Nothing but Song

Feeling :  cranky  Listening :  Cookie Jar - Gym Class Heroes  Reading :  Claudia and the New Girl

So, even though July 11 was the iPocalypse (and coincidentally, my dad’s 65th birthday), I went ahead and upgraded my first gen iPhone to the 2.0 firmware. It was pretty easy. No muss, no fuss. I’m not keen on upgrading to the 3G just yet. The only difference that I can see is the speed, the phone/data plan prices, and the fact that it’s got GPS on it.

I’m of the school where you run your shit into the ground and when it cannot be repaired, you replace it. I’m going to have this phone until that happens. I will also be doing that with my car, and prolly my computer too. Plus I’ve never been an early adopter of anything. I always wait and salivate over things for months before the madness gets hold of me, and I have to have it. I was like that with my iPods too.

I’m incredibly tickled by the Apps they have for it. Apps completely expand what the iPhone is capable of. Right now, I have AIM, AirMe, BlipSolitaire, BoxOffice, CheckPlease, Facebook, Light, Morocco, MySpace Mobile, PhoneSaber, and RubyRepeat installed. Those are only the free apps. I would prolly go around and buy up the whole store, but alas, I am practicing restraint.

I do have two and a half more terms of school left, ya know.

I will admit, some of the apps (not going to say which) are a bit buggy and slow-loading *coughmyspacecough*, but I look forward to the time when the kinks are all worked out. It’ll be a smooth ride, someday soon I hope. I truly believe that Steve and the crew are working behind the scenes to make it so. The iPhone is definitely on its way to being a one-stop shop for those of us who need to be connected.

Haters to the left! I’m talking to you, Ate M.

Also, I decided to combine Cydonia with my Flickr. The Cydonia subdomain now redirects to my Flickr photostream. I deleted “my greatest hits” on Flickr, and uploaded the pics from Cydonia into it. In addition, AirMe is an app that allows you to post photos via Flickr directly from your iPhone. So I expect to be doing that more often as well.

I’m also going through this bizarro suspense/horror/sci-fi creative phase. This is probably because I’ve spent the last two weeks reading all the episode summaries of the classic Twilight Zone series, haha. As such, I wrote my own little short story spin on the “Static” episode. I think it needs to be tightened up a little, then I’ll get a beta reader. Plus the last few ideas I’ve been struck with have this sci-fi slant to ‘em all. It’s amazing what a creative mind will spew out sometimes.

Speaking of “Twilight,” I finished “Eclipse” the other day. It was okay, I guess. I’m sorry, but I still have trouble believing that people like these books. I tried to be open-minded, I really did, but reading the series as a whole was like reading a teenage girl’s fanfiction. The dialogue, the situations, the tone, everything felt very juvenile.

I understand that the books are meant for a young adult audience, but you don’t have to sound like them to get them to like your books. It’s a very sad realization to me when books like “Twilight” are acceptable reads for anybody. It kind of lowers the bar, being a writer myself. Unpublished, yes, but if writing like Stephenie Meyer is going to get my things published, I’ll keep them to myself, thanks.

The Cullens are fascinating characters though. I look forward to “Midnight Sun” only because it’s from Edward’s point of view, though I am not keen on revisiting “Twilight” again in that sense. By that premise alone, I’m sure that book will be nothing more than fanservice. SMeyer needs to branch out a bit. Also, Jacob should get his own series or something. I think he really grew on me in “Eclipse.” I didn’t like him so much in “New Moon,” but I definitely grew to like him in “Eclipse.” He’s a misunderstood boy who deserves to be explored further.

Also, I’m thinking about upgrading my account at LibraryThing. You’re only allowed to catalogue 200 books. But if you upgrade to a one-time lifetime membership, you can catalogue as many as you’d like. Now that I’m investing in my book collection again, I think both a lifetime membership and a CueCat would make my life complete.

It’s the little things that make me happy.

My sister-in-law is due with the newest addition to our family (a girl they’re gonna name Michaela Gemini) in September. I wish I could go to her baby shower; it’s the first weekend of August. But I don’t think I could ask for vacation this short of notice. Plus I don’t think I have any money. I had to spend some of my savings to help my parents out. Mind you, it wasn’t a huge amount, and helping my parents out is the least I can do, but still. I want to use that money for my own plans, you know. *le sigh* I’m gonna save up and get some things on their registries, so I don’t look like a shitty ninang, rofl.

And hey, I finally found 43 things I want to accomplish in my life. Yay!

?: “Is it just me or does everybody in the world seem to be pregnant?“

Feeling :  full  Listening :  Cookie Jar - Gym Class Heroes  Reading :  Dawn and the Impossible Three by Ann M. Martin

So, if you haven’t been keeping up or don’t know, Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes got into a kerfuffle with a heckler at the St. Louis Warped Tour date. For the TL;DR crowd: racial slurs were spoken, Travis tried to handle it, heckler hit his bad knee as he was climbing up onstage, Travis cracked a mic over the dude’s head. Apparently, he’s been arrested for it. I’m in shock.

I wish he hadn’t let his temper get the best of him, because the kid who called him the n-word looked like he was biracial like Travie. I just hope it gets resolved where justice is served. I had such a badass time at the Joint last Friday, it would suck that the fans on the rest of Warped wouldn’t be able to enjoy the love that is Gym Class status. But I don’t think I would be able to think straight if 1) someone called me a racial slur, and 2) hit my bad knee. So I kinda see it from both sides.

I found a site that was streaming “Cookie Jar” through the GCH LJ. I’m obsessed with “Cookie Jar” and “Press 7″ by Tyga. They are on constant repeat right now.

I went to the used bookstore again this week! Only spent $10 now. Here is a list of my newest acquisitions…

(hardcover)
“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott
“Jack and Jill” by Louisa May Alcott
“Little Men” by Louisa May Alcott
“Eight Cousins” by Louisa May Alcott
“Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens

(paperback)
“Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie
“In Her Shoes” by Jennifer Weiner
“Girl With a Pearl Earring” by Tracy Chevalier
“The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Patricia Highsmith
“Dawn and Too Many Sitters” by Ann M. Martin
“The Open Boat and Other Stories” by Stephen Crane

I also downloaded Kai’s self-titled album, Malyssa’s “Reminisce,” and Hoku’s “Listen Up” EP from the iTunes store the other day. I had Kai and Malyssa, but I lost them.

As for Hoku, I have some ’splaining to do. At the bookstore, they also sell used CDs. One of them was Hoku’s self-titled CD. I had a copy of it, but I lost it somewhere between here and the three houses we’ve owned/rented here in Vegas. It was autographed too. Anyways, I wanted to know what Hoku was up to, and it turns out she’s still making music! “Listen Up” is definitely a fun EP. “Closer” is so sexy. I didn’t think she was like that, considering she was really into her faith. I had to put the song on my Moneymaker playlist, haha.

Also, I watched “The History Boys” the other day, and I just have to say, I less than three the movie. The film is based on the award winning play by Alan Bennett, which ran at the National Theatre in London from May 2004 until April 2005. The music they used drew me in, “Blue Monday” by New Order and “This Charming Man” by the Smiths in the first couple of scenes. But the script itself was so good, and the actors (who starred in the first staging of the play) completely sold me on their roles.

When a 1980s class achieves the best scores ever at Cutlers’ Grammar School for boys in Sheffield (Yorkshire, northern England), the petty headmaster, who craves the prestige like the parents, recruits a young Oxford graduate, Irwin, to prepare them for the general entry exams for the world class universities of Oxford and Cambridge. He stresses that takes not just delivering what all schools prepare for, but -if they even really want to go- standing out by a different approach and perspective: surprising quotations and associations, the other side of the coin, witty phrasing… Actually good foundations were laid by the current staff, less by history teacher Dorothy Lintott, a frustrated liberal feminist without actual impact, then by the enthusiasm-arousing ‘Hector’ in General Studies, who gets their attention and makes them think trough literature, open discussion, role-play and performing declamation and song, at both of which the only Jewish (like the Muslim, fully integrated) boy, sensitive gentle gay David, excels. Alas, when the headmaster learns that the caring, paternal Hector once innocently touched a boy’s privates, he insists on ‘graceful’ early retirement, a personal drama with surprising twists in the end. Meanwhile the irresistible class flirt, Dakin, skillfully tests all borders including his and Irwin’s sexual orientation, and all consider what they really aspire and care for, in studies and life.

It also doesn’t help that they cast such gorgeous specimens for the boys. Yum. I recognized Russell Tovey (Rudge) played Toby from Doctor Who’s Christmas special, “Voyage of the Damned.” Andrew Knott (Lockwood) played Dickon in “The Secret Garden” a million years ago. And Dominic Cooper (Dakin) is gonna be in “Mamma Mia!” and “The Duchess” with my girl Keira Knightley. And I’ve got a huge crush on Jamie Parker (Scripps).

Plus it was funny to see Richard Griffiths (who plays Harry’s uncle in the HP films) in his role. Frances de la Tour (who played Madame Maxime in GOF) played the only female lead. And Stephen Campbell Moore was so incredibly good. In the scene where Dakin propositions him, you can see it in his eyes how much he wants Dakin.

I highly recommend “The History Boys” if you haven’t seen it already. Obviously I’ve like a year too late, but that’s always how it happens for me. Either I get in on the ground floor for fangirling, or I’m light years behind everyone else!

?: “Best song that describes summer?”

Feeling :  contemplative  Listening :  Holidays in the Sun - The Sex Pistols  Reading :  Journey to the Center of the Earth and Boxcar Children #2 (what can I say?)

OH LORD. This week at work… completely and fully indescribable. But I’ll try.

I had 2 early shifts, and I was nonstop on both days. I was supposed to work tomorrow but I finagled my way out of it. Not on purpose. I said I had plans Friday night (I’ve got a date with Gym Class Heroes/The Academy Is…/Cobra Starship/Tyga at the Joint). I said I could work the early shift (since doors don’t open until 6), but then they said I could have Friday/Saturday off instead. It’s mostly because one of our agents quit this week, so we’re short-handed. They had to flip the schedule around. I’m working Sunday instead. Yay! 40 hours! Whoo!

Anyways, I saw this meme on my Flist on LJ and thought I’d give it a go.

“The Big Read reckons that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they’ve printed.”

1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE.
4) Strike out the books you have no intention of ever reading.
5. Bold and strike books you read but hated.
6) Reprint this list in your own LJ

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien (I’m sorry, I just can’t.)
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 The Harry Potter Series - JK Rowling (does not reading Deathly Hallows count? Hmm…)
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare (Sorta.)
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien (Funny I LOVED the Hobbit, but couldn’t get through Fellowship of the Ring.)
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (I prefer Angels & Demons, but whatever.)
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan (I love the implication that writers have the power to do pretty much anything to their characters.)
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery (I read it in French, does that count?)
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Looks like I’ve got a few to add to my collection, haha.

?: “What’s your favorite food? I’m hungry and need some inspiration, haha.”