Reading:
Four weeks after beginning 1984 and my odyssey is finally over. I could go on about the fours hours I spent yesterday finishing the novel, or discuss how the bland diction enhances the narrative, or how deep the betrayal of O'Brian struck me, but, at the moment, I don't feel particularly motivated to discuss such things.
Instead I'd rather talk about a highly self-aware article I stumbled upon called How to Build a Universe That Doesn't Fall Apart Two Days Later by Phillip K. Dick. As a general rule I avoid anything written in first person (yes, the irony of this blog is not lost on me) as I find an unbiased third person narrator far more intriguing and helpful in the development of minor characters. However, the narration of the author who wrote this particular piece may force me to reconsider my position. Concealed behind the rambling anecdotes, lies a well-developed argument about the true nature of reality. Dick goes into great detail about coincidences and life imitating art and art imitating life, although he chooses different words to illustrate his point; the ideas remain the same.
Watching:
As fall is the season of season premiers, several of my favorite shows came back on air last Thursday. Of particular interest was Parks and Recreation, which returned for more laughs on the 20th. The last episode left off with the election of Leslie Knope to the City Council, and I am eager to see how her absence from the Parks department will affect the easily agitated staff.
Following:
On Tuesday I found a delightful new blog: Lucille and Mitt. Somehow between the meme-ic font and the absurd faces, Mitt Romney's antiquated beliefs become oddly more realistic as they develop him as a character instead of a person.
Listening:
After about an hour into a car ride on day trip to Chicago and three Supernatural fan playlists later, I rediscovered my distaste for the Supernatural fandom. However, I did find an enchanting new song The Problem with Saints. Despite my penchant for Joan of Arc I had never considered how she might cope in a modern society.
Eating:
This Wednesday I rediscovered fruit snacks at the urging of my sister. I was not impressed.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
On the Shelf: 9.20.12
It's that time again. At this point the drill should be quite familiar. I have actually made progress on 1984, but perhaps I should pick up a novel I feel more inspired to read constantly so I can provide more interesting perspective rather than my limited reflection on thirty pages of reading.
However, that is all the hard copy material I have to cover this week, so without further ado: this week's segment. I've already passed the introduction of Newspeak, but the idea seemed more like a throwaway reference to the rapidly deteriorating mental capacity of 1984's distopia. Newspeak is the idea of using short words and uncomplicated speech patterns in order to make communication easier. Ironically enough, this provides a small amount of confusion from a narrating perspective as all Newspeak words have to be explained. Thankfully the tireless narrator, with his unique perspective (but that's a blog for another day) gracefully enlightens his audience. In this week's selection we were introduced to Syme, one of the chief editors for the 11th edition of the Newspeak dictionary. I initially wrote him off as a slightly more intelligent but never-the-less mindless slave to Big Brother, however his interactions with Winston (our protagonist) reveal an oddly multi-faceted character. What really made Syme stand out to me was his desire to destroy words. The concept of killing words seems so foreign and unnecessary when applied to our society, but Syme's fervor as he explains his passion for eliminating words that no longer have relevance provides an intriguing look into the heart of Big Brother. His intelligence contrasts with his blind devotion paints an interesting picture of how talents are put to use in the new world.
However, that is all the hard copy material I have to cover this week, so without further ado: this week's segment. I've already passed the introduction of Newspeak, but the idea seemed more like a throwaway reference to the rapidly deteriorating mental capacity of 1984's distopia. Newspeak is the idea of using short words and uncomplicated speech patterns in order to make communication easier. Ironically enough, this provides a small amount of confusion from a narrating perspective as all Newspeak words have to be explained. Thankfully the tireless narrator, with his unique perspective (but that's a blog for another day) gracefully enlightens his audience. In this week's selection we were introduced to Syme, one of the chief editors for the 11th edition of the Newspeak dictionary. I initially wrote him off as a slightly more intelligent but never-the-less mindless slave to Big Brother, however his interactions with Winston (our protagonist) reveal an oddly multi-faceted character. What really made Syme stand out to me was his desire to destroy words. The concept of killing words seems so foreign and unnecessary when applied to our society, but Syme's fervor as he explains his passion for eliminating words that no longer have relevance provides an intriguing look into the heart of Big Brother. His intelligence contrasts with his blind devotion paints an interesting picture of how talents are put to use in the new world.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
On the Shelf 9.13.12
Well, I lied again. Somehow between the increase in after school activities, the college visits and chatting with grandparents I have not progressed further in any of my novels. By that I mostly mean 1984, which I would promise to complete by next week, but, at this point, that's probably not going to happen. I can claim it as my goal, though. So goal for the upcoming week: complete 1984. Perhaps this weekend will be kinder to my free-time, but my expectations are rather low.
I have, however, started No Country For Old Men. I had heard several positive reviews of the novel from people I hold in high esteem, but it just didn't work for me. To be fair, I don't really blame the book for the lack of my interest. In the first ten pages the unique approach to dialog (atypical punctuation) stood out to me, but I found the dry imagery and solitude of the opening passage utterly unappealing. Perhaps I'll attempt to give it another try someday, but for now I shall place it back on the shelf.
The Blatantly Copied from HL Because She Has Clever Ideas And I Am Sad And Lazy Section (or Honorable Mentions of the Week):
Gravity Falls.
Lately my sister and I have been engaged in an extensive debate regarding the merits of children's television programs. KF and I have had differing opinions in entertainment since Twilight became a popular series, but I find her unwillingness to accept that genuine enjoyment can be derived from children's programs incredibly frustrating. Gravity Falls, however, has mostly sweet characters with a healthy dose of dry wit and sarcasm in a carefully concocted blend of summer camp meets mystery novel. It has the typical kid with the precocious crush, monster hunts, and oddly enthusiastic help but the heart of the show is the well-paced humor, the genre savvy twins and the endearing approach it takes to the character quirks.
And really, what other kids show could get away with body outlines?
Thursday, September 6, 2012
On the Shelf 9.6.12
This Week's Reading:
Resuming my sluggish pace for reading, I only have thirty more pages under my belt for 1984. However, in the spirit of achievement and an increase in time I will spend in a car, I believe I will finish reading it by next week. Granted, that's what I told myself last week, but this week I'm telling myself I'm not lying. Because that always works. But I digress.
Anyway, of the pages I did read, Big Brother's concept of reality struck me most. For those who haven't read 1984, and based on who actually reads this is, at most, one person, the section of the Minitrue (Ministry of Truth) that our protagonist, Winston Smith, works in, is in charge of correcting 'false' information previously released. So basically, Big Brother and the Ministries make projections about supplies, wars and patterns of the future. These patterns are usually found inaccurate and then Minitrue employees are asked to correct them. The original assumption I made was simply that the disutopia eliminated information that shed a less that positive light on Big Brother and the authorities of Oceania. However, Winston reveals that the even the original statements were equally inaccurate as the new 'real' results. The thought of the truth being so muddied and uncertain that even those manipulating the information were confused is a terrifying one that strikes a little too close to home.
Honorable Mention of the Week:
Chuck Cunningham Syndrome. Yes, I'm back at tv tropes again. This trope covers a character who has been killed off or 'put on a bus' (sent away for an undefinable period with little to no explanation) because the author was sick of writing for them. I found myself spending a fair amount of time on the page as it reminded me of some of my old interests and characters I hadn't realized I had missed.
Resuming my sluggish pace for reading, I only have thirty more pages under my belt for 1984. However, in the spirit of achievement and an increase in time I will spend in a car, I believe I will finish reading it by next week. Granted, that's what I told myself last week, but this week I'm telling myself I'm not lying. Because that always works. But I digress.
Anyway, of the pages I did read, Big Brother's concept of reality struck me most. For those who haven't read 1984, and based on who actually reads this is, at most, one person, the section of the Minitrue (Ministry of Truth) that our protagonist, Winston Smith, works in, is in charge of correcting 'false' information previously released. So basically, Big Brother and the Ministries make projections about supplies, wars and patterns of the future. These patterns are usually found inaccurate and then Minitrue employees are asked to correct them. The original assumption I made was simply that the disutopia eliminated information that shed a less that positive light on Big Brother and the authorities of Oceania. However, Winston reveals that the even the original statements were equally inaccurate as the new 'real' results. The thought of the truth being so muddied and uncertain that even those manipulating the information were confused is a terrifying one that strikes a little too close to home.
Honorable Mention of the Week:
Chuck Cunningham Syndrome. Yes, I'm back at tv tropes again. This trope covers a character who has been killed off or 'put on a bus' (sent away for an undefinable period with little to no explanation) because the author was sick of writing for them. I found myself spending a fair amount of time on the page as it reminded me of some of my old interests and characters I hadn't realized I had missed.
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