Well, what to say... I finally got my beach. And man, sitting in the sun sipping cola was never so good, the taffy was merely icing on the cake. Irony of ironies, I open a friend's site and was greated with a picture of some of us at Neskowin in December. Strange, how much I miss that. Things have definately been great since then, and will continue being so, but things were simpler then. We weren't leaving then.
Andrew, lead singing of Something Corporate and side-project Jack's Mannequin, was diagnosed with leukimia last month. He's like 6 years older than us, if that, and he's battling for his life. Good news is he seems to be in remission now, but who can say. Regardless, check out JM if you get bored...its sorta a combo of SoCo and Ben Folds. Only not as drunk.
Is it possible for the world to look this way forever? I can only hope...
I love you!
I'm not sure whether I should be proud or not, but I once again aquired the new Harry Potter "novel" at midnight when it was released and had it finished in under 24 hours. (This time, I actually finished it at 11:30 PM Saturday but took easily under 6 hours to read it...12-2, 10-12, 9:30-11:30 were the blocks of time I set aside to read but I had my laptop open the whole time and was easily distracted.) The lack of pride comes form my lack of belief in the series's literary value or quality as writing, hence the quote's around novel. If I may elaborate, obviously the first book impressed me enough that I have read all subsequent ones. However, Rowling does not write like a writer should (in my admitadly biased opinion). Throughout her stories, I notice elementary "mistakes" that would cost my points, or at least my pride as a writer, were I to be guilty of them. For no stylistic or apparently intentional reason, Rowling will repeat the same verb (read, noticed, etc.) in multiple subsequent sentences, repitition that makes the writing feel bland and boring. Grammer (complex sentences, anyone?) seems almost overlooked as the books practically demean themselves to that hateful "children's" category. Now, I've never agreed they are "children's books", whatever anyone else will say. Certainly there are concepts, jokes, and "scenes" that qualify as adult and fly right over the head of any child reader. Yet the writing lacks the flair and elegance of writing, even trash sci-fi, intended for a more-literate audience.
*Spoilers Ahead*
Now we get to the heart of my complaints. The appeal to HP for me has always been the total immersion in a seemingly well-developed and complete, logical world. By accepting a few premises, (the existance of magic, etc.) one can easily relate to the universe Rowling created. Even more, she ties it back to mundane life though the coming-of-age elements and maturation of the charecters. The reader readily notices the growth in the youthful heroes and notices something of their own life therein, again increasing the plausibility. The novels use this element as a major hook for the reader. These are (were?) not simple stories of good fighting evil, the battle against Voldemort is relagated to the background for much of the story while Rowling focuses on that all-important character growth. Yet in this most recent installment, I felt the charecters had backslide. Harry was once again overconfident, cocky, and plain stupid. I honestly found it impossible to relate to him in his complaints of "no one beleiving him".
Furthermore, the school and sports plots are mere tokens. Rowling seems unable to do away with them completely but makes them souless mockeries of their former selves. Obviously, they must be de-emphasized according to the plot she has written, but the manner in which this is accmplished feels contrived and half-hearted. Fan-fic readers will surely be pleased with the romatic aspects of this story, but that aspect too seems a mere gesture. Finally, and most unforgivably, the 20 pages of "action" are almost as terrible as those occuring in the Ministry previously. There was no interest to me and the major "plot twist" moment was expected and out of character.
All in all, I enjoyed the book not half as much as I would have liked yet still enough that I sped through it. Not terrible, but far from what I had hoped for. Then again, I've felt the stories going downhill from about the 4th one on.
Other news...driving home on Sunset highway is like being surrounded by golden fog with funny creatures with pale blue eyes chasing you while their red eyed friends try and cut you off.
Credt for all the AP's is nice.
I think I have my room assignment, but I won't be sure for a few days...I seem to be in a double in Standford hall which is most centrally located. We'll see if that's true, though.
I love you!
I'm not sure whether I should be proud or not, but I once again aquired the new Harry Potter "novel" at midnight when it was released and had it finished in under 24 hours. (This time, I actually finished it at 11:30 PM Saturday but took easily under 6 hours to read it...12-2, 10-12, 9:30-11:30 were the blocks of time I set aside to read but I had my laptop open the whole time and was easily distracted.) The lack of pride comes form my lack of belief in the series's literary value or quality as writing, hence the quote's around novel. If I may elaborate, obviously the first book impressed me enough that I have read all subsequent ones. However, Rowling does not write like a writer should (in my admitadly biased opinion). Throughout her stories, I notice elementary "mistakes" that would cost my points, or at least my pride as a writer, were I to be guilty of them. For no stylistic or apparently intentional reason, Rowling will repeat the same verb (read, noticed, etc.) in multiple subsequent sentences, repitition that makes the writing feel bland and boring. Grammer (complex sentences, anyone?) seems almost overlooked as the books practically demean themselves to that hateful "children's" category. Now, I've never agreed they are "children's books", whatever anyone else will say. Certainly there are concepts, jokes, and "scenes" that qualify as adult and fly right over the head of any child reader. Yet the writing lacks the flair and elegance of writing, even trash sci-fi, intended for a more-literate audience.
*Spoilers Ahead*
Now we get to the heart of my complaints. The appeal to HP for me has always been the total immersion in a seemingly well-developed and complete, logical world. By accepting a few premises, (the existance of magic, etc.) one can easily relate to the universe Rowling created. Even more, she ties it back to mundane life though the coming-of-age elements and maturation of the charecters. The reader readily notices the growth in the youthful heroes and notices something of their own life therein, again increasing the plausibility. The novels use this element as a major hook for the reader. These are (were?) not simple stories of good fighting evil, the battle against Voldemort is relagated to the background for much of the story while Rowling focuses on that all-important character growth. Yet in this most recent installment, I felt the charecters had backslide. Harry was once again overconfident, cocky, and plain stupid. I honestly found it impossible to relate to him in his complaints of "no one beleiving him".
Furthermore, the school and sports plots are mere tokens. Rowling seems unable to do away with them completely but makes them souless mockeries of their former selves. Obviously, they must be de-emphasized according to the plot she has written, but the manner in which this is accmplished feels contrived and half-hearted. Fan-fic readers will surely be pleased with the romatic aspects of this story, but that aspect too seems a mere gesture. Finally, and most unforgivably, the 20 pages of "action" are almost as terrible as those occuring in the Ministry previously. There was no interest to me and the major "plot twist" moment was expected and out of character.
All in all, I enjoyed the book not half as much as I would have liked yet still enough that I sped through it. Not terrible, but far from what I had hoped for. Then again, I've felt the stories going downhill from about the 4th one on.
Other news...driving home on Sunset highway is like being surrounded by golden fog with funny creatures with pale blue eyes chasing you while their red eyed friends try and cut you off.
Credt for all the AP's is nice.
I think I have my room assignment, but I won't be sure for a few days...I seem to be in a double in Standford hall which is most centrally located. We'll see if that's true, though.
I love you!
I have now "owned" a mac computer with each major processor they have developed since 199something.
I now "own" a computer more completely than I ever have, as it is truely mine to do with as I please.
(My, what literary heights I've reached...this from a man getting credit for all his ap's...)
Yeah, nothing really to say right now...
except, of course:
I love you!