Category Archives: Books I read

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer Part II (because apparently the first time I missed it)

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SNAP!  Holy WOW.  Ok so a long time ago I blah blah blahed about how I HATED the book Perfume: The Story of a Murderer – it was GROSS and completely demented.  Well today someone left a comment explaining the book to me.  I just want to say THANK YOU to Emily because she was so polite and thoughtful as she pointed out how I completely missed the entire point of the book.  [lol and sheepish look as I am quite embarrassed by this.]

Umm … yeah …  I still think the book is gross, gross and more gross.  I still am put off by the graphic ending and think the author could have probably made his point without having a dude with no smell kill off 25 fictional girls, leaving their fictional families understandably traumatized – BUT – I can now see how the book took a look at society as a whole.  People tend to minimalize even the most atrocious of deeds if they themselves played any part in them and when similar atrocious deeds are committed without a suspect they victimize and criminalize innocent parties.

And a whole bunch of other stuff that I WOULD explain but honestly I have a headache and can’t be bothered to recap so if you are THAT interested in the book you can read the comment linked above OR maybe I’ll do a REAL analysis of the book in the future.

Alrighty well I’m off to bed.  BUT FIRST – last night I talked to N. Syd for like 3 bajillion hours because we had a complete role reversal and he played counselor to ME (usually I play counselor to him) and that was WEIRD but helpful. Basically I need to learn to not be so hard on myself.  8o| GRR!!!  It’s not easy!!!!

Oh and I have plans to see #3 on Thursday.  And was invited to play with N. Syd on Sat. because he has his adorable son that night but I think I have plans with a cute girl from school – we’re going to a party where I should be able to catch up with BFA and #3 – AGH!!!  Sleep tight everyone!!  xoxo

Destination unknown

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Colors in the Rain“If it’s a pleasant road I don”t care where it leads.”
~Henry James ~ “A Portrait of a Lady”

I was pretty down on myself for not having a concrete 5 year plan.  So – I created one this past week.  And then I remembered the reason why I didn’t have one in the first place!!  lol.

Haha!  Just teasing.  It surely IS useful to have a general idea about where one would like to be in the future.  And I think it would be terrible to pick a path that leads to a terrible outcome.  The journey is often more important than the destination – but if that journey leads you to the middle of the desert, 1000 miles away from the nearest living person, with no cellphone, no food, no water and no transportation – well that journey is what I like to call a WASTE OF TIME!

or is it?

What if you had one crazy wild ride to get there?  What if in the course of your trip to the desert you found true love and had accomplished all of your life goals?  Sure you are there – in the middle of nowhere – but you’ve fulfilled your life’s purpose – you can rest in peace.  And if that’s the case, maybe it wasn’t a waste of time at all.

Sure so ok – I now have a 5 year plan.  I have goals and a bit of direction.  But the reality is that as long as I’m following my heart and the road is pleasant – I think I’m inclined to agree with Henry James.  I don’t care where I end up as long as I am making the most of what I’m given along the way.

Darn that essay – and the book you should read if you’re a dude

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Darn my essay!  I’ve been drawing a complete mental blank the entire day.  And except for this morning’s catch-up with BFA, I attempted to focus only on my essay all day. So I should be done with it right?  Right.  Am I done with it?  No.

What is the essay about?  My assignment is:  “Discuss the idea that adaptations are never as good as the original by demonstrating research of relevant references, situating arguments clearly within contemporary literature on remix culture and intertextuality.” Anyone else ever tried to do research on remixable culture or intertextuality?? (which btw those aren’t even real words.)   These are RECENT ideas.  There isn’t a whole lot of research out there.  I told my teacher I was struggling and you know what she said? “I have a hard time buying that.”  [insert look of death directed at HER.]

Want to know what I have a hard time buying? That she can’t afford to buy a razor.  And this is when I bit my tongue. My opinions on the fact that she wears shorts to class and doesn’t shave her legs aren’t helpful – though they are arguably constructive because it IS very distracting during the lectures when she plops a leg up on the table for us all to see.

Ah well … I have until tomorrow at 5:00 to turn the essay in.  I’m being docked 4% for it being late but I can’t be fussed by it.  This is the first time I’ve done this and hopefully the last.  Bonnie Lass warned me that the first late essay puts you on a dangerously slippery slope to being a poor student.  He’s probably right.  Which is why I will be EXTRA careful with the other assignments.  :)

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See what I missed today while I was studying?  At least I got to walk down the promenade before hitting the books.

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Ooh!  This picture reminds me!!  Are you a dude? (lol – I can’t believe I just wrote that question.)  ANYWAY …

If you’re a dude you should read that book. :) :) haha!  No seriously though – BFA had me look through it – it’s a great book.  It explains why women are crazy and how men can cope with it. lol. That should put this book on my Lame List but honestly I found myself agreeing with it!  haha!  BFA says the book has changed his life and I would venture to guess that it has helped countless of other men as well.  So yeah – A must read for boys of all ages.  “The Way of the Superior Man.”  I’m going to read it too even though I’m NOT a dude (thank goodness!!!)  :D

a013“Things are always different than what they might be… If you wait for them to change you’ll never do anything.”

~The Portrait of a Lady ~Henry James

Have a great day!!!

Post Overload – Sorry!!!

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Ok so I know I’ve posted a bajillion times over the past week or so… sorry!  But I HAD to post again today because GUESS WHAT??  I’m headed to New Zealand next week!!! I’M SO EXCITED!!!!  I’m going for my birthday – yay! (and the “yay” is NOT for turning a year older – but for doing it in style ;))  I also get to cross visiting NZ off my 101 list.  Wahoo!

Then as a little icing on the cake, CC+4 looked into meeting me in NZ – which didn’t work out – stupid airline connections!  BUT he said he’s going to visit me in April – which actually works out better for me too.  :) Big smiles all around today.  I’ve got a couple of fun months to look forward to… and wow – I can’t believe I’m about to turn 27.  :( Ok – so those two statements weren’t EXACTLY related but time goes by so quickly (March and April are going to fly by) and here I am – about to be in my late 20s.  I’m still in SCHOOL and have no definite career plans yet – but I can’t think about that right now…

Back to happy things – CC+4′s song of the day for me was “True Affection” by The Blow.  I love it!  He says I can decide if he chose the song in reference to us.  LOL.  Gee that’s a tough one to figure out!  (roll my eyes.)

In other news – here’s a pic of Sydney from Central Station.  And in case you are ever planning on driving around Sydney – be aware that they do not have blinkers here in this great country.  They only have “indicators.” Just an FYI.

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Oh one last thing – here’s my quote for the day.  I’m reading the Portrait of a Lady by Henry James.  I really enjoy this book because – well – to be honest – I see myself in the main character.  She and I have WAY too much in common – not sure if that’s good or bad …

“‘Ah,’ said Isabel with a kind of joyous sigh, ‘I like so many things!  If a thing strikes me with a certain intensity I accept it.  I don’t want to swagger, but I suppose I’m rather versatile.  I like people to be totally different from Henrietta – in the style of  Lord Warburton’s sisters for instance.  So long as I look at the Misses Molyneux [the sisters] they seem to me to answer a kind of ideal.  Then Henrietta presents herself and I’m straightway convinced by her; …”

[Henrietta] “You’ve been affected by your new surroundings.”
[Isabel] “Very likely, I’m affected by everything.”
[Henrietta replies disapprovingly] “Yes, you’ve changed; you’ve got new ideas over here.”
“I hope so,” said Isabel; “One should get as many new ideas as possible.”