I bought a new book while on vacation. There was a used book store. There was a collection of D.H.Lawrence stories.
Another book to surmount before I can buy me a nooook,
*sigh*
Rachael, stop house-wife-ing and start typing.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
So which one is he?
Or is he even a "god"?
That's really all I've got so far - I forget what page I'm on, but I'm just at the part where they're having that meeting in the darkness and the Goddess with the heads around her waist is telling Wednesday no.
I will say, I was kind of hoping that Shadow's wife would not have been in the accident after having been cheating on him. It was obvious that was going to be the case, but it was really a disappointment.
This is a good choice to follow-up Gunslinger with, because phrases like "We are well met" and the same sort of wandering, frail perception of reality is quite cohesive. What I can't stand are all these name-brand cameos - why does he have to pick up a Nokia phone, why can't he just pick up a phone?
That stuff really pulls me out of it - you can tie it to reality saying something like "coke" or you can tie it to an exact time by saying "IBM."
See, that - dated.
AmIRight?!
That's really all I've got so far - I forget what page I'm on, but I'm just at the part where they're having that meeting in the darkness and the Goddess with the heads around her waist is telling Wednesday no.
I will say, I was kind of hoping that Shadow's wife would not have been in the accident after having been cheating on him. It was obvious that was going to be the case, but it was really a disappointment.
This is a good choice to follow-up Gunslinger with, because phrases like "We are well met" and the same sort of wandering, frail perception of reality is quite cohesive. What I can't stand are all these name-brand cameos - why does he have to pick up a Nokia phone, why can't he just pick up a phone?
That stuff really pulls me out of it - you can tie it to reality saying something like "coke" or you can tie it to an exact time by saying "IBM."
See, that - dated.
AmIRight?!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
NPR's 3-Minute Fiction
Three-Minute Fiction: Round 7
I've been checking out these topics, and have actually used all but one as prompts for little exercises to start myself writing, however long after the contests were over. This one seems to be a topic I can summit, so I'll certainly try to get an entry in to the contest.
I'm trying to work on giving more effort to things that have always loved, and learned to love; reading has been going well - even if this blog hasn't (har-har), cooking and dancing are great, and writing is closing in on those idle minutes at work where I can get a few scribbles in.
If anything, the authors' challenges are great exercises; I love a topic that makes me write differently than I would if I plopped in front of the computer.
I've been checking out these topics, and have actually used all but one as prompts for little exercises to start myself writing, however long after the contests were over. This one seems to be a topic I can summit, so I'll certainly try to get an entry in to the contest.
I'm trying to work on giving more effort to things that have always loved, and learned to love; reading has been going well - even if this blog hasn't (har-har), cooking and dancing are great, and writing is closing in on those idle minutes at work where I can get a few scribbles in.
If anything, the authors' challenges are great exercises; I love a topic that makes me write differently than I would if I plopped in front of the computer.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Prompt Thoughts
I had a silly thought in my head, the idea "if I were an English teacher, and assigned Vonnegut, what would be my journal entry prompt?"
Well, that idea is: Who is in your karass? Why? Are there any granfalloons you are part of? What do you think is your wampeter?
That's an entire new novel, though.
Maybe we can go through our notes (after I finish up the ending), pick our three favorite quotes or scenes, then exchange them for some sort of reaction?
Anyway, you pick the next book! I'll let you know when I'm done.
Well, that idea is: Who is in your karass? Why? Are there any granfalloons you are part of? What do you think is your wampeter?
That's an entire new novel, though.
Maybe we can go through our notes (after I finish up the ending), pick our three favorite quotes or scenes, then exchange them for some sort of reaction?
Anyway, you pick the next book! I'll let you know when I'm done.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Devotion
Alright, I have to be completely honest and admit that I was not as devoted to this book as I should have been. Being that this is a re-read for me you would think I'd be decently versed, but no. I am tempted to read Cat's Cradle one more time; I feel like I owe it to Vonnegut.
Do you feel like reading a list of excuses? There are really only three:
1. My mind has been focused on my sister's wedding (which I still don't know what the hell to say)
2. Moving consumed majority of my time.
3. I worked more overtime at work than ever before.
I feel like I need a question to answer. Some sort of prompt.
A part of the book that really stuck out to me was the way some of the women were described in the beginning. "Her smile was glassy, and she was ransacking her mind for something to say, finding nothing in it but used kleenex and costume jewelery"
I have a few other things, but I would need a little more time to think about them and figure some clever way to lay them out.
Do you feel like reading a list of excuses? There are really only three:
1. My mind has been focused on my sister's wedding (which I still don't know what the hell to say)
2. Moving consumed majority of my time.
3. I worked more overtime at work than ever before.
I feel like I need a question to answer. Some sort of prompt.
A part of the book that really stuck out to me was the way some of the women were described in the beginning. "Her smile was glassy, and she was ransacking her mind for something to say, finding nothing in it but used kleenex and costume jewelery"
I have a few other things, but I would need a little more time to think about them and figure some clever way to lay them out.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Some guy named "Vonnegut"
Alright, so, regrettably it's been almost three months since we decided we'd choose books to read at relatively the same time and pace, despite not being at the same time and place. After some issues with people on half.com getting their shit together, I finally received my copy of Cat's Cradle. It's creased and ugly orange cover, with the kitschy illustrations, it's missing back cover, and thin brittle pages finally found it's way into my hands, and in my last weeks (by weeks I mean about three days) of work at "the Bank" I tore through about half of it or more.
After catching up with Rachael on her status, I found that I was perhaps a bit too giddy for reading again, and decided to put it down until she mentioned catching up, or until we didn't have something more important to do like start a new job ("the Credit Union") or move into a new apartment.
At any rate, I've been thinking of it again, now that my new job offers some down time, and the recent change in weather has kept me inside at lunch, instead of people-watching on the plaza. Before I continue, however, I better mention my thoughts so far.
Having not read any Vonnegut, except for maybe the first 10 pages of Cat's Cradle in the fifth grade...and having read Coupland, I have to say that Cat's Cradle reminds me of All Families Are Psychotic. Though, for obvious reasons - primarily that the former came before the latter - it should be switched; however, it is simply the fantastic story told through basic narrative with a sardonic view of the world being implied that links them in my mind. A set of over-the-top characters in unrealistic situations presented in a way that completely ignores how ridiculous it sounds or seems.
This works better, perhaps, in Cradle because the idea itself of the A-Bomb existing, being used, or even being thought of as a "gift" of a "genius" - is pretty ridiculous - especially in the context of the novel's time, or even thinking of nuclear weapons today (obviously, what a boring observation).
Being an extremely, not-so-religious person, Bokononism is hilarious to me; for me it is what keeps the whole thing very dryly amusing. The stupid terminology used, and the most obvious stab at religions, the idea of the karass vs. the granfalloon. The idea of something like being a "Hoosier" is not a group of people that will help perpetuate your purpose in life, and is not truly a unifying quality or similarity. I feel like this is a mistake of a lot of religions - love everyone in the world, except the people that don't count because they don't practice the way you do. I also feel like I felt this way in high school. I conclude that being too consumed by a religion is like being to concerned about who wins volleyball in P.E.
However, I do appreciate the idea of the karass, and the thought that there are people in your life that just have to be a part of your life; they are there with reason, even if you never really know what that reason is until much later - or never at all. This is simply the idea of fate, and an invisible guide that keeps you on the predetermined path towards your inevitable finish line; and I am a firm believer in pre-destiny.
I'm really glad I didn't finish this in fifth grade, I think reading it now at a time in my life where -for the most part- hormones aren't a big issue for my decisions in life, and I know better than to shun someone for liking sports or claiming soverieignity to affiliations thering; I know better than to think "ew, American Eagle" and say "ooh, cheap American Eagle in Goodwill;" I know better than to take any story presented to me at face-value; I know better than to completely ignore current events (and at least have a passing interest and knowledge of them, enough to make vague reactions to them while reading a book anyway).
With that said, my favorite quote in the book thus far (though this is the first book in a while I've bothered reading with a pen-in-hand to underline moments, words, and quotes) is this:
"See the cat, see the cradle?"
Love it.
The idea of Hoenikker being an A-bomb scientist makes me curious to read up on the lives of the real A-bomb or any-bomb scientists. I think it could start a good chain of free-association with the books we read - moving from fiction to non-fiction, and back again, following similar topics, locations, overtures, etcetera. Though I also want to find a current copy of the English Literary Canon and try and check off what I have read; another project I started back in the day when I had the time and the insomnia that could easily consume 6 books in 2 and a half months.
Being in school again, though in a completely different subject matter than I'm typically affiliated with, I'm hoping that perhaps this can also be a place where Rachael and I can dish out some "creative writing" homework. Perhaps if we get a topic we can list it, then communicate on it and post some results...but, we really have to get this "Book Club" idea going. Who knows, if we really get on ourselves, we can try to include other people we know who enjoy books, and typing about them in a self-important discussion type way.
Alright, your turn, Rachael.
After catching up with Rachael on her status, I found that I was perhaps a bit too giddy for reading again, and decided to put it down until she mentioned catching up, or until we didn't have something more important to do like start a new job ("the Credit Union") or move into a new apartment.
At any rate, I've been thinking of it again, now that my new job offers some down time, and the recent change in weather has kept me inside at lunch, instead of people-watching on the plaza. Before I continue, however, I better mention my thoughts so far.
Having not read any Vonnegut, except for maybe the first 10 pages of Cat's Cradle in the fifth grade...and having read Coupland, I have to say that Cat's Cradle reminds me of All Families Are Psychotic. Though, for obvious reasons - primarily that the former came before the latter - it should be switched; however, it is simply the fantastic story told through basic narrative with a sardonic view of the world being implied that links them in my mind. A set of over-the-top characters in unrealistic situations presented in a way that completely ignores how ridiculous it sounds or seems.
This works better, perhaps, in Cradle because the idea itself of the A-Bomb existing, being used, or even being thought of as a "gift" of a "genius" - is pretty ridiculous - especially in the context of the novel's time, or even thinking of nuclear weapons today (obviously, what a boring observation).
Being an extremely, not-so-religious person, Bokononism is hilarious to me; for me it is what keeps the whole thing very dryly amusing. The stupid terminology used, and the most obvious stab at religions, the idea of the karass vs. the granfalloon. The idea of something like being a "Hoosier" is not a group of people that will help perpetuate your purpose in life, and is not truly a unifying quality or similarity. I feel like this is a mistake of a lot of religions - love everyone in the world, except the people that don't count because they don't practice the way you do. I also feel like I felt this way in high school. I conclude that being too consumed by a religion is like being to concerned about who wins volleyball in P.E.
However, I do appreciate the idea of the karass, and the thought that there are people in your life that just have to be a part of your life; they are there with reason, even if you never really know what that reason is until much later - or never at all. This is simply the idea of fate, and an invisible guide that keeps you on the predetermined path towards your inevitable finish line; and I am a firm believer in pre-destiny.
I'm really glad I didn't finish this in fifth grade, I think reading it now at a time in my life where -for the most part- hormones aren't a big issue for my decisions in life, and I know better than to shun someone for liking sports or claiming soverieignity to affiliations thering; I know better than to think "ew, American Eagle" and say "ooh, cheap American Eagle in Goodwill;" I know better than to take any story presented to me at face-value; I know better than to completely ignore current events (and at least have a passing interest and knowledge of them, enough to make vague reactions to them while reading a book anyway).
With that said, my favorite quote in the book thus far (though this is the first book in a while I've bothered reading with a pen-in-hand to underline moments, words, and quotes) is this:
"See the cat, see the cradle?"
Love it.
The idea of Hoenikker being an A-bomb scientist makes me curious to read up on the lives of the real A-bomb or any-bomb scientists. I think it could start a good chain of free-association with the books we read - moving from fiction to non-fiction, and back again, following similar topics, locations, overtures, etcetera. Though I also want to find a current copy of the English Literary Canon and try and check off what I have read; another project I started back in the day when I had the time and the insomnia that could easily consume 6 books in 2 and a half months.
Being in school again, though in a completely different subject matter than I'm typically affiliated with, I'm hoping that perhaps this can also be a place where Rachael and I can dish out some "creative writing" homework. Perhaps if we get a topic we can list it, then communicate on it and post some results...but, we really have to get this "Book Club" idea going. Who knows, if we really get on ourselves, we can try to include other people we know who enjoy books, and typing about them in a self-important discussion type way.
Alright, your turn, Rachael.
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