Spontaneous Musings

[Proceed with caution, I'm cranky from lack of sleep and assorted aches and pains. But hey at least the sinus headache is gone. It's been lurking for the last five days, but now, it's finally gone. I think the barometric pressure shifted? It also got colder, so hello radiators. And sigh, overcast again, but we keep getting smatterings of blue sky and sun. The purple roses drooped, so I had to dispose of them, I have two that are hanging in there. Feeling a touch lonely and depressed at the moment, and kind of impotent? Some nitwit just called me to ask for money for "the officers"?
( weird phone call )
Sigh. I feel at times like I'm a nameless and faceless entity living in a senseless world.

Work was well, work.

*****

More April Meme-mage:

12. Do you like playing card games? Which is your favourite?

I'm not into games. I've played card games and actually have done very well at them, then promptly forget the rules. I used to like Solitare and Uno.

13. Have you ever made yoghurt or kefir?

No.

14. What’s your geography knowledge like? If you were given a world map, how many countries could you confidently identify?

Fair to middling? I'm fine to an extent, but there are areas in the world such as ahem, Eastern Europe and the Middle East that like to change their geographical boundaries constantly. As does Africa and Central America.
So I get confused. The geographical map has changed at least five-six times since I was learned it all in junior high.

15. Have you a good sense of direction, or do you rely on maps/online navigation? When was the last time you got lost?

No. I have no sense of direction at all. I rely completely on maps. I rarely get lost, because I rely completely on maps. I always have one. That said - I did get lost once in Greenwood Cemetery, because I did not have a map and had to use the phone to orient myself.

16. Today, in 1850, the French artist Madame Tussaud died. She is known for her wax sculptures of famous figures and for founding Madame Tussaud’s wax museum in London. Have you ever visited the London Wax Museum or any other wax museum worldwide? What did you think of the likenesses of the models?

Yes, I visited Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum way back in the 1980s. It was okay. The models were fairly close in the likeness to what I know of the the actual people - but without having seen any of them in person? It's hard to know for sure. Mainly I found the Museum kind of creepy? Wax museums creep me out. I blame 1960s and 70s schlock horror films.

***

Fandom news...

* Sarah Michelle Gellar Gets a Lead Role in another series ahead of the Buffy Reboot
( excerpt )

In my head - Buffy goes to find help being a Watcher or maybe form a new Watcher Council for the new slayer, because honestly she has better things to do? And hunts down Liam and William running a record store, band, and detective agency out of London.
( Read more... )
*****

Book recommendations

* For those interested in the Crisis in Gaza:

Born Jewish in Nazi Germany, My Journey to Become Anti-Zionist by Suzanne Ross

( synopsis in the words of the author )

* Speculative Science Fiction by Black Women

I'm working my way through Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, which is actually quite good. Octavia Butler was a speculative science fiction writer during the 20th Century and a more than adept wordsmith and writer. (I read Kindred by her - and it is among the few Time Travel novels that blew me away and worked.) Parable of the Sower was first published in 1993, thirty years ago, but the book takes place in 2024-2025. Yes, it takes place now. It's very odd reading a science fiction novel that is taking place in present time, when it was written thirty years before. I find myself checking to see how close the novel is to real events. (Frighteningly so, in some respects? However no where near as bleak. She's writing about an apocalyptic world that a young fifteen year old girl with empathetic abilities (she literally feels the pain of anyone or anything in close proximity to her as if it is happening to her) works to survive within, along with her family and how she does it.)

Octavia Butler Article in the New Yorker

( Excerpt from the New Yorker Article on Butler and the Novel, Parable of the Sower )

Parable of the Sower is also on the Banned Books list.

* Audio Books

Finished Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and working my way through the sequel. The Crooked Kingdom. Six of Crows were my favorite characters in the Shadow and Bone series on Netflix. And the audio book is a treat. It has six narrators, actually seven or eight narrators - one for each character's point of view, since the chapters are split by points of view, similar to GRR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. ( where I for reasons I don't quite understand compare the two novels... )

It's better than expected. Or I'm rather enjoying it more than I thought I would. I'm on a fantasy/science fiction kick at the moment, having gotten burned out on romance novels. This happens to me. I binge a genre to the point in which I eventually get burned out on it. Then after an extensive break? I may zig-zag back to it. The only genre this has not happened with is the sci-fi/fantasy genres. I'm not quite sure why.

1. So, I went to the "writer's meetup" group in my area. Like 90% of these things, ten people RSVP'd with two on the waiting list, with only three people plus the organizer showing up. The organizer doesn't really count for two reasons - 1) we were at his house, so he sort of had to show up, and 2) he's the organizer - you'd hope he'd show up to his own event (although they don't always...bizarre I know, but there it is.)

It was interesting, but...sigh...I don't know if this is going to work out. Granted it's only the second meeting. Eh, best to show you -
( why it is not always a good idea to bring up Buffy in cultural conversations with strangers )
2. Enjoying Feast of Crows - it's a bit like reading an analogy of interconnected short stories. You get slices of these people's lives, and how they interconnect with each other. Also lots of stories within stories. Some horrific, and some touching. In some respects it reminds me of Stephen King's The Stand, except far better written and less grating in places. King's The Stand - had a sexist overtone to it, which admittedly was so 1980s.

I've changed my mind about Cersei. ( spoilers on Feast of Crows, note only 65% through, do not spoil me )
George RR Martin has managed to charm me with his blog, his interviews, and his writing.
Oh dear, am I in danger of becoming fannish? I hope not, he writes very slow. And has the annoying habit of doing other things that are unrelated to Game of Thrones. His fans often want to tie him to a chair and make him finish his Song of Ice and Fire, before he commits to anything else. It's hard thing to be a fan of a story that has yet to be finished and is only half-way through in the telling. Much easier to be one of a story that has been completed and already committed to paper and long published.

Crisp cool day that began with me hugging my alarm clock (literally) and ended with a beautiful clear sunset out my windows.
The hugging alarm clock bit was due to me being only partially awakened by it - while wrestling to shut it off - I fell asleep, woke up, luckily 45 minutes later (6:51 am) and raced about to make to the subway by 7:18, made it to the train station by 7:35, and caught the train to Jamaica. In to work at 8:05, right after my boss - five minutes late, not bad. But very weird to wake up hugging one's alarm clock.

Am debating exploring areas of Brooklyn this weekend to determine new places to hunt for apartments in. Have been invited by a friend from church to check out an area around Brooklyn College. There's apparently some affordable condos out where she lives. But she just moved...might be better to wait a week.

Never know how personal to be in this lj. I think I tend to stick in the middle, flocking the ultra personal posts.

Still making my way through GRR Martin's Feast of Crows - which is a fascinating read, if somewhat of a downer.
( Feast of Crows - vague spoilers )

This week's Grey's Anatomy was hilarious - well if you are geek and got the jokes. Or know geeks and got the jokes. Although I do resent the fact that in all these series none of the leads or regulars are geeks. Hello, completely unrealistic. The stereotype that all geeks wear horn-rimmed glasses, are under the age of 30, and look like Kevin Smith is such a stereotype.
It's ironic considering most of the writers are geeks - do they just have poor self-esteems or something? (Nothing against Kevin Smith - who is a multi-millionaire). Anyhow they bring in this bus-load of comic-con/sci-fi convention attendees who got in a serious accident. One is wearing hobbit ears, another is in a storm-trooper outfit. And the best two are arguing over a toy tardis.

( geeky jokes )

I saw the pilot episode of Game of Thrones tonight. Prior to viewing it, I read a smattering of non-spoilery reviews, two by people who love the fantasy genre and have fairly eclectic taste, both professional television reviewers, Matt Rush of TV Guide and Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly, and three from female reviewers who, well, are either 1)not fans of the fantasy genre or 2)not fans of the books and viewed it unfavorably and then compared it to television series that aren't even in the same trope. This would be akin to me telling you that I dislike Fringe because it doesn't have the scope and multi-faceted point of view or as many various characters as say, The Killing or Game of Thrones. Or stating that Glee isn't as good as Buffy the Vampire Slayer - two different tropes, the only thing they have in common is they are both in high schools. CS Lewis is not wrong - it is dangerous to review a series that falls within a genre that you are not fond of, and even more dangerous to compare it to a television series that is vastly different than it. Granted, you could say Camelot and Borgias are similar - except, I don't believe so, they are historical narratives based on legends, folklore and histories that have been written down by lots of people and are fairly well known and well-studied by many academics and scholars, much like The Tudors and Merlin, as opposed to a series of epic fantasy novels about a make-believe world intricately written by one writer over a ten-fifteen span a lot like say Tolkien did with Lord of the Rings. I haven't seen either (Camelot or The Borgias) and based on the reviews from those who love such things? Have relatively little interest in either for a simple enough reason - I find historicals based on historical record to be relatively dull and often soap-operaish. And I've grown tired of Arthurian Legends that restrict themselves to one version of the mythos, the Medievalist view, ignoring all prior takes. In short, it occurs to me in reading reviews including my own that they are largely subjective and generally unreliable.

The best reviewers I've found are those who have widely diverse taste, even more diverse than mine, perhaps? ( attempt to explain myself )

I know I've commented on all of that before, rather recently in fact, but sometimes I think it bears repeating and it's a topic that has been sticking in my craw lately. So this is me ripping it out.

Did I like Game of Thrones and more importantly will you? Ah. I can answer the first question rather easily, but I'm not certain of the second. Very difficult to determine whether someone else, regardless of how well we know them will like something. Was discussing this with Momster over the phone the other night. About what my father likes. There is no discernible pattern that I can find to his tastes. For example - over 30 years ago - he loved Upstairs Downstairs, he does not however like the new version or Downton Abbey - finds both to be rather slow. Yet, he adores Ballykissangel - which is an Irish Soap Opera and rather similar. Also, he loved Prime Suspect, but finds The Killing to be too bleak. And is a fan of NCIS? Mind boggling. I'd say the man was into sports, but he goes to sleep during football games or he will take off in the middle of one to go rake leaves. OTOH - he has been known to insist on watching the games, and has watched four in a row. Throughout my life - my father has verbally smacked me upside the head for making generalizations, and forcing me to back my arguments up. Which he would probably do here, if he were to read this - stating you can't pigeon hole people or determine a pattern to their tastes any more than you can your own.

( Preamble on the Books, no spoilers, just why I like them and recommend them- somewhat long )

Enuf preamble - The Review

In adapting the television series - HBO is attempting to do what George RR Martin did - create an epic fantasy for television, with multiple points of view, from various ages, genders, etc, and in various settings and locals. It's an ambitious endeavor, far more ambitious than well anything else I've seen to date. Can they pull it off? Don't know yet. Hard to tell from the first episode. But I like experimental television - or "cult" tv. TV which surprises me. This is meant to be a series of novels for television, with each scene building on the next, each character, each point of view,
slowly over time, chapter, by chapter. Intricately layered like one might construct a castle.
In some respects the endeavor reminds me a little of Battlestar Galatica - or maybe the Wire (which I have not seen and can't really comment on - except to say that I know the Wire was an attempt to create an intricately layered novel for television - I'm not sure, but I don't believe it was adapted from an established work and it is within a completely different genre, so comparisons between the two don't work past the fact that they are both experiments. In addition the Wire is over with - it is complete. While Game of Thrones is just beginning.)

The first episode of the television series Game of Thrones sets the scene rather well - we are introduced to the main characters in the initial arc. Others will be introduced as time progresses. And yes, in case you were wondering and have not read it elsewhere - it does follow the book rather closely. There are differences here and there, I'm certain, but I can't remember the book well enough to know what they are. When I state Martin's books are detailed, I'm not joking, you can smell, taste, and touch his world - his language pulls you inside it. You hear his characters talk. Their voices distinctly their own. Here, in the adaptation, I feel that as well, to a degree. There are actors that work in the adaptation better than others.

( spoilers for the television series )
The sex and violence in Martin's novels is somewhat graphic. Although he really doesn't dwell on sexual violence, so much as refer to it. Not sure if that will be true here or not. In my view, it makes the story more realistic. There's a primal feeling to that time period which I think Martin conveys well in his books, a raw energy. And this episode demonstrates that well.

I rather enjoyed this episode and am very pleased that I got HBO. So many perks. First off, no commercials, something people outside the US most likely can't fully appreciate. But to watch a tv show without any breaks in the flow, the need to fast-forward, or the jarring interruption of a commercial - is a pleasure. Also, to be able to not worry about unloading the DVD...so nice.

I don't agree with the detractors. The characters resonated with me. I love Scean Bean's weary Ned Stark, and Catelynn who begs him not to go. Mark Addy's Robert - the King, who really just wants to hunt and whore to his heart's content. And the devilish twins, Jamie and Cersei, one who just wants his sister and to sword-fight, taking little seriously, the other who desires power at any cost.
All the characters, everything about it - fascinates and thrills me like a shiny new toy. Something chewy, to play with. I think I may like the tv series better than I liked the books.

But despite all that? Does this episode succeed in its' aim? To introduce the world, the characters, and the main plot arcs - in a short period of time, without boring exposition? And remain faithful to the books from which it is adapted? All the while jumping between numerous points of view and innovatively expanding on the art form? Yes, I believe it does succeed on all those points. While far from perfect, but things rarely are, it does do what it aims to do, and rather well I think.

Overall rating? A

Just finished watching disc 1 of Season 2 of the L Word. Or the first four episodes of that season, ending with Lynch Pin. Enjoying it, but a couple of characters are grating on my ever living nerve. I can't stand Tina at times, my sympathy, oddly enough, is completely with Bette. Also Dana is begining to grate. But Jenny oddly is growing on me.

( spoilers for The L Word )

Also saw Smallville and Gilmore Girls this week. And watched Sunday's Veronica Mars. Skipped both VM and Lost on Wed, Lost was a re-run and not a particularly good re-run. I did not enjoy the first two episodes of this seasons Lost. Episodes 3-5 however, have been really good. Hurley, Locke, and Jin/Sun being the focus. Michael/Walt and Jack don't interest me as much. Their backstories sort of grate on my nerves. Also saw Nip/Tuck and Grey's Anatomy.

Smallville was entertaining if completely off the wall. ( spoilers, vague ones, for Smallville )

Gilmore Girls...well, the Rory and Loreli not speaking bit is starting to get old and Rory is beginning to get on my nerves again. I need more of Lane and Paris and Doyle, dang it. Lorili and Luke are fun, but the crazy townies are beginning to equally grate. The best parts? Logan and the Parents. Also Luke and Loreli's interactions. Although to be fair, Gilmore is a bit like VM, the season starts slow and picks up speed halfway through, just in time for it's hiatus.

Finished the MArtin book. I read a 896 page book for three characters, one of which only had a scene that was five pages in length and it was the best scene in the book. Ugh. And I'm about to read a 1000 page book for more of this character - a character who is a cross between Spike and Lymond, with a lot more edge, complexity, and less romance. Jamie Lannister is fascinating me enough to wade through pages upon pages of overly descriptive battle scenes and politicking. Martin is a writer who feels compelled to put in every bit and piece of historical and military research he's done in his life and in a fantasy book no lease. It's well written, don't get me wrong, just a bit long-winded. The other two characters that have me enthralled are Arya and Tyrion. The wolf girl and the dwarf. I like Danerys and Jon Snow, but their chapters plod at times.

Do I recommend? Well, depends on what you like. Bloody thing took me two months to finish. Course only read it on the subway to and from work and occassionally before bed. So read about an hour's worth a day, not counting interruptions - subways aren't necessarily always conducive to reading. Depends on whether you get a good seat, how crowded it is and if anyone is talking around you, including the conductor. Martin reminds me a great deal of Tolkien in his meticulous depiction of his world and mythos. The mythos to me seems somewhat ordinary and familar. Reminds me of the Celtic myths with a bit of the German and Norse thrown in. Can even track a few backwards to them. Sort of like that aspect. But he's take on good and evil and humanity is closer to Frank Herbert than Tolkien, he's a tad more cynical and the characters aren't nearly as clean-cut. So if you can imagine reading Tolkien mixed with Herbert in a fantasy setting without dwarves, elves, or fairies, but with dead men walking (zombies or wights), giants, huge wolves, and dragons - you got a good picture of these books.
Add a touch of Dunnett, a bit of Patrick O'brien and Bernard Cornwell. And well there you are.

And yes, I like the books. Am into them enough that I keep checking the book stores for the Feast of Crows. And have completely spoiled myself for Swords - have already flipped through bits of it. I do that. It annoys people, I know. But I like to know if there's a point to keep going when I get bored. And Martin's books all take off at a gallop, plod in the middle, then take off again, flip you over the cliff and leave you there until the next one comes out. Very nasty. Why can't it be, take off at a gallop, flip you over the cliff then slow down at the end? Then I could stop and not have to get the next installment.