Less sin? No. Definitely not. I'm killing too many nuns as is. But I am listening to music.
I hate something. This is a tricky proposition that I really should get to the bottom of, but you know. I'd rather not. Sometimes it's better to fester. You can poke it for entertainment on a dull day. Not that it's ever a dull day in casa de Rishi.
By which I mean my brain.
We can debate the theological implications later; what's important now is that I reread and finished Garp. I like it more now. The book says a lot of things; in a way it's that superficial, shallow book that still manages to say something meaningful. Just to define what that meaningfulness is a relatively thankless job. I suppose you could primarily boil it down to a novel about a novelist, written snappily, with writing tips along the way.
It's weird, though, because there are so many things in it that are oddly metafictive and self-referential, and yet the author eschews the severely postmodern anyway. He mentions in the afterword for his motivations for this to be a character-based novel, and obviously maintains that, but still.
The other issue is of control: Back in the days of 4-unit, something I picked up from that awesome prof was the large works are harder to control. It's relatively easy to control a 40 minute essay; that much harder to control a 2000 word piece. So it kinda got me thinking on how he was able to maintain control over this 500-odd page behemoth. He's done a commendable job, but damn, this thing sprawls so much it could become a national trailer park. It was his breakout novel and all, and it's turned out well.
It's a good book though. Worth reading once. Twice even. I read it twice mostly because I was rather uninspired the first time, it being a character based novel and all. But I suppose it was just a case of cold feet. Or something.
I'm reading the collected short stories of Roald Dahl (which is just so unfair, as it's something like 6 different short story collections, but i'm counting it as only one book) and he's a weird fellow. I've read one collection, possibly his most famous, or because i've read that one before. I like it. More on that later when I finish.
I finally have a day off, and yet I have to several piddly things like bodily functions, call that place which I forget, change or atleast procrastinate and agonise over changing my prefs, and listen to Franz. The latter is good though. I also got This Fffire, which is sorta a remix/BETTER version of This Fire. Tschuss Tschuss! (imagine the umlauts are there. Just imagine.)
Two things that I must write down: line from Chrno Crusade "No, I spent most of my time trying to keep my family from hating me."
And this:
"What's the opposite of heaven?!"
"Hell!"
"What's the opposite of float!?"
"Sink!...Helsinki?!"
- correct answer to question in Articulate, with me answering, and Kyle questioning.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Saturday, December 24, 2005
I finished another book!
Well, this is really my third, but i'm not counting one of them yet as I have doubts to it's accuracy.
2. The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck.
Well, it's a classic for a reason I guess. This books hurts. A lot. The opening chapter is one the most memorable and heart-breaking that i've ever read. There's a whole lotta things you could say about this books. It's definitely worth reading though.
There's an interesting little afterword written by Bernard A. Weisberger in the edition of the book I read (the Reader's Digest one, if you're interested) and I think it sums the books very well. The book is odd in that it's essentially a period piece, yet has someone managed to outlive its period. You could describe this book as that pioneer roadtrip gone horribly horribly wrong. And that's no joke.
Steinbeck splices interludes within the first-person experiences of the book, and he's able to write third-person in a very engaging manner that's sometimes more interesting than that of the first person. "Steinbeck wrote the book in layers, in order to rip the nerves of its readers to rags by making them participate in the actuality," and I think he's done that very well. This is essentially a story about the forgotten man, who is now made unforgettable.
On another note, I watched Searching for Bobby Fischer. Not having read the book, i'm unable to compare it to that, but as a film it has merit. It's about Joshua Waitzkin, or as I call him, "The Josh", the chess prodigy who ends up being a National Master at 13 and an International Master at 16. That's one rank away from Grandmaster. I'd heard of the movie, and wasn't sure what it is about, thinking it was about the mysterious disappearence of Bobby Fischer all those years ago. It started with the focus on the little kid, and I wasn't sure where it was going until about 15 mins in, when chess is first mentioned. Then all the connections kick in, like how they seem to casually mention that he's turning seven, and the fact there are interludes about Bobby Fischer. I realise it's "The Josh." The movie has a surprisingly good cast: Ben Kingsley, a trim Lawrence Fishburne (Does living inside the Matrix make you fat?), awesome and lovable William H. Macy looking all grizzled and manly (it's doesn't suit him, but don't tell him that. Plus he got great lines in the movie.) Max Pomeranc, who plays Josh, does a very good job, for a child actor having to play a chess prodigy. The entire cast put on a great performance, under what is obviously the able direction of Steven Zaillian. Granted, parts of the movie are a little overly dramatic, but I haven't seen such a gripping and endearing movie about chess. Ever.
2. The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck.
Well, it's a classic for a reason I guess. This books hurts. A lot. The opening chapter is one the most memorable and heart-breaking that i've ever read. There's a whole lotta things you could say about this books. It's definitely worth reading though.
There's an interesting little afterword written by Bernard A. Weisberger in the edition of the book I read (the Reader's Digest one, if you're interested) and I think it sums the books very well. The book is odd in that it's essentially a period piece, yet has someone managed to outlive its period. You could describe this book as that pioneer roadtrip gone horribly horribly wrong. And that's no joke.
Steinbeck splices interludes within the first-person experiences of the book, and he's able to write third-person in a very engaging manner that's sometimes more interesting than that of the first person. "Steinbeck wrote the book in layers, in order to rip the nerves of its readers to rags by making them participate in the actuality," and I think he's done that very well. This is essentially a story about the forgotten man, who is now made unforgettable.
On another note, I watched Searching for Bobby Fischer. Not having read the book, i'm unable to compare it to that, but as a film it has merit. It's about Joshua Waitzkin, or as I call him, "The Josh", the chess prodigy who ends up being a National Master at 13 and an International Master at 16. That's one rank away from Grandmaster. I'd heard of the movie, and wasn't sure what it is about, thinking it was about the mysterious disappearence of Bobby Fischer all those years ago. It started with the focus on the little kid, and I wasn't sure where it was going until about 15 mins in, when chess is first mentioned. Then all the connections kick in, like how they seem to casually mention that he's turning seven, and the fact there are interludes about Bobby Fischer. I realise it's "The Josh." The movie has a surprisingly good cast: Ben Kingsley, a trim Lawrence Fishburne (Does living inside the Matrix make you fat?), awesome and lovable William H. Macy looking all grizzled and manly (it's doesn't suit him, but don't tell him that. Plus he got great lines in the movie.) Max Pomeranc, who plays Josh, does a very good job, for a child actor having to play a chess prodigy. The entire cast put on a great performance, under what is obviously the able direction of Steven Zaillian. Granted, parts of the movie are a little overly dramatic, but I haven't seen such a gripping and endearing movie about chess. Ever.
You ain't got the Grapes.
I'll leave you alone to figure that one out.
"Such wild passion. It's going to get you killed."
"Such sane indifference. You're already dead."
Sp pls was nice. Jazz is fun. And loud. And why had no one informed me that Christmas is here? I only realised about 10 mins ago that it was Christmas. My date and time landmarks have kinda changed. The only thing December 24 has meant to me for the past coupla weeks is that the milk expires that day. Also, Christmas Eve sucked for me. Had a great couple of days preceding it; but Eve itself was slightly hungovery and much too hot. I did manage to finish one great book though. And I caught a great movie.
Ok so it wasn't all bad.
But damn, I hate that feeling that I'm running out of things to do. I've finished watching my Buffy, including commentaries and extras; Finished my Reno; and am 8/24 eps into Chrno Crusade, a very nice and watchable show, meaning 8/24 could turn into 21/24 overnight. Goddamn it.
Which is why i'm trying to get into the book scene as such. And moofies. Cause moofies are fun. Did I mention I watched a good one? I miss Piscourse.
My blogging and my general internet presence (as opposed to my spiritual presence, which has grown ever more televangeliy) has become more infrequent, due to my horredous (ab)use of downloading bandwidth. What, it was only like...15 gigs? It's annoying when you spend nearly 54 seconds waiting to log in.
Mmmmm, jelly. I'll sleep after I do reviews, because I have work tomorrie. Yay, I get free movie! One of my brothers friends bought tickets for Chronicles of Narnia on Christmas. I have no idea why I am one of those people, but I'm not one of them reds who agitate. I won't say anything about tie-ins, cept that Jesus sold out. Hardcore.
Wait.
"Ha ha ha...rassment." Night.
"Such wild passion. It's going to get you killed."
"Such sane indifference. You're already dead."
Sp pls was nice. Jazz is fun. And loud. And why had no one informed me that Christmas is here? I only realised about 10 mins ago that it was Christmas. My date and time landmarks have kinda changed. The only thing December 24 has meant to me for the past coupla weeks is that the milk expires that day. Also, Christmas Eve sucked for me. Had a great couple of days preceding it; but Eve itself was slightly hungovery and much too hot. I did manage to finish one great book though. And I caught a great movie.
Ok so it wasn't all bad.
But damn, I hate that feeling that I'm running out of things to do. I've finished watching my Buffy, including commentaries and extras; Finished my Reno; and am 8/24 eps into Chrno Crusade, a very nice and watchable show, meaning 8/24 could turn into 21/24 overnight. Goddamn it.
Which is why i'm trying to get into the book scene as such. And moofies. Cause moofies are fun. Did I mention I watched a good one? I miss Piscourse.
My blogging and my general internet presence (as opposed to my spiritual presence, which has grown ever more televangeliy) has become more infrequent, due to my horredous (ab)use of downloading bandwidth. What, it was only like...15 gigs? It's annoying when you spend nearly 54 seconds waiting to log in.
Mmmmm, jelly. I'll sleep after I do reviews, because I have work tomorrie. Yay, I get free movie! One of my brothers friends bought tickets for Chronicles of Narnia on Christmas. I have no idea why I am one of those people, but I'm not one of them reds who agitate. I won't say anything about tie-ins, cept that Jesus sold out. Hardcore.
Wait.
"Ha ha ha...rassment." Night.
Monday, December 19, 2005
What's the most sacred thing to a man?
"Uh, bicycles?"
"Ham?!"
If you can't guess the source, then you must acquit? No wait, that's OJ.
I like OJ. Orange juice that is.
"First you had OJ, then you had Rodney, and now it's Jonesy!"
I like well made knives. They have that pretty ring to them when you rub them against things, and a well-made knife is a joy to use. It may be the murderous homemaker inside me, but I like chopping things up.
Most namely, something I chopped up was a stiffening product (and still is, in certain circles, i'm guessing...Goddamn Amish). No it was not a hand. It was starch, and the vessel for that starch, potatoes. The stories like this: I come home. I have no food. There are some potatoes. I decide to make mashed potatoes. I start boiling water, only to be interrupted by the walking of dog ritual. Then came back, cooked them, only to notice I lacked butter. And I mean real butter, none of the margarine crap. Actual freaking butter. So off I ran to Woolworths, picked up some butter, then proceeded to further cook my mashed potatoes. The most basic recipe of mashed potatoes ever. Potatoes, milk, butter, salt. Yes, I am a genius.
It was only when I had eaten most of it that I realised I had some wasabi! Granted, this wasabi was a little old, and I could tell this because it started tasting sweet, but wasabi nevertheless. It works really well. The starchy sweetness of the potato is balanced by the wasabi; the potato makes sure you don't get those nauseating headspins when wasabi directly sticks to the roof of you mouth. Or palate, as it is formally called. Screw you Gray's Anatomy, the clitoris don't exist in my book.
Seeing other people was nice, Crosbie must really hate himself. For being white. The UAI is meh. I don't know why Jared was stalking me, and it was a good thing I didn't ask.
Cause he is you know. White.
Still hungry. I finished all of Reno; nearly finished all of my available Buffbuff; have to start on my belated R.O.D. Though I went through one major story arc, got annoyed at the glitchyness and have decided to put it off. Might do a review soon for a book. I really must sleep. But I think I feel an omelette coming. Or maybe even scrambled eggs! Whatever works out. And toast. God so much toast. People do some silly things sometimes.
LIKE OPEN A FRESH LOAF OF BREAD WHEN ONE IS ALREADY OPEN. Grrrr.
Did mention how much I hate wastage? But not wasabi. Now I am going to try wasabi with everything. Even camel.
I like cooking more because it isn't that I want to eat good food all the time, but more because it's an experience into itself. I fuck things up major, and allows me to do something I truly excel at: Cleaning. Okay i'm not that good, but i'm taking a correspondence course in it and i'll have my cleaners diploma within months! Weeks even!
Now I am off to think of a suitable honours thesis for that subject. Night.
"Ham?!"
If you can't guess the source, then you must acquit? No wait, that's OJ.
I like OJ. Orange juice that is.
"First you had OJ, then you had Rodney, and now it's Jonesy!"
I like well made knives. They have that pretty ring to them when you rub them against things, and a well-made knife is a joy to use. It may be the murderous homemaker inside me, but I like chopping things up.
Most namely, something I chopped up was a stiffening product (and still is, in certain circles, i'm guessing...Goddamn Amish). No it was not a hand. It was starch, and the vessel for that starch, potatoes. The stories like this: I come home. I have no food. There are some potatoes. I decide to make mashed potatoes. I start boiling water, only to be interrupted by the walking of dog ritual. Then came back, cooked them, only to notice I lacked butter. And I mean real butter, none of the margarine crap. Actual freaking butter. So off I ran to Woolworths, picked up some butter, then proceeded to further cook my mashed potatoes. The most basic recipe of mashed potatoes ever. Potatoes, milk, butter, salt. Yes, I am a genius.
It was only when I had eaten most of it that I realised I had some wasabi! Granted, this wasabi was a little old, and I could tell this because it started tasting sweet, but wasabi nevertheless. It works really well. The starchy sweetness of the potato is balanced by the wasabi; the potato makes sure you don't get those nauseating headspins when wasabi directly sticks to the roof of you mouth. Or palate, as it is formally called. Screw you Gray's Anatomy, the clitoris don't exist in my book.
Seeing other people was nice, Crosbie must really hate himself. For being white. The UAI is meh. I don't know why Jared was stalking me, and it was a good thing I didn't ask.
Cause he is you know. White.
Still hungry. I finished all of Reno; nearly finished all of my available Buffbuff; have to start on my belated R.O.D. Though I went through one major story arc, got annoyed at the glitchyness and have decided to put it off. Might do a review soon for a book. I really must sleep. But I think I feel an omelette coming. Or maybe even scrambled eggs! Whatever works out. And toast. God so much toast. People do some silly things sometimes.
LIKE OPEN A FRESH LOAF OF BREAD WHEN ONE IS ALREADY OPEN. Grrrr.
Did mention how much I hate wastage? But not wasabi. Now I am going to try wasabi with everything. Even camel.
I like cooking more because it isn't that I want to eat good food all the time, but more because it's an experience into itself. I fuck things up major, and allows me to do something I truly excel at: Cleaning. Okay i'm not that good, but i'm taking a correspondence course in it and i'll have my cleaners diploma within months! Weeks even!
Now I am off to think of a suitable honours thesis for that subject. Night.
Before you do anything, get some Band-aids.
Safe.
I haven't being updating this thing. It's because i'm lazy. And seemingly constantly, constantly busy. It's kinda scary. But you get used to it. Fun though.
Nearly finished another season of Buffy, Willow and Tara haven't made with the happy yet, and it's a little frustrating. Just do it already and then worry about the profitable and sexy consequences later. And can you say Lust Bunnies? Now Buffbuff is tainted. And I will have to clean her out. I'm going to require holy water and my tongue.
To chant.
I'm already feeling the old effects. I wake up tired, my sides hurt and I complain frequently about my sciatica. I wonder where that is. My burner is on the fritz. Make it stop being what could potentially be a copyright suit worth millions to a snack food company.
I finished another book, and very nearly finished another one, only interrupted by the crass demands of my flesh, and the even crasser demands of my mother to come home, but i'm not entirely sure whether it's legal as such to allow me count them as official, bookwise. I might just anyway, because it is a series I really like and would want others to read.
I am beset by hilarity on all sides. Woe is me. Inexplicably tired. Sleeping is odd and unsatisfying. So unlike staying up late at night trawling sites of coffee and digging. Have done nothing of decent responsibility in the past couple of days. Something is horribly, horribly right. Oh dear god, just realised UAI barbecue is on today. Shit. Should probably sleep for that. I will need sufficient energy to be overawed at the sheer weight of Crosbie's UAI. I presume it will get him a pass to see the Queen. Or atleast the damn secret cabal of powerful African-American leaders from the business, political, and entertainment industries working together to ensure that the third season of Chappelle's Show would never happen.
You think I kid? I kid you not.
I haven't being updating this thing. It's because i'm lazy. And seemingly constantly, constantly busy. It's kinda scary. But you get used to it. Fun though.
Nearly finished another season of Buffy, Willow and Tara haven't made with the happy yet, and it's a little frustrating. Just do it already and then worry about the profitable and sexy consequences later. And can you say Lust Bunnies? Now Buffbuff is tainted. And I will have to clean her out. I'm going to require holy water and my tongue.
To chant.
I'm already feeling the old effects. I wake up tired, my sides hurt and I complain frequently about my sciatica. I wonder where that is. My burner is on the fritz. Make it stop being what could potentially be a copyright suit worth millions to a snack food company.
I finished another book, and very nearly finished another one, only interrupted by the crass demands of my flesh, and the even crasser demands of my mother to come home, but i'm not entirely sure whether it's legal as such to allow me count them as official, bookwise. I might just anyway, because it is a series I really like and would want others to read.
I am beset by hilarity on all sides. Woe is me. Inexplicably tired. Sleeping is odd and unsatisfying. So unlike staying up late at night trawling sites of coffee and digging. Have done nothing of decent responsibility in the past couple of days. Something is horribly, horribly right. Oh dear god, just realised UAI barbecue is on today. Shit. Should probably sleep for that. I will need sufficient energy to be overawed at the sheer weight of Crosbie's UAI. I presume it will get him a pass to see the Queen. Or atleast the damn secret cabal of powerful African-American leaders from the business, political, and entertainment industries working together to ensure that the third season of Chappelle's Show would never happen.
You think I kid? I kid you not.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Now it's laziness
Before it was good old-fashioned sloth.
I love ferrets. They smell bad. They get into everything they shouldn't. They eat catfood. All of these things are personal dreams of mine.
-JS
Why did no one mention that Niego was awesome? I started reading it after the announcements of imminent doom about the strip started coming up, and it's funny from the second strip. That's pretty good yo. Though I may just catch up on Bonus stage as well.
What the hell? I'm playing Alpha Centauri as the crazed warrior woman. I make a few smart moves at the beginning; i'm pinned in by two other factions on a small island, and realise I would get owned if I did nothing. So I move in, eradicate one, subvert/eradicate the other, and take control of the entire island. And now i'm being kept in check by the Peacekeepers. You must be kidding me. Fuck you dramatic irony. Now I can't get control of the U.N., in a seething war with a despot who refuses to stop it for a second so that atleast we could both build up troops, leading to me wearing him down over and over and over again, and just stabbed the CEO in the back in order to get the Fundies on my side.
Such is life.
More Niego genius:
"So you're an independantly wealthy young man orphaned at an young age?
"Mmm..."
"Like Batman!"
I love ferrets. They smell bad. They get into everything they shouldn't. They eat catfood. All of these things are personal dreams of mine.
-JS
Why did no one mention that Niego was awesome? I started reading it after the announcements of imminent doom about the strip started coming up, and it's funny from the second strip. That's pretty good yo. Though I may just catch up on Bonus stage as well.
What the hell? I'm playing Alpha Centauri as the crazed warrior woman. I make a few smart moves at the beginning; i'm pinned in by two other factions on a small island, and realise I would get owned if I did nothing. So I move in, eradicate one, subvert/eradicate the other, and take control of the entire island. And now i'm being kept in check by the Peacekeepers. You must be kidding me. Fuck you dramatic irony. Now I can't get control of the U.N., in a seething war with a despot who refuses to stop it for a second so that atleast we could both build up troops, leading to me wearing him down over and over and over again, and just stabbed the CEO in the back in order to get the Fundies on my side.
Such is life.
More Niego genius:
"So you're an independantly wealthy young man orphaned at an young age?
"Mmm..."
"Like Batman!"
Saturday, December 10, 2005
I've had a shockingly good time
Or so they tell me.
Why do I get that feeling that I'm going to have to visit that therapist in a while from now? Is it because you're watching me...judging me? Why God why?
I won game of Alpha Centauri! By Transcendence no less. In your face God! What you got? (Off to read Beyond Good and Evil now...)
This is my first post in a hella long while, first proper one since schoolies anyway, meaning the book ones don't count. You savvy?
A little note: I'm just back from Anna (possibly a banana; the coroner's still out on that one) so i'm a tiny bit tipsy/imbibed with alcohol/poison. Forgive typos please.
Schoolies was...AWESOME. Seriously, I could not have had a more fun time. Ridiculous. Even the one night where I felt bad and even cried, AWESOME. It was an AWESOME crying incident. Just could not have asked for better. I even got some; my soul is gratifying like that.
I've had this amazingly good run from schoolies till about now; this doesn't mean that the good run has ended. Going out to buy tickets, reading like crazy, watching stuff I like, being free...Fun. Really is. Aw hell, I even went out to a hippie commune thingy. I wish I could have invited you guys. Twas fun. There were breasts! Nekkid ones!
After schoolies, Piscourse's LAN. Seriously, he needs to become...LESS attractive. I kinda/sorta fell in love with him during that LAN, and i'm glad/unhappy I won't see him for the next 4 weeks or so. So so unfair. WHY? It complicates shit, yet, i'm hoping to deal with it. I should, as he is more cool that I thought, and hopefully, he gets something...ANYTHING. Even a plant. It'll help me atleast.
And Fox? Damn, that boy has had much too much an influence on my life as it is. I didn't really get him, then, I did. It makes wayyyyy more sense now. Good or bad? You decide.
Buffy = hot.
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) + Faith (Eliza Dushku) + we're dancing in that possible lesbian way = WAY HOT.
No, not watching Buffy word porn at all. Nope.
Damn you Joss Whedon!
I am le tired. So I may, I may just go and have a say, 12 hour nap. Fuuuuuuun. Or not, you know. I have to get back to reading like the good little boy boy I am. Cause you know, it is what I do. Rize is good. Watchworthy I guess. Night.
Why do I get that feeling that I'm going to have to visit that therapist in a while from now? Is it because you're watching me...judging me? Why God why?
I won game of Alpha Centauri! By Transcendence no less. In your face God! What you got? (Off to read Beyond Good and Evil now...)
This is my first post in a hella long while, first proper one since schoolies anyway, meaning the book ones don't count. You savvy?
A little note: I'm just back from Anna (possibly a banana; the coroner's still out on that one) so i'm a tiny bit tipsy/imbibed with alcohol/poison. Forgive typos please.
Schoolies was...AWESOME. Seriously, I could not have had a more fun time. Ridiculous. Even the one night where I felt bad and even cried, AWESOME. It was an AWESOME crying incident. Just could not have asked for better. I even got some; my soul is gratifying like that.
I've had this amazingly good run from schoolies till about now; this doesn't mean that the good run has ended. Going out to buy tickets, reading like crazy, watching stuff I like, being free...Fun. Really is. Aw hell, I even went out to a hippie commune thingy. I wish I could have invited you guys. Twas fun. There were breasts! Nekkid ones!
After schoolies, Piscourse's LAN. Seriously, he needs to become...LESS attractive. I kinda/sorta fell in love with him during that LAN, and i'm glad/unhappy I won't see him for the next 4 weeks or so. So so unfair. WHY? It complicates shit, yet, i'm hoping to deal with it. I should, as he is more cool that I thought, and hopefully, he gets something...ANYTHING. Even a plant. It'll help me atleast.
And Fox? Damn, that boy has had much too much an influence on my life as it is. I didn't really get him, then, I did. It makes wayyyyy more sense now. Good or bad? You decide.
Buffy = hot.
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) + Faith (Eliza Dushku) + we're dancing in that possible lesbian way = WAY HOT.
No, not watching Buffy word porn at all. Nope.
Damn you Joss Whedon!
I am le tired. So I may, I may just go and have a say, 12 hour nap. Fuuuuuuun. Or not, you know. I have to get back to reading like the good little boy boy I am. Cause you know, it is what I do. Rize is good. Watchworthy I guess. Night.
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