Listening to: The Beat - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
Ah, non-library-related things:
- I saw Half Nelson last week (wait – maybe it was the week before), and loved it. Has anyone else seen it?
- I just finished reading A Long Way Home by Mary K. Pershall, and last week I finished listening to Lamb by Bernard MacLaverty. Lamb was beautiful, but sad. It’s lucky MacLaverty writes such short novels. I don’t think I could take more than short bursts of him, even though I am starting to rather love his writing. I have Grace Notes sitting on my shelf, but I need time to cheer up between his books.
A Long Way Home was good(ish). It’s about an American woman who’s living in Australia in the early-’80s and starting to feel torn between Melbourne and Iowa. I picked it up thinking I’d be able to relate to that feeling-homesick-even-when-you’re-home thing, and to an extent I did and it kept me reading through to the end, but Annie Skasey was one of the most annoying characters I have ever encountered. Her indecisiveness made me want to scream; she wavered between the two places for nine-tenths of the book, and eventually came upon a solution by default/accident that I had managed to figure out within the first 20 pages. Also, the chapters alternated between ’80s Melbourne and flashbacks to her Iowan childhood, which was interesting except that she was a pretty unpleasant kid (even then, completely incapable of making a decision, which made her mean and a dreadful conformist). But, you know, it wasn’t a bad book – it was easy to read (good for the bus!), and I enjoyed the setting.
- I am making Knitty’s Knucks. I’m just weaving in the ends of my first glove, and am steeling myself for the next one (actually, it’s been really fun to knit – a little bit tricky and interesting, but not hugely difficult). I made the men’s size, because I’m using Random Op Shop Yarn and slightly smaller needles than specified in the pattern.
- I’m in the midst of an assignment that was due yesterday, that I feel alarmingly blasé about (I need panic to spur me on!). I’ve hated this course so much, and I don’t care anymore. Not only is it incredibly unlikely that I will ever be called upon to design my own library management system at any point in my library career, but having done this course won’t actually have equipped me to do it. I’m tying myself in knots just trying to skim the surface of Microsoft Access, which seems stupid. Eh. I aim to hand it in on Tuesday. I’m working this weekend, too, which was poor planning on my part.
- I walked home from uni on Wednesday, and it was so nice! It took me a couple of hours, including a stop at Big Star (I bought a couple of new records – Joan Baez and Tom Paxton [both YouTube links]) and a couple of detours to look at interesting houses. I could walk forever in unfamiliar surroundings, and it was so nice not to have to be anywhere.
Oh, crap, I’ve just made myself late for work. I hope everyone is having a pleasant day – if not, put on some early Elvis Costello and dance around your bedroom.
13 June, 2007 at 11:48 pm
hey, probably should email you but two things:
1. Found your email to us at work on Joss Weedon’s post, outlook didn’t recognise your email address, so it’s been lost for half a month. Anyway it’s what you would expect from the man who created an empowered character in Buffy, (with flaws as heroes must have) although sometimes his female characters are just cute and action packed and mute ie Firefly. Since his handling of his major characters regardless of gender was even handed Angel/Buffy perhaps this analyses too much.
Also, 2. thanks for blogging, I realise from class this is most popular in Japan than elsewhere, I think back to ‘Ghost in the shell’ and wonder if its because people truly feel more isolated there.
Regardless of the country perhaps because blogging gives the feeling or impression of personal communication, and even if the audience is unknown there is some familiarity there in potential contact with another person.
From a reader point of view and I guess that is what I am, (although I comment far too much) there is comfort in thinking that you are not by yourself. I say this because I can completely imagine your walk (above) as if you were discussing it face to face.
All the best on your assignment, C
Oh, and come out with us on Friday night we’re thinking of blowing off some post assignment steam.
BTW let me know if its okay to use this medium to talk to you, am happy to remain reader seule.
14 June, 2007 at 12:02 am
Joss Whedon – damn! knew there was something wrong with that post!
14 June, 2007 at 2:45 am
Dude, I encourage comments! (But then I wonder if I should comment back, and if anyone actually comes back to read the follow-up. Thoughts? Are comments my cue to email, or is here okay?)
I actually think Joss Whedon is kind of dodgy/annoying – I liked Buffy and Angel, but I’m pretty dubious about their feminist credentials – but I thought it was an interesting post. (And feminist analysis of pop culture is my favourite kind of feminist analysis, so go for it, please.) ETA: This post, for anyone else reading.
I like blogs. This one isn’t very interesting – I wish I’d include more pictures, but I never think to take them – but I like reading other people’s (I wish more people I knew in real life had blogs! Go forth, all of you!). I have a diary for me, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to put stuff out there. And it’s a nice way to keep in touch with people I don’t see often (as well as those I do) in a potentially more conversational way than emails.
And I submitted my assignment at 5 o’clock this afternoon. Finally! Not fun. I hope yours is coming along, or already finished. I’m going to the Refugee Association quiz night this Friday (I know; it’s quiz night season), but we should definitely blow off post-assignment steam at some point – will speak to you at work on Friday.
15 June, 2007 at 1:42 am
reading follow up as we speak (or not speak technically)
congrats, don’t ask!
Have fun at the quiz, all the best, nail those Jane Austen questions (just kidding)
thoughts on “subservient wives” specials on TV and popular culture magazines at present, probably too obvious to need commenting but I question the emphasis at the moment? new govt move to enslave half the population to subsidise the economy?
a bientot
5 August, 2008 at 6:45 pm
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