3 days in reverse

Today was a very productive day, if I do say so myself.

I had planned on waking up early, for several reasons. I actually asked Jessie to wake me up at 10, which is pretty much dawn for me. I had lots to get done today, but more so than that, I'm trying to escape my nocturnal life. Even before I worked in a bar, I am naturally drawn to the vampire's lifestyle (minus the blood sucking). My peak hours are between 10pm and 3am, generally speaking. But it's rough being on opposite hours from the one you love, so I'm trying to get it so we can fall asleep together once more.

My plans did not succeed. I woke up at 4pm. But! After rising, I made another honey cinnamon latte and had half a bagel with pumpkin butter on top!

latte art is still a no go

I fucking love pumpkin season. In fact, my goal tomorrow is to make my own pumpkin spice sauce for my latte! I'm excited, I'll let you know how it goes. Anyways. After bagel and latte consumption, I did laundry, took the trash out, swept the balcony (it's less ugly now! or at least less covered in sawdust and bugs), and took a shower! And this was all before 6pm!

THEN it gets even better. Being unemployed is doing wonders for my self-betterment project. I practiced my ukulele today! I'm working on learning Living Room by Tegan and Sara. I wouldn't say it was my favorite of theirs, but recently it's in my head all the time. It's not new either, but there's just something about it that has really grown on me. But then again, I love all of Tegan and Sara's songs so much, I wouldn't be surprised if I went through phases of every last one of their songs being my favorite. I recorded myself practicing the strum pattern, but it's pretty terrible and I'm not wearing pants, so you can watch the official music video instead.

Tegan and Sara - Living Room

Jessie started her new quarter today, she had class from 8 until 5ish. After she got home and had a short nap, we went to the Bi-Lo that is going out of business. We maaaay have gotten a little carried away. Luckily we have lots of food stamp money (another plus of being unemployed) so no harm done. Dinner was nothing exciting, we got one of those "chef prepared" steam in the microwave Harris Teeter dinners... it wasn't BAD, but it wasn't great either. But our mashed potatoes are always AWESOME. The mozzarella sticks we got today were a yummy side as well.

Because I am a Halloween and horror fanatic, we watched a scary movie tonight and last night. Tonight's feature was The Devil Inside. It wasn't terrifying by any means, but it might've qualified as creepy. I enjoyed the documentary style, but the ending was weirdly abrupt. I'm sure they were going for that sudden cut of that leaves you jittery and terrified that you're going to be next, but it left me feeling "wait, that's it?" "it's over?" and over all a bit unsatisfied. It wasn't so bad I'd call it a waste of time, but I wouldn't recommend it either. 

Before bed, I finish my productive day with one last thing...

I baked bread!

Well, I'm baking it anyways. I mixed up the dough, and it'll rise all night and I can bake it tomorrow. Homemade bread! I'm really becoming a housewife now! This is my first attempt, I hope it turns out alright! (Thanks to Carrie for the inspiration)

Yesterday I cleaned and unpacked while Jessie was gone at Renaissance Faire dress rehearsal all day.  I met her and a bunch of other rennies at Steak n Shake. 

before

 

after

The s'mores shake is THE SHIT. I still don't understand why they don't have a pumpkin shake though.

We came home and did porridge face! Traveling really didn't do great things for my skin nor Jessie's, so I forced upon her my favorite face mask. Oatmeal, organic plain low-fat yogurt, and honey. (Thanks to Carlie for this one)

#fierce

The day before yesterday I can't remember the beginning of, (this is why I need to hurry and make my Vegas post because I have a horrible memory) but for the last half Jessie and I went to the mall and exchanged her too big shoes for some sexy DCs that have pinstripes and fit! I told her I think I'm developing a shoe fetish because she just looks so damn good in them. (But then I wondered, don't all girls have shoe fetishes? Jessie just stared at me. So I corrected myself- all femmes at least...) Then we went to Kohl's and played pretend in the house section. 

 Caught a gorgeous sunset at the mall

Not Jessie's new shoes, but these vans looked adorable on her as well

LOOK HOW ADORABLE THESE ESPRESSO CUPS ARE (*A*)

Then we came home and had steak with bearnaise sauce, mashed potatoes, cheesy garlic bread, and a salad. It was delicious! We watched Cabin in the Woods (I'd been meaning to see it for ages) and it was AWESOME. Not exactly terrifying either, but a FANTASTIC movie. Really cool. Highly recommend. And there was enough blood and gore to keep me from missing the terror! I was a big fan of the overall concept of the movie too. 

I like a little gore with my steak too!

I've decided to apply to be a substitute teacher or possibly a teacher's assistant. It'd be nice to have benefits and to get in the classroom before going to Japan. I also might be able to work at the Renaissance Faire this year too! I'm excited and really crossing my fingers on that one. I've spent the last year looking into Jessie's world and getting to know her faire family, but it would be really neat to actually become apart of it all. Cross your fingers! Though I don't know what that would mean for going out for Halloween or for going to Scarowinds... Hmmmm. Well, if all else fails, I can always pump myself full of energy drinks and party anyways. I think I might be a little nervous to do Faire, it's just such a commitment, and it really is like joining another world. I've been comfortable on the very outside of that world looking in, but I'm both nervous and excited at the chance to actually cross into it.

Oh, I finished reading Odd Thomas. I'm on Forever Odd now. I've got some quotes for you now. 

This quote from Odd Thomas reminded me of my post on fame and hollywood. I went back and reread it, I didn't really remember writing it but I really like it! Is that weird? Anyways, here's the quote:

""Gladys," Stormy said. "Her name was Gladys, wasn't it?" There is a movie-star fame like that enjoyed by Tom Cruise, rock-star fame like that of Mick Jagger, literary fame, political fame…. But mere fame has grown into real legend when people of different generations remember your mother's name a quarter of a century after your death and nearly half a century after hers."

 

I wonder if we'll ever have another legend like that?

 

Here's a couple from Forever Odd.

 

"When the constellation of Cassiopeia is in this hemisphere and I am able to identify it, I feel less alone. 
This isn't a reasoned response to a configuration of stars, but the heart cannot flourish on logic alone. Unreason is an essential medicine as long as you do not overdose."

 

I really like that last line. 

And here's the last quote, this one on happiness. I agree wholeheartedly with this quote. It's something I'd like everyone to know.

 

""I'm happy," I assured him. 
For a block or so, he didn't say anything. Then:
"You're at peace, son. There's a big difference."
"Which would be what?"
"If you're still, and if you don't hope too much, peace will come to you. It's a grace. But you have to choose happiness."
"It's that easy, is it? Just choose?"
"Making the decision to choose isn't always easy."
I said, "This sounds like you've been thinking too much."
"We sometimes take refuge in misery, a strange kind of comfort."
Although he paused, I said nothing.
He continued: "But no matter what happens in life, happiness is there for us, waiting to be embraced." " 

Well, on that note, I'm going to bed. I have bread to bake and mead to make tomorrow! And maybe tomorrow I'll finally write about the Vegas trip! It's a good thing Jessie has a good memory. She can remember things for me.

Til tomorrow, embrace happiness!

Hunger Games vs. Battle Royale

So I hope everyone enjoyed my Sherlock reference in those first two blog posts. And if you didn't catch it, then we probably can't be friends. Or at the very least, it will be very difficult.

I've been meaning to write this for a while... like say right after I finished The Hunger Games and watched Battle Royale... but life, etc. you know.

I work at a bookstore, so of course, The Hunger Games are a BIG DEAL. Lots of people have been comparing them to Battle Royale, which when I read the books, I had not yet watched (I know, I know, travesty and all that). I have since amended this, and yes, Battle Royale was AWESOME. But I don't think it's fair to say that The Hunger Games were just copying Battle Royale and that Battle Royale was SOOOOOOO much better and The Hunger Games are TOTALLY lame and the same as Twilight.

First off, I should say I have not yet seen The Hunger Games movie. I plan on it, but I don't really pay for movies whenever possible and I work at least 6 days a week so it just hasn't happened yet. All I know about the movie is that the girl that plays Katniss is rather hot. [Wait. Is she legal? Ah, okay she is, never mind, we're good.] So that is to say, I'm comparing a book to a movie, which is never really fair to do.

I'm going to argue that all the naysayers that have been saying Battle Royale is AWESOME and The Hunger Games SUCKS are really just comparing apples and oranges. Why can't they both be delicious? Sure, they're both fruit, but despite that similarity, there are enough differences between the two to make it unfair to force someone to "choose sides" as it were.

The most basic argument I've heard is that both movies are about children being forced to kill each other. While this may seem like a very unique plot, some would say there is no such thing as a unique plot anymore. Every story, whether it be in a book, a movie, a tv show, or anything else, can be pared down to a basic plot that has been done before. Let's face it, it's 2012 and people have been coming stories long before a system of writing had even been created. As time goes on, the harder it will be to come up with unique stories, as is very obvious when one looks at the movies (read: sequels and remakes) that are coming out these days. It's not all bad though, this just is an opportunity for writers to really push the limits of their creativity. No more slacking and using basic ideas, and you can pretty much throw out that novella you started on the teenage vampire in love, because it's been done at least 32 times already. We have a best selling paranormal romance highlights section. Yes, it's come to that point.

Speaking of points, I should get back to mine... Battle Royale and The Hunger Games both play with a similar idea: what if children had to fight each other? But the answers that Koushun Takami and Suzanne Collins gave to that question were quite different.

I'm going to jump ahead to deal with one thing I heard said. "I don't get it, why didn't the kids just NOT kill each other in The Hunger Games? I mean, at least in Battle Royale there were BOMBS so they HAD to kill each other..." I hadn't thought of this until that person said this (a coworker I think) but it's a really interesting observation, and I actually thing it adds a deeper level of observation of the human psyche in both Battle Royale and The Hunger Games. Battle Royale looks at "what if the children were suddenly forced, with no prior knowledge, to kill each other?" whereas in The Hunger Games, the idea is "what if children were raised knowing there was the possibility they would have to kill each other?" These are VERY different scenarios not to mention the fact that in Battle Royale all the children knew each other whereas in The Hunger games, most were strangers. Of course any human, if forced to make the choice, would rather kill someone they didn't know than someone they did. It's easier to rationalize the death of a stranger.

Back to the idea The Hunger Games deals with. What if children were raised knowing they would have to kill each other? This is not so much a look into the human psyche as it is a look at society, humans as a whole. Battle Royale is more a psychological level whereas The Hunger Games could be called more sociological. Battle Royale looks at the individual classmates, all of whom have enemies, crushes, and friends they are now being told to kill. What would this do to a person? How would you react, if in your first year of high school, you were told only one of your class could survive? You have enemies in your class, best friends, and a crush. What horrible conflicting thoughts would battle in your mind? Battle Royale could really be called a psychological gore fest, if you look at it this way.

The Hunger Games is different. For generations and generations, this is the way things have been done. It's in history books. There is no other way. Why didn't the kids just not kill each other? If for no other reason, it's because that's just not the way it's done. When something lasts long enough to become tradition throughout the ages, there IS no other way. Especially not in the minds of young, fearful, society controlled, insecure teens. Not to mention if one kid refused to kill the others, he would be killed, and even on the impossible chance that all the children would not fight, then their families would likely be slaughtered. This is obvious with [slight spoiler] Katniss' rebellious act at the end of the first book and how she pays dearly in the second and last books. [end slight spoiler]

On to another difference. Battle Royale is a snapshot. Other than a few lines of setting the scene at the beginning and a few seconds of a hint of what kind of future awaits, the movie focuses on the single battle royale that this one particular class undergoes. The Hunger Games is more of an epic scale. [SPOILER] By the end of the third book, there are no more hunger games.[END SPOILER] But at the end of Battle Royale... [spoiler] the two surviving children haven't really changed their society at all. In fact, we don't even really know exactly how they are affected by their experiences.[end spoiler] Again I get the feeling of psychology versus sociology. But this particular argument could be different if I read the book Battle Royale. I will admit that.

One of my friends (whom I love dearly despite my disagreement on this particular point) said that by the second and third books, Katniss was so whiny it was intolerable. I would call this "realism." I think Katniss held up rather well considering the SHIT she underwent, I mean, we're talking major PTSD. The fact that she has nightmares for the rest of her life -I- would say was pretty damn realistic.

Something I read somewhere on the internet that I would also like to argue against. [MAJOR spoiler] They said it was out of character for Katniss to settle down and have a family at the end of the third book, because she was always so independent. Okay. For one, she was so opposed to having a family all along BECAUSE of the games. Why would anyone want to have children in a world in which you might have to watch your child die or at best, become a murderer? She didn't want to be with someone because it wouldn't be fair to whomever she was with if he wanted children. I would also argue she was afraid of her own feelings, due to that stubborn idea that showing feelings for someone can make someone look weak. Second. This argument implies that an independent woman (or person in general) cannot be in a committed relationship and be independent. Which I find quite rude and a bit personally insulting.

Final argument to deal with (that I can think of right now). The Hunger Games is just like Twilight.

No. No, no, no.

Okay, yes, movie companies are pushing the FUCK out of this movie and book series with marketing, the advertising is EVERYWHERE and it is COMPLETELY fucking ridiculous. I'm not trying to argue that The Hunger Games series is even worth all the hype. Sure, they're great, I ate them up, I couldn't put them down. But you should see the merchandise. At my bookstore, we sell Hunger Games UMBRELLAS. No joke. You name it, there is a Hunger Games version of it. Movie people are DESPERATE for something big, Harry Potter's over, Twilight is done (thank god) and they reeeeeeeeally need the next big thing. Twilight didn't get as big as Harry Potter and they're in withdrawal after having 8 years of guaranteed hit selling movies/books/posters/jewelry/underwear. So yeah, the hype is a bit over the top. But! That doesn't mean that it's not a great series definitely worth a read. I am guilty of the temptation to scoff at anything that is trending intensely, I understand that, but just because it's fad level popular right now doesn't make it TWILIGHT.

I'm not going to spend much time on this.
1. Plot is better. (and no sparkly vampires)
2. Characterization is better. (the main character has a personality, flaws, and strengths. Both male leads have both flaws and strengths.)
3. It's well written.

Okay. Done with that.

In conclusion, it's okay to love Battle Royale and The Hunger Games. See Battle Royale, read The Hunger Games. I highly recommend both. Comparing is fun, baseless hating is not fun :( .

So thanks for reading this ESSAY I unintentionally wrote. Sorry I didn't correctly italicize my book and movie titles. Are movie titles italicized or in quotes? Oh well, don't care, no longer in school. If anyone actually read all this then... wow... that's kind of amazing....

Next time my blog will probably be something more personal!

Now I'm going to go pee and watch CAPTAIN AMERICA yaaaaay if my internet doesn't fail because it sucks.

Bye!