Finally a Break
Date: Dec 11th, 2008 8:52:31 pm - Subscribe
Mood: pleasant
Book Currently Reading: The Tipping Point
Exams are finally over for me. Three weeks of blissful non-school. Just work and crochet. That's all I'm obligated to do. There will probably be the occasional hanging out with people who stay in Kalamazoo over break, but other than that... peace.
Too bad I don't like to be alone very much. Especially when I don't have cable. I need to start adding to my DVD collection, because I'm tired of all the movies I have.
But I have lots of Christmas presents to crochet... and lots of books to read, so that's the plan I suppose.
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For lack of anything better to write about right now... I'll make a book recommendation.
read: The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
It's a really interesting book that takes a look at various instances in which a small event or change in something caused a big, dramatic change for the whole. It's really interesting and it makes you see fads and epidemics a lot differently after you read it.
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Dear Teenagers...
Date: Dec 9th, 2008 4:22:53 pm - Subscribe
Mood: upside-down
Book Currently Reading: The Tipping Point
The Jimmy Johns parking lot has not been built for you to do naughty things in you car. Especially while my store is still open. I do not believe that I put up a sign saying you could park in the front of my store along a busy road, to do things there because you don't have your own place. I'm sorry that your parents might not approve, but that's not my problem. Next time, I'm calling the cops. Consider yourself lucky.
Sincerely,
Annoyed Store Manager
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Yes, I read Twilight
Date: Dec 7th, 2008 6:38:52 pm - Subscribe
Mood: drowsy
Book Currently Reading: The Tipping Point
I was extremely skeptical about reading "Twilight." There seems to be this huge mass of female readers who are completely obsessed with that book/series, and I didn't really understand why. So I decided that I would attempt a read through of that book, to see what all the hype was about.
To be fair, it is an engaging book. Total it probably took me about 6-7 hours to read over the course of one night and the following day. It was written in a way that I wanted to keep reading. I also didn't have anything else to do on Friday. But the way the words are situated on the page and the size of the print makes the reading fast for any experienced reader.
But I did have a problem with the book. To me, it felt like one long, really bad chick flick. And trust me, I like chick flicks. To me, nothing exciting happens in the book. Even at the end I found myself closing the book more than in other parts of the book.
The reason I found the "suspenseful" part of the book boring was because no one was in any real danger. Sure there were times when the vampires really weren't sure about what was going to happen, and Bella got the shit kicked out of her, but everything turned out bright and happy in the end. I think I would have found it more compelling if someone died or there was some real danger. Especially finding out that Bella's mother was safe all along and Jason only tricked Bella into thinking he had her mother. What's the danger and excitement in that?
The other problem I had was with Bella's character. I liked her in the beginning. She seemed like an independent teenage girl, who had to grow up quicker than she may have liked. She made an important decision to move all the way north away from her mother and from Phoenix, just to see if she could live in Forks and not hate it so much. One of my favorite parts was when Edward had his car in front of hers and wouldn't let anyone out of the parking lot. Her thoughts about smashing into the back of his car with her monster truck were so funny. She was sure of herself and I liked that.
But then she and Edward fell in love, and Bella turned into a weak character. She needed Edward for everything. And Edward just couldn't keep his nose out of her business. Personally, I would have been pissed if I found out someone was watching me sleep. It's creepy. Bella ceased to be an independent teenage girl, and I found myself greatly disliking her.
And I don't want to hear anything about "but they were in love." In my cynical age and personality, they're too young to be in love. They're too young to know what any of that is about.
And while Edward seems like such an amazing guy... ladies, he is only a fictional character, and I have my doubts as to real men like that actually existing. If they do, they are rare.
So my advice is to get out there and read something with some literary merit. Trust me, characters with flaws are much more interesting that absolutely perfect characters.
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Philosophy of Spongebob
Date: Jul 3rd, 2008 6:18:01 am - Subscribe
Mood: upside-down
Book Currently Reading: Wideacre
There's so much we as Americans can learn from that yellow sponge on Nickelodeon. I've watched enough Spongebob Squarepants to know that it can be kind of annoying. I also know that there is a lot that goes over young children's heads. But that is what I find so fascinating about that cartoon.
1. Love Yourself
Spongebob is always finding some way to feel good about himself that is not harmful. He owns an inspirational quote calender that calls him a winner. How could he not love himself with that sort of motivation every day?
He finds activities that he loves to do. An expert bubble blower and an avid jelly fisher, Spongebob is always branching out with his best friend, Patrick, and spending lots of time pursuing those activities that he loves. Thusly, he feels good about himself, as anyone does when they do something that they truly love.
2. Love Your Job
Spongebob is a fry cook at the Krusty Krab. Every day for little pay, he makes hamburgers and fries. In our society, working a fast food type environment seems low. People assume that those jobs can only be held by people who did not go to college or just don't have the motivation to try.
Not Spongebob. This persistent little sponge loves his job, no matter how greasy and fattening it is. He goes to work, rain or shine, sick or dead on his feet. He's always there, ready to work, and completely devastated when he must take vacation time.
3. Keep Your Enemies Closer
While I don't think Spongebob realizes how much Squidward hates him, he still tries frequently to be his friend and to help him in. And like any friendship, Spongebob sometimes asks Squirdward for help when he needs it. While Squirdward won't always help Spongebob out, Spongebob still thinks very highly of Squirdward.
The same can be said about Plankton. Despite the ongoing rivelry between The Chum Bucket and the Krusty Krab, Spongebob is still almost always friendly to Plankton, unless he's trying to walk out the door with a Krabby Patty.
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