20 December 2013

Rowling Brings Us More Harry Potter

Big news! J.K. Rowling is producing a play based around Harry Potter. Thus the Potter franchise carries on!

However, I'm skeptical. I'm a Potter fan. I grew up with Harry Potter. However, I'm not sure I want more Potter in the form of a play. Particularly with that play being one adding on to the story but not written by J.K. Rowling herself.

I'm a bookworm through and through. I don't like watching movies nearly as much as others in the States. Usually, my first question when a movie to be watched at a social function is "How long is it?" Because if it goes over 90 minutes, I need to do some serious thinking about engaging in this function. I might have to sit still for over an hour and a half. Shivers.Only a corpse would hold that still for that long.

A play is a nice idea, most plays have intermissions so that's a good start. However, I think books are what we need. Writing is such a beautiful art form, one in which Rowling does so with particular grace and intrigue in every word. I do wish we could read books and be excited about books being written rather than reading a book and thinking to ourselves "Can't wait to see this as a movie!"

As I am working on my novel, I wonder, what would I do if someone approached me and said they wanted this story made in to a movie. What would I do? It's a silly question and I know it, I'm a long way off from even finishing my first draft much less gaining the traction necessary to call L.A.'s attention.

I do love that movies have given me opportunities to discuss with my not-so-avid reader friends the stories I have loved. I can also appreciate that movies make these stories accessible to younger friends who are still developing their reading skills. But how much does a movie help give a story more reach or detract from the original work?


14 December 2013

Putting Together Your Minute Christmas

Maybe you're like me, Christmas is something you DO NOT start until December 1st. Usually, Christmas does not start until after finals are over with because I am not bothering with much else in life but classwork. Until December 19, I will almost exclusively grump about scraping ice off my car again and about being cold while later that day spend hours finishing up final projects and studying for finals. (If I'm lucky, I get a break to ski for a few hours so I can be less grumpy at the icky snow.)

Christmas is "experienced" in 7 days. For all the things people say you simply have to do for Christmas, 7 days isn't enough. So it's nice when things are condensed. So re-gifting or cheap, thrown together at the last minute gifts, and store-bought, extra processed goodies and easy to put up Christmas decor (like this) is much appreciated:

Easy Christmas Decor

Which is why I recommend the following song. It is excellent condensed Christmas. Get all your Christmas music listening in within 3 minutes and 31 seconds. For good measure, there's some Hanukkah in there. Enjoy!



07 December 2013

I Bought My MegaPak of Spider Squishers This Season! Did You?

Dear friends, I've been sick for the last four days. I was going to not post this week, but my *ahem* motivator (also known as, my husband or "sweetheart") is making me write anyway...so here you are.

No, I appreciate his support for my writing in my haphazardly written personal blog. My sweetheart is a total rock star. Being sick has almost been nice with flowers by my bed and having Taco Time brought to me. (Which after two days of soups...ZOMG Taco Time is SO GOOD! Either get a spouse to get you a Casita Burrito or go get it yourself right now. Seriously. They're delicious.) However, I am definitely ready to be well again. I think feeling completely useless is the worst part of being sick.

There are few things worse than the torture of being an ill college student when near finals, especially for this poor senior who would like to graduate. (11 more days folks!) College doesn't give you a day off. Things are due when they're due and that's when they're due. I've had to scrape ice off my car and brave a blizzard to turn in a final project and two assignments. Not helpful when your eyes are swollen, throat is burning and you're exceptionally grateful you had the foresight to buy the MegaPak of tissues that should have lasted at least half the year, depending on how many spiders turn up come Spring. Hmmm, they should print this on tissue boxes: Use in case of spider infestation. Unique marketing angle, don't you think?

I'm very hopeful that in the real world (away from academia) people don't want me to make them ill or turn in poorly done projects and will allow a couple days off to recoup. Everyone says it only gets worse from here, but I think I'll ignore them for now and will permit myself to procrastinate one paper and not vacuum my apartment or wash dishes until the energy to do so returns.

Also, any and all spelling or grammatical errors, excessive usage of ellipses and parts that I thought were humorous but actually weren't are hereby excused by myself on account of my being ill. Thank you.