Twilight

I know I know I know there are already that many blogs etc devoted to twilight and probably just as many expressing their contempt of Stephanie Myers's books but I wanted to add my own opinion, without perhaps the amount of hype it received in America.
I got on to Twilight through a friend who kept having facebook status changes expressing her thoughts on the latest book. I will read most things to give them a go and see what I think and this was one of those cases (apart from Harry Potter just could never get into that).

I bought my own copy for some reason and began reading straight away. I'm not going to go much into the story as I'm sure most are very aware of the plot line if not through the book then the movie which has now also come out here in Australia too.

To begin with I was quite annoyed with Bella as so many are. I found her character to be annoying, I had no idea why so many people wanted to be her friend and why every guy in the school wanted to date her. She seemed to get herself into the stupidest situations without knowledge or any air of awareness at all, and it just didn't ring true in any sense (I know I am talking about a book with vampires but come on).
Edward's (said vampire) dreaminess was mentioned annoying so on every second page but he never really did anything for me. Maybe because I'm too old to be reading this stuff.
The book didn't get too interesting for me until about 2/3s in when it seemed like an actual plot line started to develop. And then I admit I got hooked in and wanted to read more. My co worker (a converted Twilight nut) then placed the second book on my desk (her copy) before I got to work one day and I will also admit I am reading it now, and really prefer Jacob to Edward.

Bella is still annoying but unfortunately I've probaly suckered myself into reading the whole series now. If I were to give advice I'd say don't bother and save yourselves the pain I'm surely in for, but if you want some mindless fluff to read go right ahead.

Holidays

Yay so I'm on holidays..from one job anyway - I get two weeks off from the office life.

I'm beginning to agree with my dad that maybe primary and high school are the best years of your life. I remember thinking at the time, is he crazy? I was miserable for the first couple of years of high school. High school is the worse unless you're in the 'popular' crowd. Luckily I had some good friends, got over my awkwardness (mostly) and got through it and mostly had fun.

But to think of all the summer holidays we had, man I miss that. I wish I had endless time to enjoy the heat stifling summer we have and not have to commute on a train at peak hour and try and sneak a peak at what other people are reading (this morning The White Tiger, Aravind Adig, lady in red top next to me who dropped her aspirin).

Anyway I'll have to be content to take my 2 weeks. At least the bf and I are going down south for a couple of days although we will need to find a babysitter for the dog (thanks Mum in advance!).

Also on a side note, I watched Teen Witch the other day for the first time in preparation for the 80s fun in February (my 25th) and that was possibly the strangest 80s movie I've seen yet. I know a few of them can be out there (Better Off Dead with John Cusack comes to mind) but this was just random. Pretty bad acting by a few, the brother character was plain weird, dodgy situations, a rapping boyband esque trio. But check out the costume change towards the middle for a dance. Awesome tragic 80s: fluro taffetta skirt, side fluffy hair, orange eye shadow!Apparently the main character though is Blake Lively's sister Robyn who is some big deal on Gossip Girl? I don't watch it but it also had the little lady from Poltergeist in it (can I say little lady?). Strange but somewhat interesting.

The Road

Wow, this one is a doozy. I was researching at work one day (nothing to do with my job) for interesting books and came across some random list of top books in the past few years.

Cormac McCarthy's The Road was found a few times. I have a rather sick fascination with end of the world stories (loved Stephen King's The Stand). They usually have so many depressing moments but still I read with macabre fascination, and there's always the what if situation - how would we as a society cope?

We never learn the names of the protagonists, a son and father, nor do we know what year it is, but through flashbacks can piece together that some sort of disaster perhaps relating to global warming or maybe war has lead the earth to become what it is.

My immediate reaction after (and during) the book was one of depression. This is not sugarcoated in anyway. We hear about roasting babies, slaves and all the other hopeless things the son and father endure to survive. You can't help wondering why they bother, but I guess this is the human spirit, to simply keep enduring. The style of writing is very casual with no proper punctuation used, for example during conversations. Once I started reading, I didn't really stop for breaks. You really just want to find out where it's all leading. You get the impression it's hopeless but it's still so intriguing you can't stop. The scary thing is the book reaches you as it is not unbelievable, we've seen what humans will do to save themselves and it rings true. Also with the world climate as of late, the events do not seem so unfounded. Overall an interesting read that stays with you.

This Charming Man

I finished reading This Charming Man by Marian Keys yesterday. I like to mix up my chick lit with other more ‘serious’ or ‘respected’ authors and books and while this book does fall under the chick lit banner it dealt with more serious issues such as domestic abuse and alcoholism.

While I could relate somewhat to the alcoholic storyline somewhat I have had no experience whatsoever with domestic abuse. I felt that the issues were dealt with in a respectable manner while Marian also kept her trademark wit about the storylines.

She interweaves the lives of 4 women who all have a connection to Paddy de Courcy. He is a politican who has charmed all of them in some way, but there are many secrets that are revealed throughout the book about all of the characters.

It is quite a thick book which I didn’t have a problem with (except on the days when I take a train to work and I gained a bit of weight in my bag) and perhaps certain bits could have been cut but it did show each characters journey and gave them more depth.

I would recommend this book if you like this type of Irish chick lit, Keys is better than most in this category and as she is a self confessed alcoholic you feel she knows what she’s talking about.

Pump Up the Volume

Okay so I am in the midst of planning an 80's themed 25th birthday party (born in 84 love the music, and movies not so much the fashion but that's part of the fun) and it is interesting. I love the idea of planning a party but I'm such a scared freak when it comes to actually holding it.

I don't want to be that annoying party host whose asking everyone if they're having a good time or not; or spending way too long wondering if guests are going to get along alright or not; or if I invite my brother will he be embarrassing and actually wear the superman outfit?

I have been watching some 80s movies I haven't seen before (sacrilige) to also help me get in the mood, started watching Pump up the volume last night with a good looking young Christian Slater in it. While it isn't what I expected I'm enjoying it, next up is Teen Witch which sounds very similar to Sabrina the teenage witch and then the Outsiders.

I do have some ideas: twister, my boyfriend recently bought me an old sega master system which apparently came out in 1985 (I love Wonderboy, tried to get Paperboy but the games store had the cover but not the cartridge - had to stop myself from writing disc then!) and also singstar with 80's hits, technically obviously not 80s but points for karoke!

Of course there is also the issue of fancy dress: will people make enough of an effort? I think it is a lot easier for girls. You've got the big hair option, side ponytail, scrunchies, big headbands and of course shoulder pads, off the shoulder tops, bright colours or failing that there's always dressing as Madonna or Cyndi Lauper.


But I just wonder if the guys will get into it. I asked my Dad for insight into 80s parties (he was 22 in 84) and the best I got was no pre-mixed spirits in cans. I guess there always is the mullet as a staple from the time and skinny ties.
The 80s was supposed to be about power dressing but that was more for the women who were trying to prove they were as good and deserved to earn as much as the men. The 80s for fancy dress is not as easy to define as say the 60's/70's (go as a hippy, serve fondue and you're set) or the 50's where I'd suppose men could go as Elvis and girls could wear flouncy skirts a la Grease.

I really really want to have a party though...I never do much for my birthday and it's always fun to dress up (and get presents)..so I'm just going to suck it up and get over my fears somehow. Plying everyone with liquor usually helps.

Play

Ok so I was reading a blog called the Chick Manifesto and had this interesting idea about answering questions based on your ipod songs..



Rules:

1. Put Your iTunes, Windows Media Player, Winamp, etc on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.

4. Put the artist after a dash following the song name.

5. Put any comments in brackets.

6. Tag some lucky people to spread the disease.




How would you describe yourself?

If you leave me now - chicago



How do you feel today?

Lovefool - the cardigans



What is your life’s purpose?

Trick me twice-kellis



What is your motto?

You keep me hanging on - Kim Wilde (I'm seeing a pattern :P)



What do you think about very often?

Umbrella - Rhianna



What is your life story?

I like you so much better when you're naked - Ida Maria



What do you want to be when you grow up?

In the shadows - the rasmus



What will you dance to at your wedding?

Everybody's fool - Evanescence



What is your hobby/interest?

Run It - Chris Brown



If you could do anything right now, what would it be?

From me to you - beatles



What do you want most of all?


My love - paul mccartney



What is your greatest fear?

Don't you want me baby - human league



What is your darkest secret?

We've only just begun - carpenters



What is your favorite thing in the world?

knock on wood - amii stewart



If you could have one wish, what would you wish for?

I second that emotion - smokey robinson



What is your theme song?

harpoon - jebediah



The next time you hear this song (aside from now, that is), you must dance.

you got it (anything you want) - roy orbinson



What will you post this as? Play - Jennfier Lopez



Overall I realised a lot of my song titles kinda sound depressing!

Reliving past memories

There has been such an influx of snark online about all my old favourite books when I was in what they would now call the tween market. While I love reading the snark sites devoted to various series (the Baby-Sitters Club) or authors (Christopher Pike etc) I still feel that nostalgic twinge when I see the covers. As lame as it sounds, seeing the covers again, instantly reminds me of how I felt about the book, I immediately know whether it was one of my favourites and also what I was doing at that time. Books just don't hold that power over me anymore..maybe they will in time but for the moment they're a diversion; something to read while at my desk at work or on the train if I feel like avoiding people. I still love to read and do try to challenge myself instead of just grabbing the latest chick lit, but I can't imagine myself getting that nostalgic over the covers.

One of my favourite series which I bought from ebay at the beginning of the year was Pen Pals. This has outdated so much for so many reasons, not only the most obvious ones being no one receives letters anymore (but is this a good thing?).

Brownlow medal

I believe I started this blog while at uni when we all had to try it for a technology and enterprise unit, and I've pretty much forgot about it..anyway trying to be a more regular poster and the first thing I thought to write about was the brownlow medal count here in Australia.

For those who don't know it is for australian rules football (AFL) and is held the week before the grand final and basically celebrates the great players of the season and the winner gets the aforementioned brownlow medal based on votes during the seasons games as determined by the umpires.

Now in recent years the night has really become all about the WAGS (wives and girlfriends) of the players. It's their turn to dress up and have a night out after supporting their partners through the long season.

Now as you can imagine the fashions are sometimes interesting. It could be compared to any awards night in Hollywood with the A grade celebrities (your Rebecca Twigly with Carlton player Chris Judd) who are photographed from every angle and interviewed for 5 minutes. And then you have your B grade celebrities who are maybe trying to break into the market (acting in Hollywood, generally modelling or fashion at the Brownlows) who will wear low cut revealing outfits to make a memorable appearance.

Now I have a couple of problems with this ceremony. First it's become all about the girls - the guys basically show up in a bow tie and stand to the side while their girlfriend is interviewed the most, and the night is actually meant to be about the football.

Secondly, I heard a segment on the radio yesterday describing some of the fashions this year. Now apparently if you wear an outfit which is down to your bellybutton it is fine if you are slim. If you are not twig like, then the outfit is suddenly 'inappropriate' for your figure. Surely if an outfit is inappropriate on one person, a similar outfit is inappropriate again, your weight should not matter. But double standards prevail for women on a myraid of issues so I should not be surprised, but for some reason it really annoyed me yesterday.

RIP Heath

Going against what I set out to do, but I couldn't not say something about Heath. It's so tragic and sad, particularly as I am from and live in Perth where Heath lived until he was 16 and still has family here. One memory I have about Heath's film career was seeing 10 Things I hate about you, when I was about 16 at the cinemas in Midland and then driving past Guildford Grammar high school and thinking "That's where he grew up and now he's a hollywood star." At the time it seemed awe-inspiring, and this was back in 1999 when Perth didn't really produce many entertainers. And also I was a 16 year old with a bit of a crush.
Anyway, I digress. It's so sad, when I think of all the talented roles he would have taken on. At that time, he hadn't done a lot on the US but had done a terrific job in Two Hands. And since A Knights Tale, the rest is history. What can I say, I'm a bit in shock.

Why not?

Well being not very computer literate, I just wanted to comment on another blog and ended up with my own...and then thought why not? My comments are probaly less interesting than some of them out there but not too boring..I hope! So first post done and I think I'm the first person born on the 9th Feb from Australia on here so there you go!