Friday, July 24, 2009

Books

The whole 'read a book a week thing' is going well. Except that I think I accidentally keep reading children's/teen's books...

My third book was 'The Princess Bride' by William Goldman. It was hysterically funny and clever. But is it really a proper grown up book? Probably not. But then again I don't consider myself a proper grown up so I guess it's not a big deal. I'd rather read lighter amusing books and keep reading them than get bogged down in the middle of a heavy story. It's probably a bit like my taste in TV and movies. I hate big dramatic Oscar winning movies. I want movies with laughs and explosions. You can make something that is funny, light and still occasionally has a message, or rips your guts out. Don't believe me? Watch a season of Scrubs or Doctor Who and tell me that it's not both hilarious and gut wrenching at the same time.

My current book is 'The Ruby in the Smoke' by Philip Pullman. I have seen the made-for-TV version of this and thought I should read the book. I was very put out to not be able to find it anywhere, until I realised that it was because it's in the 'Teen' section. Which is rubbish. Sure, the heroine is only 16 but it's Victorian England, 16 is practically middle aged.

Still. I'm sure it's 10000000000000000000 times more intelligent than that Twilight rubbish, and since people my own age and older rave about those book, I feel justfied in reading something supposedly aimed at the same age bracket. I might even get really adventurous and read the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy that people debate over at length. Just to see what all the fuss is about. For those that don't immediately see the connection, they are by the same author as 'The Ruby in the Smoke'. Just thought I'd clarify that.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Of Cats

I have, more than once on this blog, professed my love for a certain small furball called Astrid.



I mean, honestly, who wouldn't?

However, I would like to point out that as much as it is nice to be wanted by said small furball, trying to scratch your way though my door all night is NOT endearing...

Sunday, July 12, 2009

A rather frightening realisation

On thursday I had to shop for a wedding present. It was amongst the most frustrating shopping I have ever had to do. Note to others who may be in this predicament: don't leave wedding present shopping til the last minute, and don't try to do it in the middle of the stocktake sales. Most of the good things on the registry will be gone and what hasn't been bought yet will be out of stock.

But that wasn't the frightening thing. Not really.

The frightening thing was that when I was at my most frustrated and felt like buying something really ridiculously inappropriate like a wheel of cheese, I had a revelation. I had officially started down the road of turning into my brother.

Seriously. A whole stack of my friends are getting married in the next 12-ish months. Which means in the 12 months after that, a whole stack more will be getting married. Weddings beget weddings, people. Once they start, they don't stop, until everyone but yourself is married.

That might sound bitter. It's not meant to. It's just a little scary. I realised as I went to the ceremony and reception yesterday that it was actually the first wedding reception I've been to for one of my peers.

Which means it's all downhill from here, I'm afraid...

p.s I love you, Garry, if you're reading this. I'm sure turning into you isn't such a terrible thing. The world only needs one of you, however, and this is what concerns me...

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

The first of many, hopefully...

So, last wednesday, the 1st of July, I decided that for the next year I will attempt to read a book a week, seeing as I have lost my love of reading and that bugs me. Unfortunately, my plans to start were somewhat hampered by a nasty cold which prevented a visit to the library. Thus, I started on the only book I could find which I knew I would finish but that I hadn't read. It was one of the Kathy Reichs books, as predictable and formulaic as they come. Thus, I can summarise a whole review in one word.

Meh.

I have now started on my next book, 'The Graveyard Story' by Neil Gaiman. I believe it's actually considered a children's book, but it was included by a Pajiban in their attempt to complete the Cannonball Read (100 books in a year, not something I'm prepared to try just yet) and I figured I'd give it a go.

I figured I'd at least start my reading with a few books I haven't read yet. Later on, if I get really busy and can't get to the Library or just don't have a lot of time to read, I may hit up the Harry Potter books again just to keep my numbers up. I don't consider this cheating, because re-reading them is better than not reading anything.

I'm prepared to take suggestions, but only to a degree. Anyone suggesting I read the 'Twilight' books with be taunted with words such as 'twatwaffle' and 'douchenozzle' and trust me, you don't want to be associated with people I label as such. Also, nothing in Old or Middle English. Late 19th century English is about as foreign as I can take.

I'm really hoping I can stick with this. I'm hoping the fact that I start work on Monday a) doesn't get in the way and b) helps establish a routine that might actually help my stick with this.

I'll also try to post some reviews, etc, but I'm not very good at writing such things so don't expect too much.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Oops

I should probably qualify my statements yesterday by making an exception - my friends are awesome people. I am lucky to have awesome friends who are fun to hang out with, laugh at my imaginary words, and tell me it's OK to be mad at douchenozzles and twatwaffles.

They will also indulge my habit of quoting Doctor Who. I think that makes them the most awesome friends ever. Especially when they join in...

Sunday, July 5, 2009

A letter

To the people of planet earth.

Cut it out. Stop all the douchenozzlery. Quit being twatwaffles. Enough with the assholery. M-kay?

Sincerely,
Rachel.


p.s if you're thinking 'surely she doesn't mean me?', yes. Yes I do. ALL OF YOU! I'm this close to emancipating myself from the entire human race. I don't want to be a part of you any more.