2 days. Rebecca Bloomwood took a job as a banker (to try and pay off her debt) but on her resume she lied that she spoke Finnish. During her interview, her boss took her to a Finnish representative of the Helsinki bank. In fact, the reason Becca was even being considered as a candidate for this job opportunity was to increase relations with the London- based bank and the Helsinki Bank (lol). When forced to speak the language, however, the girl muttered something.. stuttered.. and ran away (literally). *Sigh, that just flipped me out; wtf.
Aneways, I resumed reading the book.. because I felt sorry for it. I started it.. so I thought to myself that I should finish what I've begun. The only thing that I appreciated about the book was that there was a happy ending. After drowning in all her lies, all her debt, and all her depression.. Rebecca landed a job on television and luckily fell in love. The End. Thank God for that.
I am NOT reading the sequel.
Friday, December 19, 2008
King John of Canada
Let it snow, let it snow~ says the King of Winter.
On this beautiful snowy day I've begun reading a rather interesting book I picked up a couple of days ago from the library. The novel, specifically, "a novel of the near future" written by Scott Gardiner, is a political one that describes a series of accidents (or rather, political errors) that lead to a King of Canada. Imagine! A Canadian monarchy! I've read about 50 pages of the novel.. and it is something else! It is funny, clever, and enraging (at some points I just felt like slapping the author haha).. I am definately enjoying it!
Let me give you an example of something I found rather mind boggling:
"There's a game we used to play, a parlour game I guess you'd call it, the kind of riddle you can only have played on you once and then must play on others. We called it My Aunt Minnie, but I'm sure it goes by other names. The object of the game was to figure out why Aunt Minnie liked certain things but didn't like others. It was a logic game, with a very clear connection linking all of Minnie' preferences ( Aunt Minnie likes connections but not things joined). You played it with a group so those who'd figure it out could help torment those who hadn't. (Aunt Minnie likes puppies but she doesn't like dogs). The first stage drives you crazy- then comes epiphany- and much glee afterwards in adding to the distress of those for whom enlightenment hasn't yet descended: My Aunt Minnie likes the moon but doesn't like the sun. Aunt Minnie likes darkness but she doesn't like dark. Does she prefer the night or the day? Aunt Minnie likes neither night nor day- though Minnie is partial to the afternoon. As individual playes solved the puzzle, they'd begin to add their own contributions. Minnie likes kittens but she doesn't like cats. Minnie likes swimming but she doesn't like to have swum. Minnie hates autumns but she does love the fall...... Minnie likes any word with double letters" p.27
The author adds some Canadian history, mentions Canadian art, and there is even an international award that the King initiates- "the Golden Leaf" (somewhat like a Nobel Prize)! I haven't gotten to how the King becomes King.. it is written from the perspective of his best friend, the Royal advisor. I enjoy reading about things that are known to me- like the Muskoka woods, the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, and old city of Montreal (they're all mentioned).
Anewho to wrap this up.. all of this really sparks an interest in politics. I'm going to keep reading political novels.. no matter how boring they are (lol) because as a voter I need to understand this country (I've kinda lost track of what's what and who's who). Like, are we still a colony? a rhetorical question. I'm not quite understanding the governor general bit. I need to step back to Grade 8 Canadian history lol (talk about being honest :P) .. and all this asking her permission to run away from parliament? and the backstabbing of Harper? A coalition? WTF? who's side are these ppl on?
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Classics
During my spare time this week I've really gotten into watching some classic black and white (and not only) movies. I've never had the opportunity to watch these movies because 1. didn't have the "resources", 2. didn't have the need to do so, 3. i've been so focused on the future that I forgot about the past.
By resources, I mean an awesome website I discovered (well, my bf's fams discovered) that has every movie you can think of.. except HighSchool Musical3 (haha :P). Now the money which was put aside to purchase dvd's can be used to buy myself a berret (yes, a berret!). Hello awesome movie website! How much I love thee.
Number 3 is a tricky one to discuss. Yes, school has been on my mind a lot as of late which leads to my future. But another "future" factor, or "future" excuse- has been my focus on the new movies coming out soon. Ex. James Bond, Quantum of Solace Nov. 14- which looks sooo good! With all this limited excitement I forgot about those good ol' movies =(
Aneways, I just had had had to watch (in no particular order):
1. Casablanca (1942).. and I loved it! So smoky, smooth, and mysterious! About a love that is cursed by the war- and a husband that "comes back to life"- which ruins a new love that developed in his absence. A must see!
2. Sabrina (1955). Audrey Hepburn is adorable! I love her- such a collected, classy woman! the plot of the story is very good- also about love, or rather obsession.. and money! This movie ranks high in my fav romantic films (1. Notebook, 2. Pride and Prejudice, 3. Atonement**, 4. Sabrina)
**I just had to mention, Atonement, the movie is MUCH better than the book. I found the book a bit dull ( no offense to the author) lol- he didn't capture the 'love' as well as the movie did (one exception though is the author's description of the library love scene- THAT was very good-probably the best I've ever read).
3. The Birds (1960). Thriller, not really- Alfred Hitchock's Birds is a depiction of my life and your life, if 'the birds attacked. It's plot is slow and realistic- even scientifically reasonable lol. I liked it.
4. Jurassic Park (1995). Yes, for me this is a classic. I have not seen this movie up until now.. and WOW I am in love. Probably the best movie with precise (or rather correct) scientific explanations that are not thrown out of proportion. I would love to be that scientist working on that DNA sample! Aneways, the plot is exciting...
...unlike that of Jurassic Park III. I liked part III but to a certain extent. I thought Spielberg focused waayyy too much on the raptors being able to communicate- come on now, it was kinda cheesy the way the main character was trying to decipher what those dinosaurs were saying to eachother. I wonder if this is what his life's research led him to conclude: "lets just take the eggs" says Bob the Raptor, "no, lets eat the humans" says Steve the Raptor, "No, they look nice, I chewed on the other human- he didn't taste so good, I'm gunna take the eggs"... BAM! the raptors have feelings!- shit, is that a possible theme for Jurassic ParkIV? hope not.
5. Pretty Woman (199?3). A prostitute's dream come true! Damn that girl was lucky- she landed the Ace of Aces! shucks that Harrison Ford is a hunk! ..was a hunk, is a hunk.. was/is.. i dont know anymore (he looks ageless in Indiana Jones lol). I guess in a way they were both pretty women.. awwww *tear. True love.. but really? would you date a prostitute? This all seems kinda iffy. Aneways, thumbs up for the plot and idea-- which really shows us that anything is possible *insert Sarah Palin wink*.
By resources, I mean an awesome website I discovered (well, my bf's fams discovered) that has every movie you can think of.. except HighSchool Musical3 (haha :P). Now the money which was put aside to purchase dvd's can be used to buy myself a berret (yes, a berret!). Hello awesome movie website! How much I love thee.
Number 3 is a tricky one to discuss. Yes, school has been on my mind a lot as of late which leads to my future. But another "future" factor, or "future" excuse- has been my focus on the new movies coming out soon. Ex. James Bond, Quantum of Solace Nov. 14- which looks sooo good! With all this limited excitement I forgot about those good ol' movies =(
Aneways, I just had had had to watch (in no particular order):
1. Casablanca (1942).. and I loved it! So smoky, smooth, and mysterious! About a love that is cursed by the war- and a husband that "comes back to life"- which ruins a new love that developed in his absence. A must see!
2. Sabrina (1955). Audrey Hepburn is adorable! I love her- such a collected, classy woman! the plot of the story is very good- also about love, or rather obsession.. and money! This movie ranks high in my fav romantic films (1. Notebook, 2. Pride and Prejudice, 3. Atonement**, 4. Sabrina)
**I just had to mention, Atonement, the movie is MUCH better than the book. I found the book a bit dull ( no offense to the author) lol- he didn't capture the 'love' as well as the movie did (one exception though is the author's description of the library love scene- THAT was very good-probably the best I've ever read).
3. The Birds (1960). Thriller, not really- Alfred Hitchock's Birds is a depiction of my life and your life, if 'the birds attacked. It's plot is slow and realistic- even scientifically reasonable lol. I liked it.
4. Jurassic Park (1995). Yes, for me this is a classic. I have not seen this movie up until now.. and WOW I am in love. Probably the best movie with precise (or rather correct) scientific explanations that are not thrown out of proportion. I would love to be that scientist working on that DNA sample! Aneways, the plot is exciting...
...unlike that of Jurassic Park III. I liked part III but to a certain extent. I thought Spielberg focused waayyy too much on the raptors being able to communicate- come on now, it was kinda cheesy the way the main character was trying to decipher what those dinosaurs were saying to eachother. I wonder if this is what his life's research led him to conclude: "lets just take the eggs" says Bob the Raptor, "no, lets eat the humans" says Steve the Raptor, "No, they look nice, I chewed on the other human- he didn't taste so good, I'm gunna take the eggs"... BAM! the raptors have feelings!- shit, is that a possible theme for Jurassic ParkIV? hope not.
5. Pretty Woman (199?3). A prostitute's dream come true! Damn that girl was lucky- she landed the Ace of Aces! shucks that Harrison Ford is a hunk! ..was a hunk, is a hunk.. was/is.. i dont know anymore (he looks ageless in Indiana Jones lol). I guess in a way they were both pretty women.. awwww *tear. True love.. but really? would you date a prostitute? This all seems kinda iffy. Aneways, thumbs up for the plot and idea-- which really shows us that anything is possible *insert Sarah Palin wink*.
6. Romeo + Juliet (1996). *Starts to drool*.. Leeooo DiCaprio. Enough said.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Used Books? Why Not?
One man's junk is another man's treasure.
I was walking through a nice High Park neighbourhood and what I noticed was the amount of used bookstores in the area. Some were more prestigious looking than others. The others were cleanly kept, down to earth-type shops. I made an effort to go into as many as I could to feed my interest and curiosity. Throughout my journey, a thing I noticed was the love of books the owners of the shops contained. This was evident by the amount of knowledge they had on every piece of writing. I went into one store and asked for a book on poetry. The man led me to the "poetry section", a rather small dark brown book shelf, and began talking about the most popular works, popular poets, and why he chose to sell some books over others. I left that shop with a type of awe.. these stores are definately not your Indigo or Chapter stores.. where the service is, meh, arranged by computer catologues. Here I was presented with many insights, person to person, of what I was interested in. Another bonus were the cheap prices! Bargain prices! and honestly the books were in tip top shape!
I'm on the verge of starting a trend: used books! cheap prices! bargain-a-paloozeeee!
I was walking through a nice High Park neighbourhood and what I noticed was the amount of used bookstores in the area. Some were more prestigious looking than others. The others were cleanly kept, down to earth-type shops. I made an effort to go into as many as I could to feed my interest and curiosity. Throughout my journey, a thing I noticed was the love of books the owners of the shops contained. This was evident by the amount of knowledge they had on every piece of writing. I went into one store and asked for a book on poetry. The man led me to the "poetry section", a rather small dark brown book shelf, and began talking about the most popular works, popular poets, and why he chose to sell some books over others. I left that shop with a type of awe.. these stores are definately not your Indigo or Chapter stores.. where the service is, meh, arranged by computer catologues. Here I was presented with many insights, person to person, of what I was interested in. Another bonus were the cheap prices! Bargain prices! and honestly the books were in tip top shape!I'm on the verge of starting a trend: used books! cheap prices! bargain-a-paloozeeee!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Jane Does Not Fail to Amuse!
"The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love"- Marianne Dashwood.
I am on the verge of finishing yet another Jane Austin classic, "Sense and Sensibility", and as the title of this post suggests- it is quite entertaining!
*Small Spoiler:
After the death of their father and the loss of their estate (to their estranged brother), Mrs. Dashwood with her two daughters Marianne and Elinor accept an offer to leave the city and reside in a country cottage. Upon their arrival they are drawn to many social events by their close friends who constantly keep them entertained. Marianne, the younger and more spirited sister, falls head over heels with John Whiloughby, a young man who saved her from a (somewhat) damgerous fall. Their friendship and affection towards eachother grows. Everything is flowing perfectly (the dude even shows Marianne his estate, where "they will live when they get married"). In short, they are seriously in love. But this being a romantic, heart quenching novel, things can not stay this perfect! The young man suddenly claims he has to leave town and leaves the girl in a heartless manner. It was suspected that his mother opposed the connection ($$) and sent him to town as quick as possible. At the same time of this occurrence, the older sister, Elinor, left the city with regret for she left behind her beau, Edward Ferrars. However, with the constant social gatherings and introductions to new men, she quickly loses affection for him. The novel continues with a plot not suspected by the reader. Both sisters are deceived by their men. The story contains twists and turns, mistakes, false accusations, and assumptions based on rumours which are spread by inacurate sources. The whole story is a fun and romantic mess! It follows the emotions of the characters, those that are commonly experienced in a relationship.
I highly recommend this novel- a read that will take you back to the civility of the ladies and gentlemen of the 18th century.
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Prison
"the sea is a prison for the waves,
the beach a prison for the sea,
the fig tree a prison for the birds,
the four quarters are a prison for the day,
the day is a prison for the night,
the sky for the wind, the face for the eyes,
the stomach for hunger,the mind for the thoughts,
the mountain fo the earth,
the picture for the eye,
the soft scent for the nostrils,
the hair for the adorning flower,
every word a prison for the tongue,
your encircling arms are a prison for me:
oh do not open your arms and drive this bird away,
do not let the wings be cut off by the wind
that swallows the waves of the sea,
do not let the skull be split by lightning and thunder,
do not let the bird wander outside the nest of your mind
like and orphan, oh hold him fast,
do not relax your entwining fingers,
hold him, hold him... "
Ayyapa Paniker (B.1930)
Translated from Malayalam
the beach a prison for the sea,
the fig tree a prison for the birds,
the four quarters are a prison for the day,
the day is a prison for the night,
the sky for the wind, the face for the eyes,
the stomach for hunger,the mind for the thoughts,
the mountain fo the earth,
the picture for the eye,
the soft scent for the nostrils,
the hair for the adorning flower,
every word a prison for the tongue,
your encircling arms are a prison for me:
oh do not open your arms and drive this bird away,
do not let the wings be cut off by the wind
that swallows the waves of the sea,
do not let the skull be split by lightning and thunder,
do not let the bird wander outside the nest of your mind
like and orphan, oh hold him fast,
do not relax your entwining fingers,
hold him, hold him... "
Ayyapa Paniker (B.1930)
Translated from Malayalam
Monday, June 23, 2008
A Taste of Atonement
I'm on the hunt for a good book to read. I enjoy novels that capture a piece of history, teach me something about the world, however have in them a sufficient amount of romance =)
Lately I've been feeling encaptured by an optimistic aura, a feeling that love can outcompete all difficulties and problems. I feel like nothing can ground me- I don't want to be grounded- not yet. Reality chases all around- I have exams to finish- work to attend- I don't feel like surrendering my inner self to it. Let life chase me for a change!
Here's an excerpt from Atonement, which has grown popular over the past year. This is one of my fav. parts of the novel- where the two childhood friends discover their love for eachother. Throughout the novel, their love is tested, it grows- outlasts the difficulties of the second world war. Powerful!
[ He could only repeat to himself, this time in a whisper.
"I'm sorry.."
She was moving further away, toward the corner, into deeper shadow. Even though he thought she was recoiling from him, he took another couple of steps in her direction.
"It was a stupid thing. You were never meant to read it. No one was".
Still she shrank away. One elbow was resting on the shelves, and she seemed to slide along them, as though about to disappear between the books. It was only then that it occurred to him that she might not be shrinking from him, but drawing him with her deeper into the gloom. So he walked toward her slowly as she slipped back, until she was inthe corner where she stopped and watched him approach. He too stopped less than four feet away. He was close enough now, and there was just enough light, to see she was tearful and trying to speak. For the moment it was not possible and she shook her head to indicate that he should wait. She brought herself under controld and said, "It's been there for weeks..." Her throat constricted and she had to pause. Instantly, he had an idea what she meant, but he pushed it away. She drew a deep breath, then continued more reflectively, "Perhaps it's months. I don't know. But today... all day it's been strange. Everything has looked different- too sharp, too real. Even my own hands looked different. At other times I seem to be watching events as if they happened long ago. And all day I've been furious with you- and with myself. I thought I'd be perfectly happy never seeing you again. I thought you'd go off to medical school and I'd be happy. I was so angry with you."
She gave a tense little laugh.
Until now, her gaze had been lowered. When she spoke again she looked at him. He saw only the glimmer of her eyes.
"You knew before me. Something has happened, hasn't it? And you knew before me. It's like being close up to something so large you don't see it. Even now, I'm not sure I can. But I know it's there".
She looked down and waited.
"You do know what I'm talking about. Tell me you do". She was afraid that there was nothing shared at all, that all her assumptions were wrong and that with her words she had isolated herself further, and he would think she was a fool.
He moved nearer. "I do. I know it exactly. But why are you crying? Is there something else?"
Why was she crying? How could she begin to tell him when so much emotion, so many emotions, simply engulfed her? They stared at eachother in confusion, unable to speak, sensing that something delicately established might slip from them. That they were old friends who had shared a childhood was now a barrier- they were embarassed before their former selves. For the moment there seemed no way out with words.
He put his hands on her shoulders, and her bare skin was cool to the touch...]
(.. and then enclosed in the following three pages of the book is the best intimate scene I've ever read! worth the read!- I won't spoil it :P)
Atonement- Ian McEwan
Lately I've been feeling encaptured by an optimistic aura, a feeling that love can outcompete all difficulties and problems. I feel like nothing can ground me- I don't want to be grounded- not yet. Reality chases all around- I have exams to finish- work to attend- I don't feel like surrendering my inner self to it. Let life chase me for a change!
Here's an excerpt from Atonement, which has grown popular over the past year. This is one of my fav. parts of the novel- where the two childhood friends discover their love for eachother. Throughout the novel, their love is tested, it grows- outlasts the difficulties of the second world war. Powerful!
[ He could only repeat to himself, this time in a whisper.
"I'm sorry.."
She was moving further away, toward the corner, into deeper shadow. Even though he thought she was recoiling from him, he took another couple of steps in her direction.
"It was a stupid thing. You were never meant to read it. No one was".
Still she shrank away. One elbow was resting on the shelves, and she seemed to slide along them, as though about to disappear between the books. It was only then that it occurred to him that she might not be shrinking from him, but drawing him with her deeper into the gloom. So he walked toward her slowly as she slipped back, until she was inthe corner where she stopped and watched him approach. He too stopped less than four feet away. He was close enough now, and there was just enough light, to see she was tearful and trying to speak. For the moment it was not possible and she shook her head to indicate that he should wait. She brought herself under controld and said, "It's been there for weeks..." Her throat constricted and she had to pause. Instantly, he had an idea what she meant, but he pushed it away. She drew a deep breath, then continued more reflectively, "Perhaps it's months. I don't know. But today... all day it's been strange. Everything has looked different- too sharp, too real. Even my own hands looked different. At other times I seem to be watching events as if they happened long ago. And all day I've been furious with you- and with myself. I thought I'd be perfectly happy never seeing you again. I thought you'd go off to medical school and I'd be happy. I was so angry with you."
She gave a tense little laugh.
Until now, her gaze had been lowered. When she spoke again she looked at him. He saw only the glimmer of her eyes.
"You knew before me. Something has happened, hasn't it? And you knew before me. It's like being close up to something so large you don't see it. Even now, I'm not sure I can. But I know it's there".
She looked down and waited.
"You do know what I'm talking about. Tell me you do". She was afraid that there was nothing shared at all, that all her assumptions were wrong and that with her words she had isolated herself further, and he would think she was a fool.
He moved nearer. "I do. I know it exactly. But why are you crying? Is there something else?"
Why was she crying? How could she begin to tell him when so much emotion, so many emotions, simply engulfed her? They stared at eachother in confusion, unable to speak, sensing that something delicately established might slip from them. That they were old friends who had shared a childhood was now a barrier- they were embarassed before their former selves. For the moment there seemed no way out with words.
He put his hands on her shoulders, and her bare skin was cool to the touch...]
(.. and then enclosed in the following three pages of the book is the best intimate scene I've ever read! worth the read!- I won't spoil it :P)
Atonement- Ian McEwan
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