Who can name what musical that's from? Anyone? Anyone? Come on y'all, you know this. (don't know who I'm talking to, obviously crazy, ignore me)
Anyway, it's not true. I do like fall, the season. It's just that usually it's so hard to distinguish it from fall, the school year, you know? Which makes me wonder how it'll feel when I'm older and retired, and there is no "back to work" mentality.
It's once again been awhile since I typed up a post and published it (I don't count Mockingjay...it was already ready to be published). School, sports, music, etc., etc. I have no free time.
Quick updates:
College searches have begun. Our school system has a five (usually it's four) day weekend in October this year for the teachers to grade or something, so me and my family'll be going to the East Coast.
My birthday's coming up - woohoo!
Lost my iPod - booooo!
AND FRINGE IS BACK ON! YESSSSSSSSS.
(Except this storyline is making me want to kill someone...)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Mockingjay (posted waaaay later than when I typed it...like by a month)
I don't know if I have any books that can even follow that up.
If you haven't read The Hunger Games, go read them. If you have, you know how good these books are, how well they're written, and how thought-provoking they are. Especially this last one.
For those of you who haven't read the series, they're about a place called Panem, which has 12 Districs in rings around a central city called the Capitol. In punishment for an uprising that took place many years ago among the Districts, there is a yearly event called the Hunger Games. Each year, two canidates are picked from each District, one boy and one girl, aged 12-18; they must participate in the Hunger Games, in which all the canidates are put in an outdoor arena and fight to the death. The entire event is televised for the viewing pleasure of the Capitol.
Spoilers, and I mean MAJOR details (highlight to read)
I thought she would kill off Gale. Or Peeta. Well, truthfully, I was expecting Gale to be killed off, because anyone could see she was always going to end up with Peeta. I never thought Prim was going to die - I thought that if she survived the District 12 destruction, and then the bombing of District 13, well, she must be okay, because she'd almost died twice already...and how would she ever be killed otehrwise? She was supposed to be safe.
And then there's Finnick. Finnick's death was a major blow - because Finnick was great. Really. Annie and him just really made it seem like things could be okay - that there could be someone you love, who you could get married to and have a life with, even with a horrible war going on...his death almost upset me more than Prim's did.
Other things: I liked that she didn't make the rebels perfect, because in reality, they never are. I like that, in fact, the rebel leader was someone who was just as bad as the previous dictator. The deaths of some were absolutely horrifying - Messala's in particular comes to mind.
The ending was a little weird, in a way. I know that because of what she did, Katniss was put in District 12 and didn't have a part in the politics anymore, but the idea that life just sort of went on is there, and that's odd. Though I supose the children didn't come around for a while, so that's why there's schools again and everything seems more normal. It's just hard to reconcile, you know? In real life it takes so long for damage to be undone...and what did they do with the people from the Capitol anyway? Did they have a Hunger Games? What was the compromise?
If you haven't read The Hunger Games, go read them. If you have, you know how good these books are, how well they're written, and how thought-provoking they are. Especially this last one.
For those of you who haven't read the series, they're about a place called Panem, which has 12 Districs in rings around a central city called the Capitol. In punishment for an uprising that took place many years ago among the Districts, there is a yearly event called the Hunger Games. Each year, two canidates are picked from each District, one boy and one girl, aged 12-18; they must participate in the Hunger Games, in which all the canidates are put in an outdoor arena and fight to the death. The entire event is televised for the viewing pleasure of the Capitol.
Spoilers, and I mean MAJOR details (highlight to read)
I thought she would kill off Gale. Or Peeta. Well, truthfully, I was expecting Gale to be killed off, because anyone could see she was always going to end up with Peeta. I never thought Prim was going to die - I thought that if she survived the District 12 destruction, and then the bombing of District 13, well, she must be okay, because she'd almost died twice already...and how would she ever be killed otehrwise? She was supposed to be safe.
And then there's Finnick. Finnick's death was a major blow - because Finnick was great. Really. Annie and him just really made it seem like things could be okay - that there could be someone you love, who you could get married to and have a life with, even with a horrible war going on...his death almost upset me more than Prim's did.
Other things: I liked that she didn't make the rebels perfect, because in reality, they never are. I like that, in fact, the rebel leader was someone who was just as bad as the previous dictator. The deaths of some were absolutely horrifying - Messala's in particular comes to mind.
The ending was a little weird, in a way. I know that because of what she did, Katniss was put in District 12 and didn't have a part in the politics anymore, but the idea that life just sort of went on is there, and that's odd. Though I supose the children didn't come around for a while, so that's why there's schools again and everything seems more normal. It's just hard to reconcile, you know? In real life it takes so long for damage to be undone...and what did they do with the people from the Capitol anyway? Did they have a Hunger Games? What was the compromise?
Saturday, August 21, 2010
So I've been gone. For awhile.
My YMCA camp was awesome...I'm pretty much already looking forward to next year, when I get to be a real counselor. Hopefully I'll be allowed to go for more than two sessions, which is what my mom's plans seem to be, despite my repeated attempts to convince otherwise (most counselors are there for at least three sessions, if not four). We'll see.
The church camp I went to with friends was also (surprisingly) a TON of fun. I didn't really think I'd enjoy as much as I did, especially coming right out of another camp that I'm way more comfortable with. But I enjoyed going to a camp where I actually had friends from "back home" - the YMCA camp is based out of Evanston, IL, and takes place in Michigan, and while I usually know some people at the camp (whether from before we moved or from previous camp years), it's not really the same as having good friends from home. (I don't know if that all made sense. Sorry)
ANYWAY, so that was a little while ago though. Since, my French exchange student has arrived (she's pretty cool) and swimming/diving have started (ew. 6 A.M. wake-up sucks).
And FINALLY the real reason for this post: I got to see Wicked last night.
Now, I've seen it before, on Broadway in New York, with most of the original cast. But that was when I was in 5th grade or something, so it's not something I remember crystal clear. However, I can say with some certainty that there were some things added into this version - as in more explanations for why specific events are happening - that weren't in the original. All in all, I would say the New York cast were stronger singers, but that's kind of a "DUH, of course!" thing. I still loved it...because at its heart, Wicked is a love story, and I ADORE those. And also? I WANT A FIYERO. WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY DON'T I HAVE ONE???
(And then I watched Fame tonight, and I'm pretty sure I need to go marry Asher Book because I love him. Or I love his character, at least. Is cute, can sing, AND he's a decent person? Um yes, please have him delivered to my house straight away.)
Books read this year: 66
Songs I haven't listened to, yet are still on my iPod: 1390 (...whoops, I should get on that...)
The church camp I went to with friends was also (surprisingly) a TON of fun. I didn't really think I'd enjoy as much as I did, especially coming right out of another camp that I'm way more comfortable with. But I enjoyed going to a camp where I actually had friends from "back home" - the YMCA camp is based out of Evanston, IL, and takes place in Michigan, and while I usually know some people at the camp (whether from before we moved or from previous camp years), it's not really the same as having good friends from home. (I don't know if that all made sense. Sorry)
ANYWAY, so that was a little while ago though. Since, my French exchange student has arrived (she's pretty cool) and swimming/diving have started (ew. 6 A.M. wake-up sucks).
And FINALLY the real reason for this post: I got to see Wicked last night.
Now, I've seen it before, on Broadway in New York, with most of the original cast. But that was when I was in 5th grade or something, so it's not something I remember crystal clear. However, I can say with some certainty that there were some things added into this version - as in more explanations for why specific events are happening - that weren't in the original. All in all, I would say the New York cast were stronger singers, but that's kind of a "DUH, of course!" thing. I still loved it...because at its heart, Wicked is a love story, and I ADORE those. And also? I WANT A FIYERO. WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY DON'T I HAVE ONE???
(And then I watched Fame tonight, and I'm pretty sure I need to go marry Asher Book because I love him. Or I love his character, at least. Is cute, can sing, AND he's a decent person? Um yes, please have him delivered to my house straight away.)
Books read this year: 66
Songs I haven't listened to, yet are still on my iPod: 1390 (...whoops, I should get on that...)
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Last Airbender
I have seen a clip.
I want to cry, it was that bad. No way would I ever, EVER go see this. I'm actually horrified with what they've done to it; or, you know, specifically what M. Night Shyamalan has done to it.
Let's go through this in order:
Okay, so to start, Katara looks dead, and Aang looks like a baby. This would be acceptable if they could act, which they can't. I'm not sure why Aang is reading his dialogue like that, but it's broken and choppy and generally sounds like an amateur movie. Next, "You are powerful and amazing people." That's what it sounds like he just said. That's not....the grammar....just...WHAT? Is English not your first language in this movie? (Actually, that would explain why he talks so oddly...) AND THEY'RE SURROUNDED BY EARTH AND STONE, WHO THE HELL THOUGHT OF THAT? WHAT KIND OF IDIOTS ARE THESE PEOPLE? WHAT KIND OF IDIOTS ARE THE FIRE NATION?? WHY WOULD YOU PUT PEOPLE WHO CAN MANIPULATE EARTH IN AN AREA WHERE THEY ARE SURROUNDED BY EARTH???
Ah, and now the names. You know, I've heard that Shyamalan purposefully had them all mispronounced. Again, this might (might) be acceptable - if the entire thing didn't suck so much.
And again, Sokka and Katara look dead. Yay for conveying emotion!
"I ran away. But I'm back now." A sixth grader could write a better dialogue.
Aaaaaand then there's some seriously weird head moving...(who's he talking to? The fire nation? The earthbenders?)
(....this dialogue is slowly killing me, send help....)
Oh Sokka. You're...mildy funny. The only thing that hasn't vastly upset and horrified me in this 3 and a half minute clip.
And then the firebender looks constipated...(also, yet another thing I've heard: the firebenders can only bend fire if they have one near them. WHY. THE. FUCK. WOULD. YOU. LEAVE. IT. BURNING. You have a waterbender! Just have her put it out!)
Why is it this is a fight scene, and yet everyone takes their turn, one by one, to fight? The people are rallying, and you aren't doing anything? You're not even shocked - you're just standing there!
Oh nice, we gave Katara her scroll. How you knew it came from her tribe, I don't know. I can't rewatch the rest of it. This is too painful. I'm going to go rewatch the entire first and second seasons of the original TV show to get this blasphemy out of my mind...
I want to cry, it was that bad. No way would I ever, EVER go see this. I'm actually horrified with what they've done to it; or, you know, specifically what M. Night Shyamalan has done to it.
Let's go through this in order:
Okay, so to start, Katara looks dead, and Aang looks like a baby. This would be acceptable if they could act, which they can't. I'm not sure why Aang is reading his dialogue like that, but it's broken and choppy and generally sounds like an amateur movie. Next, "You are powerful and amazing people." That's what it sounds like he just said. That's not....the grammar....just...WHAT? Is English not your first language in this movie? (Actually, that would explain why he talks so oddly...) AND THEY'RE SURROUNDED BY EARTH AND STONE, WHO THE HELL THOUGHT OF THAT? WHAT KIND OF IDIOTS ARE THESE PEOPLE? WHAT KIND OF IDIOTS ARE THE FIRE NATION?? WHY WOULD YOU PUT PEOPLE WHO CAN MANIPULATE EARTH IN AN AREA WHERE THEY ARE SURROUNDED BY EARTH???
Ah, and now the names. You know, I've heard that Shyamalan purposefully had them all mispronounced. Again, this might (might) be acceptable - if the entire thing didn't suck so much.
And again, Sokka and Katara look dead. Yay for conveying emotion!
"I ran away. But I'm back now." A sixth grader could write a better dialogue.
Aaaaaand then there's some seriously weird head moving...(who's he talking to? The fire nation? The earthbenders?)
(....this dialogue is slowly killing me, send help....)
Oh Sokka. You're...mildy funny. The only thing that hasn't vastly upset and horrified me in this 3 and a half minute clip.
And then the firebender looks constipated...(also, yet another thing I've heard: the firebenders can only bend fire if they have one near them. WHY. THE. FUCK. WOULD. YOU. LEAVE. IT. BURNING. You have a waterbender! Just have her put it out!)
Why is it this is a fight scene, and yet everyone takes their turn, one by one, to fight? The people are rallying, and you aren't doing anything? You're not even shocked - you're just standing there!
Oh nice, we gave Katara her scroll. How you knew it came from her tribe, I don't know. I can't rewatch the rest of it. This is too painful. I'm going to go rewatch the entire first and second seasons of the original TV show to get this blasphemy out of my mind...
Sunday, July 11, 2010
My Family Vacation
My mom's side of the family (or some of them, at least, though I'll get to that later) decided that this year, we'd do a little family thing together, and it would be to rent a house in Charlevoix, MI. We spent the last week there; me, my mom, and sister, my dad for half of it (he had to come home in the middle for an inspection on our house), my mom's two sisters and one of their husbands (the other came late, and stayed only for a day because he wasn't feeling well...we think he had E. Coli), and all their children.
To be honest, while I love my family, they are hard to deal with. I'm pretty sure this is true for everyone. We have all sorts of tensions that go on among the adults, not helped by the five young children running around the place and screaming. And of course, being the eldest cousin, the really used to enjoy doing things to me - sort of, "Let's all gang up on the big kid" thing. They've gotten better - now I only have the youngest hanging around all the time, and she's absolutely adorable, so I'm okay with that.
Anyway, so we were up by Charlevoix. It really is beautiful up there in Nothern Michigan. Like, breath-takingly beautiful. It's the second time I've been there, it turns out - when I did the bike trip through my camp two years ago, we biked right through it. We also visited a couple other towns we went through - though it took us far less time by car. Leland, known for its historic fishtown (...yeah. It was actually pretty nice), and Traverse City, which was hosting the...National Cherry Festival. *cough*
I leave for Ohio this Wednesday, where I will be for my dad's family reunion on Saturday, and moving on to my YMCA camp on Sunday, for two weeks. When I get back, I will have one day, and then I will be going to another camp, at which I will be teaching disabled kids to ride horses. The day I get back, I have a French exchange student as well as family coming over.
It's going to be a busy summer.
Books read this year: 61
Times I've been to the beach: 5
To be honest, while I love my family, they are hard to deal with. I'm pretty sure this is true for everyone. We have all sorts of tensions that go on among the adults, not helped by the five young children running around the place and screaming. And of course, being the eldest cousin, the really used to enjoy doing things to me - sort of, "Let's all gang up on the big kid" thing. They've gotten better - now I only have the youngest hanging around all the time, and she's absolutely adorable, so I'm okay with that.
Anyway, so we were up by Charlevoix. It really is beautiful up there in Nothern Michigan. Like, breath-takingly beautiful. It's the second time I've been there, it turns out - when I did the bike trip through my camp two years ago, we biked right through it. We also visited a couple other towns we went through - though it took us far less time by car. Leland, known for its historic fishtown (...yeah. It was actually pretty nice), and Traverse City, which was hosting the...National Cherry Festival. *cough*
I leave for Ohio this Wednesday, where I will be for my dad's family reunion on Saturday, and moving on to my YMCA camp on Sunday, for two weeks. When I get back, I will have one day, and then I will be going to another camp, at which I will be teaching disabled kids to ride horses. The day I get back, I have a French exchange student as well as family coming over.
It's going to be a busy summer.
Books read this year: 61
Times I've been to the beach: 5
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Last Airbender
I just saw a behind-the-scenes clip with Jackson Rathbone, who is playing Sokka in the movie.
And he can't pronounce his own characters name.
And he can't pronounce his own characters name.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
There may be spoilers in this blog post.
Maybe. Except not, because really, how can they kill off Maid Marian in Robin Hood? She's CANON. She HAS to live, there's no way she dies, I know she doesn't die, but HOW THE HELL CAN SHE BE ALIVE IF THEIR1 ALL SAYING SHE'S DEAD? Because it's not one of those, "Oh, well they must have died, but we didn't actually see them die, they just fell off a cliff/were there when that thing blew up/have no pulse and seem dead2/were shot/got hit by a bus. And it's not "They're lying to the main character for his own protection/to hurt him" because the main character went to check!
(this post took me two hours to finish because I got sidetracked at TV Tropes)
1 Oh look at how my grammar leaves me when I'm angry...
2 Actually, that might be what they're using here...except for unlike the examples, she didn't take anything to make it look like she died. She just died...and will now come back to life somehow, because her heart didn't really stop, or something like that.
(this post took me two hours to finish because I got sidetracked at TV Tropes)
1 Oh look at how my grammar leaves me when I'm angry...
2 Actually, that might be what they're using here...except for unlike the examples, she didn't take anything to make it look like she died. She just died...and will now come back to life somehow, because her heart didn't really stop, or something like that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)