coming back to life
Jun. 25th, 2003 11:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nigeltdeWell exams are over, finally, finally, thank lord god almighty, finally. I had about the best possible schedule you could get considering it was my first time at uni: one on the 21st, then the 23rd, then the final one today, easiest to hardest, and the first was even open book. Today's, however, was such a bitch. English 1A. Absolutely abysmal, I swear. I studied as hard as I could, the only real time I've taken off over the last two weeks was Saturday afternoon to read OotP, and Wednesday night to see Cabaret. But I guess I just studied the wrong things for this subject; the problem is you have no idea what the question on a text will be about, and there I was, petrified they would ask me about racism or misogyny in Othello, and it's some fucking thing about 'questions of knowledge'. Oy vey. Two essays to be done in two hours, I fucked em both up, only a small idea of what I was talking about, only wrote about 600 wds for each (target was 1000). I live in fear of the supplementary exams, but they're at the end of July so I'll try not to think about them too much.
Unfortunately, I can't relax yet, I have to work at my nonna's tomorrow and Friday, then to Erin's place on Saturday, then a relative's birthday on Sunday. Monday will be my first relaxing day. I really hate having every day full of just...stuff. I hate the idea that my week is all planned out, that I have to be going all these places. I'm such a lazy shit, I'm desperate for the next four weeks when I just get to do my own thing. There are so many books I wanna read, so many movies to see, so much to catch up on. Having just studied Othello pretty intensively, which I really did love (and ooo Keneth Branagh is an excellent Iago in the Parker movie!) I feel like I'm finally learning to read Shakespeare, so I really wanna get into more of his stuff. I think I'll start with Hamlet. Oh god, there's no point in listing everything I wanna read and watch, it goes on forever.
Cabaret, for those interested (and it's so scandalous lainy that you're not because it's right up your alley *g*), was fanbloodytastic. Todd McKenney as the MC was so enjoyable to watch, he was so sexy and funny, and displayed real pathos at the end (a surprise ending for me, I'd only seen the movie before). The girl who played Sally did a good job, although it's so hard to imagine anyone except Liza Minelli in the role. The guy who played, fuck, I've forgotten his name, the American, did the best he could with a pretty thankless role. He was quite cute although the accent was annoying. The Kit Kat girls were awesome, sexy and decadent and talented and used. One of them doubled as Madame Kost and was hilarious there. The (Kit Kat?) boys were great as well. And I was awed to see that the orchestra (which was beautiful (sorry, it's compulsory)) was actually made up of the Kit Kat girls and boys. The Schultz/Schneider (sp?) storyline dragged a bit, only because it's not so exciting and glam as the rest. Anyway, it was fantastic and I wanna go again, if it's even still on, I'm not sure how long the run is.
Now, about OotP, because it's obligatory. And I love reading everybody else's. I have to reread it, but here're my thoughts anyway. I can't really do much but parrot, I guess, coming so late to the party, so read at your own risk.
Firstly, much kudos to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lainy122 and her family for picking it up for me. Love you! *smooch*
I really, really enjoyed it. It was just so much fun to be back there. There was so much to read, so much more to learn about the world, the backstory, everything. It was such a ride. I'm just full of HP love here. I am dying to find out what happens next.
Harry. Lydia has it right. His reactions didn't bother me at all, they seemed natural and in character. It's nice to see him have a bit more character, actually, he's always been a bit of a blank slate. Can't believe he didn't fetch Snape at the end though, that seems a little stupid. And iirc, Hermione was in a position to think of that option as well. I also love it that teaching comes naturally to him; the whole DA storyline was good fun, actually.
Ron. Go Ron! You were sweet in this book. I seem to be in the minority but I abhor that 'Weasly is King' song. You don't deserve that, Ron, the teachers shouldn't allow it. That really got my goat up.
Hermione. Maybe I'm in the minority here as well, but I've never minded Hermione, although that's probably because I identify with her. Her brain was kind of freaky in this book, I must admit; and leading Umbridge to the centaurs? That's pretty mercenary. She's going to be formidable. I would like to know more about her family, so hopefully they will be in the next lot. Prediction: Voldemort will go after them, probably kill one or both.
Ginny. You're a real girl now! Excellent. You so own your brothers.
Speaking of, Percy. Percy, Percy, Percy. I liked you in the first three, I actually did. What happened? When did you become an ass? What was with the OTT glee at the end? Shame.
Fred and George. I do love these two. They cracked me the hell up, and it was certainly needed. And man was the twincest vibe going strong.
Neville. You're like all the other Neos from the previous Matrixes. But it was nice to see you come into your own, and outside of school.
Speaking of St Mungo's: Lockheart! My love! I thought I'd never see you again!
Umbridge: One of the most hateful characters I've ever come across. And not the enjoyable hateful, like Lucius. Reading about her was difficult at times, partly because she was kinda OTT. The pen thing has scarred me for life.
Dumbledore. He's always creeped me out a little with the omniscient vibe, but he was just so...short-sighted...in this book. I don't know what to think. I doubt very much he's evil, but his explanation is really so weak. Someone's written an interesting essay about his motivations, I've forgotten the link, but keep an eye out for it. I'll have to reevaluate, I think, once I've read it again.
McGonagall. You own me!
Snape. I've been waiting and waiting to find out more about him, so I adored his bits (although I wouldn't have said no to more *g*). They also brought me back to reality a bit; he really is one of my all-time favourites and I love him for being such a snarky, genius, evil, bitchy bastard, but I forget sometimes how infantile he can be. Discontimuing the Occlumency lessons was really beyond the pale. A part of me wants to believe that it was a plot device on Rowling's part and while that may or may not be true, it's undeniably part of his character. I do hope he learns to just deal with stuff. But I loved the glimpses into his past, and I can't wait to see what's in store for him. And while I am a bit of a shipper here (and can I say on this point, oh my god, it was so bizarre reading some of that stuff in *canon*) I think that when he and Harry learn to work together they'll be an incredibly formidable team.
Sirius. Never really got the Sirius love, but enjoyed his character development and backstory very much and was sad that he 'died' such an ignoble death (come on, what the hell is that veil thing for if not for us to get to see him again). I didn't cry but I'm sad that Harry's lost him.
Lupin, otoh, I would have loved to see more of. He and Sirius were *such* a married couple! I want to know more about his reaction, what he's been up to, just, everything.
Mrs Weasly, too, I never liked that much; she was so loud and bossy and overwhelming, especially in this one. But her Boggart was extremely moving, very powerful.
Voldemort + co. Was a bit of an anticlimax, although the SuperWizardSmackdown! was great fun. Lucius's one remaining saving grace is Jason Isaacs. Bellatrix Lestrange was interesting.
The Ministry. Was so frustratingly evil.
Kingsly. in my head, is fabulously sexy and cool, even if he is going about putting the mind-whammy on everyone.
The novel: strangely paced, with a slightly unsatisfactory consclusion, and such a heavy mood. Awesome, nevertheless. JKR is a freaking *master*plotter.
Still with me? Betcha wish you weren't.
Here's something funny to end with, then.
The BBC interview:
JEREMY PAXMAN: And you didn't have writers block on [OotP]?
JK ROWLING: No! I just produced a quarter of a million words. It's quite hard to do with writer's block.
JEREMY PAXMAN: That's longer than the New Testament you know.
JK ROWLING: Oh God, stop it. With all these new facts that I didn't know. Is it?
JEREMY PAXMAN: Yeah. By about 70,000 words or something.
JK ROWLING: Do you know the Christian fundamentalists will find a way to turn that into a reason to hate me as well. She's more verbose than God.
Unfortunately, I can't relax yet, I have to work at my nonna's tomorrow and Friday, then to Erin's place on Saturday, then a relative's birthday on Sunday. Monday will be my first relaxing day. I really hate having every day full of just...stuff. I hate the idea that my week is all planned out, that I have to be going all these places. I'm such a lazy shit, I'm desperate for the next four weeks when I just get to do my own thing. There are so many books I wanna read, so many movies to see, so much to catch up on. Having just studied Othello pretty intensively, which I really did love (and ooo Keneth Branagh is an excellent Iago in the Parker movie!) I feel like I'm finally learning to read Shakespeare, so I really wanna get into more of his stuff. I think I'll start with Hamlet. Oh god, there's no point in listing everything I wanna read and watch, it goes on forever.
Cabaret, for those interested (and it's so scandalous lainy that you're not because it's right up your alley *g*), was fanbloodytastic. Todd McKenney as the MC was so enjoyable to watch, he was so sexy and funny, and displayed real pathos at the end (a surprise ending for me, I'd only seen the movie before). The girl who played Sally did a good job, although it's so hard to imagine anyone except Liza Minelli in the role. The guy who played, fuck, I've forgotten his name, the American, did the best he could with a pretty thankless role. He was quite cute although the accent was annoying. The Kit Kat girls were awesome, sexy and decadent and talented and used. One of them doubled as Madame Kost and was hilarious there. The (Kit Kat?) boys were great as well. And I was awed to see that the orchestra (which was beautiful (sorry, it's compulsory)) was actually made up of the Kit Kat girls and boys. The Schultz/Schneider (sp?) storyline dragged a bit, only because it's not so exciting and glam as the rest. Anyway, it was fantastic and I wanna go again, if it's even still on, I'm not sure how long the run is.
Now, about OotP, because it's obligatory. And I love reading everybody else's. I have to reread it, but here're my thoughts anyway. I can't really do much but parrot, I guess, coming so late to the party, so read at your own risk.
Firstly, much kudos to
lainy122 and her family for picking it up for me. Love you! *smooch*I really, really enjoyed it. It was just so much fun to be back there. There was so much to read, so much more to learn about the world, the backstory, everything. It was such a ride. I'm just full of HP love here. I am dying to find out what happens next.
Harry. Lydia has it right. His reactions didn't bother me at all, they seemed natural and in character. It's nice to see him have a bit more character, actually, he's always been a bit of a blank slate. Can't believe he didn't fetch Snape at the end though, that seems a little stupid. And iirc, Hermione was in a position to think of that option as well. I also love it that teaching comes naturally to him; the whole DA storyline was good fun, actually.
Ron. Go Ron! You were sweet in this book. I seem to be in the minority but I abhor that 'Weasly is King' song. You don't deserve that, Ron, the teachers shouldn't allow it. That really got my goat up.
Hermione. Maybe I'm in the minority here as well, but I've never minded Hermione, although that's probably because I identify with her. Her brain was kind of freaky in this book, I must admit; and leading Umbridge to the centaurs? That's pretty mercenary. She's going to be formidable. I would like to know more about her family, so hopefully they will be in the next lot. Prediction: Voldemort will go after them, probably kill one or both.
Ginny. You're a real girl now! Excellent. You so own your brothers.
Speaking of, Percy. Percy, Percy, Percy. I liked you in the first three, I actually did. What happened? When did you become an ass? What was with the OTT glee at the end? Shame.
Fred and George. I do love these two. They cracked me the hell up, and it was certainly needed. And man was the twincest vibe going strong.
Neville. You're like all the other Neos from the previous Matrixes. But it was nice to see you come into your own, and outside of school.
Speaking of St Mungo's: Lockheart! My love! I thought I'd never see you again!
Umbridge: One of the most hateful characters I've ever come across. And not the enjoyable hateful, like Lucius. Reading about her was difficult at times, partly because she was kinda OTT. The pen thing has scarred me for life.
Dumbledore. He's always creeped me out a little with the omniscient vibe, but he was just so...short-sighted...in this book. I don't know what to think. I doubt very much he's evil, but his explanation is really so weak. Someone's written an interesting essay about his motivations, I've forgotten the link, but keep an eye out for it. I'll have to reevaluate, I think, once I've read it again.
McGonagall. You own me!
Snape. I've been waiting and waiting to find out more about him, so I adored his bits (although I wouldn't have said no to more *g*). They also brought me back to reality a bit; he really is one of my all-time favourites and I love him for being such a snarky, genius, evil, bitchy bastard, but I forget sometimes how infantile he can be. Discontimuing the Occlumency lessons was really beyond the pale. A part of me wants to believe that it was a plot device on Rowling's part and while that may or may not be true, it's undeniably part of his character. I do hope he learns to just deal with stuff. But I loved the glimpses into his past, and I can't wait to see what's in store for him. And while I am a bit of a shipper here (and can I say on this point, oh my god, it was so bizarre reading some of that stuff in *canon*) I think that when he and Harry learn to work together they'll be an incredibly formidable team.
Sirius. Never really got the Sirius love, but enjoyed his character development and backstory very much and was sad that he 'died' such an ignoble death (come on, what the hell is that veil thing for if not for us to get to see him again). I didn't cry but I'm sad that Harry's lost him.
Lupin, otoh, I would have loved to see more of. He and Sirius were *such* a married couple! I want to know more about his reaction, what he's been up to, just, everything.
Mrs Weasly, too, I never liked that much; she was so loud and bossy and overwhelming, especially in this one. But her Boggart was extremely moving, very powerful.
Voldemort + co. Was a bit of an anticlimax, although the SuperWizardSmackdown! was great fun. Lucius's one remaining saving grace is Jason Isaacs. Bellatrix Lestrange was interesting.
The Ministry. Was so frustratingly evil.
Kingsly. in my head, is fabulously sexy and cool, even if he is going about putting the mind-whammy on everyone.
The novel: strangely paced, with a slightly unsatisfactory consclusion, and such a heavy mood. Awesome, nevertheless. JKR is a freaking *master*plotter.
Still with me? Betcha wish you weren't.
Here's something funny to end with, then.
The BBC interview:
JEREMY PAXMAN: And you didn't have writers block on [OotP]?
JK ROWLING: No! I just produced a quarter of a million words. It's quite hard to do with writer's block.
JEREMY PAXMAN: That's longer than the New Testament you know.
JK ROWLING: Oh God, stop it. With all these new facts that I didn't know. Is it?
JEREMY PAXMAN: Yeah. By about 70,000 words or something.
JK ROWLING: Do you know the Christian fundamentalists will find a way to turn that into a reason to hate me as well. She's more verbose than God.
