I recently walked into Anthropologie last week and instead of falling in love with a sweater or a dress – my eyes caught on the ornaments of a nearby coffee table: books. These weren’t just any type of books – they were hardcover, cloth-bound, reprinted Penguin Classics adorned with elegant designs stretching from top -to-bottom.

The set of hardcovers include Great Expectations, Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Sense and Sensibility, The Picture of Dorian Gray and Cranford.

For every lit lover -  these books would be the perfect addition to your bookshelf and collection of literary classics.  Also, THE CUT featured a post regarding these books – and mentioned that they are also available at amazon.com! Perfect timing for the holidays . . . just an idea . . . hint.hint.hint.

You know when you’re a LIT Lover when you go into Anthropologie and want nothing but . . . books.

-jo

These were some questions we pondered on Monday 23rd November.

1. Five adjectives which describe the character of Pip?

2. Describe the relationships within Pip’s family.

3. A paragraph please on how the events so far have provoked feelings of guilt within Pip.

4. A paragraph on how, at the beginning of Chapter 3, Dickens uses a description of a physical environment to describe Pip’s emotional landscape?

5. Pip’s relationship with the convict is more than simply one of fear and obligation. Explain the bond.

6. Explain the ways in which the novel, in its early stages, suggests a search for belonging (The syllabus rubric may come in handy here)

Enjoy!

“Great Expectations”

November 18th, 2009

In terms of the great comedy battle of 2009, which continues to rage amongst shows both new and old, Modern Family is at a distinct disadvantage: with Parks and Recreation delivering some legitimately great comedy and Community doing a really compelling and confident meta-storyline, the simplicity of this show is a disadvantage in terms of being flashy. There comes a point where the hype surrounding the show creates greater expectations than the storylines themselves can live up to in terms of their premise, requiring viewers to appreciate the strong execution where originality isn’t overtly present.

“Great Expectations” is a solid episode of the show, featuring a number of fun loving gags and a couple of big guest stars, but nothing stands out as particularly stunning as compared to some of the other comedies. In this instance, I think there was enough nuance to each individual story to continue to prove how strong the writers understand these characters, but it nonetheless follows similar patterns to what we’ve seen in the past. I think it’s one of their stronger episodes due to a nice role reversal, but it’s not reaching as high as some of the other comedies are right now.

For me, this episode is about the little things more than it is about the guest stars. While Elizabeth Banks (playing Cameron and Mitchell’s barhopping friend Sal) and Edward Norton (playing the bass player/backup vocalist from Spandau Ballet) are both very funny and integrated well into the episode, the storylines they’re involved in really have very little to do with them. I thought the Cameron/Mitchell story was perhaps the episode’s least interesting, if only because it was so predictable: we’re shown that they’re having trouble getting out with Lily around, they make a night out of it with a friend, and discover that their friend is jealous of Lily and devolves into a petulant child. There’s nothing wrong with the storyline, and Banks sells the child-like reaction perfectly, but the storyline had absolutely no twists or turns or nuances to it – just a couple of fun moments (Mitchell refusing to allow her to hold her, Mitchell’s “I’m going in!” Re: new boobs), and strong performances all around.

I thought the other two storylines were simply more interesting conceptually. Jay’s Night, featuring Sloppy Jays and western movies, was the sort of storyline that was charming because of how great Ed O’Neill is and more importantly how you get small little running gags like Gloria’s tone deaf singing or Luke taking everything that Jay says as a sign that he’s going to die soon. Combine with the running battle between Jay and Haley, which nicely ties into what we know of Claire’s own childhood, and the conclusion with Dylan wanting to stick around for Jay’s Night, and the storyline just had a nice flow to it. It was never overly dramatic or overly broad (Jay squirting Manny like a dog was perhaps a BIT broad), staying within a simple comic mode and delivering on its promise.

And I thought the Claire/Phil storyline was the episode’s strongest, if not comically, then certainly in terms of the characters. Phil is still a bit too much like Michael Scott (the scene listing off the things he wants could have very easily been put into Steve Carell’s mouth without much in terms of change), but as with Michael it’s always good when he gets to be the smart one. He, unlike his wife, is capable of being romantic, so the anniversary becomes about Claire’s struggles rather than Phil’s. It’s a nice change of pace, as Julie Bowen is likeable even when she’s incapable of being romantic and Ty Burrell was great in interacting with (his good friend) Edward Norton as they struggle over whether the charade (which was a pretty ingenious comic device) could be continued. Like I say, the big laughs weren’t there, but the emotional payoff was solid and it kept Phil out of his usual tomfoolery role.

Nothing complex, but a funny and enjoyable episode – no need to place it relative to anything else to enjoy that.

Cultural Observations

• Alex gets all of the best one-liners amongst the grandchildren, and here she both played into Haley’s vanity and created Luke’s trauma over her grandfather’s death. Hoping for another episode for her soon.
• I was thinking of how Edward Norton was going to do “funny” in this show’s style, and it’s clear now that I should have thought of “accent” right away. Always funny!
• Spandau Ballet, of course, is an actual band, although I didn’t entirely realize this until I heard him humming the melody of “True” and I realized I recognized it (but would never have known the band name). I did enjoy the joke the show got out of this, as the reason Izzy Lafontaine refused to continue the performance was that the song was called “True” and the story was false.
• Wait, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark was also a real band? Oh, The 80s.

Oakhill Publishing,Naxos Audio Books, The complete Classics Unabridged.

15 Cds, approx running time 15hrs & 9 minutes.

Read by Anton Lesser.

What it says On the Back:

When young Philip Pirrip - Pip, meets the terrifying convict, Magwitch on the eerie Kent marshes in what must surely be one of literature’s most memorable scenes, the stage is set for a story of suspense, deception, comedy and devotion. Through a panoply of unforgettable characters, from eccentric Miss Havisham and steadfast Joe Gargery, to beautiful, cold Estella and villainous Compeyson, Dickens brings to life a story of high hopes and huge disappointments.

What I thought:

When I first started to listen to this, I wasn’t sure whether I would stick to it, but after the first couple of cd’s , I was hooked. I went through various stages of  feeling sorry for Pip , then disliking him,  then liking him again. I have to admire Charles Dickens for his wonderful writing skills that make you go through all these emotions and judgements of a character such as Pip. Another character that I just couldn’t help but be fascinated by was the character of Miss Havisham, I pitied her and disliked her at the same time, then I warmed to her towards the end of the story.

Despite the shaky start I ended up really enjoying this novel.

Iwould definitly give this ****

It is not easy juggling the numerous commitments and obligations that fill my calendar.  There are weeks when I barely have time to clean my apartment!  Even when I do find time, I am often so exhausted all I can do is stare at a wall with a glass of wine in my hand.

I admit I have a hard time saying no.  It is a natural desire for me as a woman to give myself to someone or something.  As a single woman, I am grateful for the opportunities that allow that desire to be fulfilled, even if it is only temporary.  The problem is trying to divide myself between six or seven projects and relationships.  Each project and relationship has a different set of demands and expectations.  There are time commitments, duties, responsibilities, thought, effort, care and concern.  Trying to keep everyone happy is exhausting and can leave me feeling guilty when it’s not accomplished.

Many times I feel more is demanded of me because of the fact that I am single.  “Oh, Cecilia can do this.  She’s single; she has time.”  “Cecilia doesn’t have a family to take care of so she will be able to handle this.”  “Cecilia doesn’t have anything better do to with her time; she will be perfect for this project.”  Whether the project is large or small, it gets dumped on my lap.

I honestly don’t mind giving myself and my time to any of these little tasks, but I wish the expectations weren’t so high.  I am often made to feel guilty if I say no, as though my time as a single woman is not as valuable.  Of course, I realize this not always the intent or reasoning for those on the other end, but it can come across that way.

Some days it is very difficult to live up to the various obligations I have toward my family, friends and projects, all while working full-time.  I would much rather give myself to one major relationship rather than be divided among the many.  After all, that is how I, as a woman, was designed: to give myself to one significant relationship (my husband), and through that relationship give myself to any other commitments.

I know marriage will come in time, and I also know that being married will not eliminate my over-abundance of responsibilities.  Many of my married friends struggle with the same frustrations, plus they have the added expectations of their husbands and in-laws.  I’ve just noticed an influx of duties as of late.  I’m not saying all of them have been ‘dumped’ me in a she’s-single-she-has-time kind of way, but a few of them have seemed like it. 

Overall, I see this is a great time for me to hone my juggling skills, which is invaluable for any state in life.  I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to give myself to my family, friends and pet projects and for the lessons in time management.  I know I still have to learn when graciously accept or decline new responsibilities.  I just hope that is a lesson I learn before my calendar explodes.

photo c/o My Corner View

Sabtu kemaren periksa dokter, Alhamdulillah si kecil sehat. dah keliatan jelas semua organ tubuhnya. pas keliatan hidungnya, si dokter bilang..waahh, hidungnya gede banget. kayak jambu air loh. Glek! gak sungkan! secara ini hidungku imuut bangetttt..oh no..no..noo..

Tapi susahnya mo di foto USG, tangannya ngusep-ngusep muka terus..cepet banget lagi gerakannya. dokternya sampe bingung ini yang mo difoto yang sebelah mana  *kenapa ngga se narsis ibu sih deee.. akhirnya gak jadi deh foto USG kali ini…

The world's number one form of contraception...

I hate kids. Babies especially; alimentary canals with no satisfaction at one end and no responsibility at the other. So, you can imagine my joy at the discovery of “GREAT EXPECTATIONS” – a show about babies, kids…

Personally, I think it’s all quite vulgar.

So what am I moaning about? Why don’t I change the channel? I do. In fact, one look at Sam Cowen’s smug meant-for-radio-face and I find myself feeling physically ill. Not to mention the references to expressing breast milk and nappies and the like…

Excuse me. I think I threw up in my mouth a little.

What gets me is that there’s a market for this condescending content. Women will happily sit there and let some complete stranger tell them what’s best for their kids, a one-size-fits-all situation. Don’t you have any real friends? Parents? A mother? C’mon! What makes you think any of the daft bints on the screen know any better than you? Are we that insecure that the TV has become the expert on raising your children?

Is it any wonder then, that after being indoctrinated into parental instruction by the box, you then use it to babysit those very same little rugrats? And then you freak out when your spawn learn all the “wrong” things. You want to have kids? Then be a damned parent. And no, you silly mutt, you can’t let the TV do it for you…

Anyway, the (forgettable) sponsor probably gets their mileage, though dear god, it’s a long, dull road…for me anyway…

It’s not all bad though. The one episode I did manage to sit through gave me enough reason to never have any of the mind-debilitating, soul-destroying little bastards. So that’s nice…

I think I had a nightmare last night.  Not a very bad one, certainly not a wake-up-screaming one; just one that wakes you suddenly with the after-burn of indecipherable images everywhere you look, and the nagging feeling that something was wrong.

Which brings to me to remember some of the most memorable nightmares I’ve had that have woken me up, either screaming or paralysed in fear…

1.  Very young, living in a bungalow (that’s a true bit, not the nightmare).  I’m in the dining room, it’s dark, the curtains are all closed.  From outside I hear a gunshot.  I run to the dining room window – which overlooks the back garden – and open the curtains.  Lined up in regimented rows on the back lawn are countless rabbits.  All headless.  I wake up.

2.  I’m on a roller coaster.  We’re going fast.  Suddenly I see a thick, black cable – it’s too low, it’s going to hit my head.  I can’t duck out of the way, and I can’t get out the seat because of the safety bars.  The cable hits, there’s a deafening electrical buzz.  I wake up.

3.  I’m walking home, it’s dark and foggy.  I’m scared to look up, fixing my eyes on the ground.  I pluck up the courage to look up, and there’s a dead body hanging from every lampost. I wake up.  (I think this one was triggered by a scene in an early BBC TV adaptation of ‘Great Expectations’!)

4.  I’m older now, living alone in a bedsit (again, that’s true, not part of the dream).  I wake up suddenly and look down at the foot of my bed.  My sister’s face is grimacing at me from above the footboard.  I wake up.  Not quite sure why that should have been so terrifying, but it was!

5.  Older still.  My partner and I are living in some kind of sci-fi dome, and are in bed.  The bed is at floor level – it’s more like a sleeping room, wall-to-wall cushions.  I hear a noise, and look up, over my partner who’s lying next to me.  Suddenly a man appears, dressed all in black, with a black motorcyle helmet on, visor closed.  I’m too shocked to cry out or move.  The stranger raises a gun and shoots me.  I wake up in my own flat.  My partner is asleep next to me, and I’m so scared I feel paralysed, but relieved it was just a nightmare.  The bedroom door is open, and suddenly the stranger walks in and shoots me.  I wake up.

Urgh. Shudder!  Have a nice day!

Have You Seen Grey’s Anatomy: Season 3 Episode 13 – Great Expectations?

Episode Synopsis:

George deals with his grief, Cristina and Burke’s not talking makes for an interesting dinner party, and the Chief has made an decision that sends all the attending doctors scrambling.

So what do you think of this episode?

If you missed it, you can watch it here.

Heeeey

Something I’ve never understood is the idea that a children’s cartoon character must fit snuggly inter the borders of “smart” and “stupid”". Indeed, I despise the idea(it’s a wonder so many people claim not to be soupcans, with a start like that). And more than once have I seen a character out-of-the blue gain some sort of “genius” level knowledge. Guess what kiddies, it’s easy stuff! In fact, I seem to be lately touching on the topics in hand. Isn’t that awesome? And I do mean hypotenuses and molecules and that fun stuff. The fact that “smart stuff” is now stolen from 8th grade textbooks to entertain children does somewhat disturb me.

But, this does of course mean so much joy on my part. I love school right now. Math is fun lately. He may still publically humiliate me for some reason, but I like being the ”if she says it’s right, then it has to be right” person at my table. I haven’t had that for a few years since everyone caught up. Science is, however, simply amazing. At first all this atom stuff made no sense to me, much to the disappointment of my mom as she wearily explained the simplest ideas, seeing as this is the basics of what is sort of the family career and everything. And not trying to conform to my family’s beliefs or whatever, but it’s so interesting. Of course, nothing can ever beat Cells And Heredity in 6th grade but it’ll do for now. Or where the two cross over would be great, like DNA and things. Nice geeky fun, right here.

In comparison, other things have been a drag. Like English. I’ve spent my evening studying for a test tomorrow. Well, not solely that, I did eat and watch Kaiser Chiefs on TV and white-out over “John smells like poo” in my Spanish book(Ah, public school textbooks. How I adore your character). But I’m going to do horrible…Gosh, am I sick of THEMES. All it is is THEMES THEMES THEMES lately. No longer do I want to skim a 150-page novel looking for mentions of “love” and the forever-over-used “be yourself”. On the test I could just write “bullshit” over and over, since that is what I think of these so called themes. I don’t think, however, that would retain my good appearance with my English teacher.

Speaking of stuff I fail at, you could also add un clase de espanol to that list. Yes, don’t pick me up on however many errors I put into that simple phrase! It seems funny considering I love this language so and yet it takes me twice as long as everyone else to learn the simplest things. Like last night I’d forgotten “They are”, pretty much the simplest you can go after “Hola!”, and I did actually lose a bit of sleep over my obvious stupidity. For the record; Ustedes son. And while I’m here Yo soy muy terrible a clase de espanol. How do you add “I’m so fucking stupid” to that?

Oh yes, my Brandon Flowers costume is nearly done…Just need to find the boots–oh the meddlesome boots!. I got the jacket yesterday. I don’t know why but I feel a bit like a magician in it. And we’ deemed the vest makes me look fat and all in it so now I’m just going without. such a shame, I s’pose.

Great Expectation is driving me up the wall. What exactly is the point? I’ve yet to work it out. It seems to be turning more and more into your typical boy-and-girl type story that repulses me in general. But speaking of that, NaNoWriMo starts sunday! Yay, I’m (not) excited! I’m actually afraid of all the work required…And the fact my story line is awful. I’m pretty much copying The Giver with slight, barely recognizable twists. I wasn’t even trying to do that. But my friend Adele has vowed to do it with me(If I go to some stupid writing thing this next Friday…featuring my 7th grade English story. It’s complicated) and writing is fun so I can only hope it won’t be too bad.

I miss talking about music every post like I used to so I just had to now. Even though there’s not much to inform. I’m randomly obsessed with Arctic Monkeys lately who I am listening to as we speak(“What came first; the chicken or the dickhead?”. I love your lyrics, Alex Turner, even though your hair is starting to look a bit like the guy in we The Kings’s. ). Paramore are still nice, and The Beatles, and Lady Gaga. I keep forgetting to look into new stuff, like that’s something that can be forgotten. Oh but I just found out Weezer are playing here December 7th at the same place as my first Killers concert was so that’ll be great. Hoping I’ll get better seats than last time, though. If it weren’t my first concert, 2nd-to-last row seats would have disgusted me. But it’s a nice arena and Weezer are a nice band. December’s going to be a great, great month.

Oh, and my mom has signed me up, at last, for guitar lessons! My first one’s Saturday morning. I actually got my guitar for Christmas last year but my mom never got round to getting my lessons or forcing me to play…The laziness appears to be hereditary. But I’m so excited because it’s something  I really want to learn and he said I could bring him my iPod so I can play something I’ll love. I just need to clear some older stuff off, then.

- Naomi

just saw the film.

well i can’t really say that i really like it..

the story’s clever in a lot of ways, the characters are delightful, and the outfits are pretty pretty retro-chic!

particularly luv the vintage take on Zooey Deschanel’s wardrobe. The palette plays mostly on neutral fades, and anything with blue on it. Also  Joesph Gordon-Levitt’s ties and some of his shirts complement Summer’s stlye.

According to 500 Days stylist, Hope Hanafin, the styling for Zooey’s character is kindov an anti-Sex and the City, where  secretaries are dressed in Prada.   “Zooey’s wearing clothes that her character really could afford, things are also repeated. Her clothes are a mix of things from [places like] Old Navy, GAP, BCBG and then there’s a lot of vintage. But not all of it was glamorous vintage. She has a Built By Wendy denim skirt and a couple other great things.”

and if you’ve noticed, Zooey’s wardrobe is always in blue of every kind. This is because the director, Marc Webb wanted to reflect Zooeys mesmerizing blue eyes, at the same time, highlighting the idea that it was a romance from a male point of view. This kindov reminded me of the film, Great Expectations where every scene has anything green.

btw, i don’t want to spoil anything about ze movie, but i’d have to agree to their tagline,  “This is not a love story. It is a story about love”.  The film questions idealistic perceptions about love. Quite awakening actually and very very realistic. So i suggest do not bring a date to this movie.  ^__^

//

Hellloooooooooooo,

I’d just like to point out that as I speak I am clad in racoon-like eyeliner and a straw hat, while my mom blasts House Of Fun by Madness downstairs. We were dancing a minute ago, too, and I tried to poorly imitate the dance moves of the guy who stood in front of me when I saw The Specials at a festival this summer(You basically lean your body towards the ground, and swing your arms in legs in a circular motion, while unknowingly using your limbs to inflict pain to anyone in a two-meter radius). I believe this is one of those crazy times I’m supposed to recall with great fondness. My family is weird as hell.

While the hat is irrelevant to all meaningful purposes, this eyeliner–or, as it is supposed to be, “guyliner”, but I don’t think I can make that happen right now–is for my Brandon Flowers Halloween costume. My mom was practicing, since I have very little experience when it comes to makeup, and made a mess of it. I scared myself when I walked past the mirror in the bathroom earlier. Plus, I felt I might have well have straightened my hair and taken a MySpace picture. Oh, but actually, my costume is coming along well enough. I got a black shirt today. The sleeves were pre-rolled up to the exactly right point(Not that it would be particularly difficult to do it myself with any other shirt, you know), and although the buttons should be black but aren’t it isn’t that noticeable. The boots have so far proved to be a problem.

Also I went into Borders today since, sadly, I wanted my own copy of The Giver, and they didn’t have it! Such a shame. I’m sure they’d have time to get such a popular book(and they could, I don’t know, alphabetize their CDs while they’re at it).

 Yesterday I got my Progress Report at school–may I add, I got it calmly. Despite my teachers telling all of us the ridiculousness in freaking out over it, loads of people still become a nervous, shaking wreck when they’re given that one little piece of paper in question. It’s funny, really, since it’s not like it matters, you know?

I got an A in English, an A- in Social Studies, an A in Spanish, an A+ in Math, and an A+ in Science. Oh gosh, what has happened here, eh? Those are pretty much the best results I’ve got ever, but it’s different from what I’d expected. Readers will know how much I whine about my Math/Science teacher, and how he hates me, but he actually wrote that I “have an extremely unique talent”. That’s a rare thing. From just three or four sentences he seems to understand me more than most teachers I’ve had in my time. Not that that’s related to being especially talented or whatever! He’s actually pretty cool if you like 1 1/2 hour-long lectures and things. And my LA/Social Studies teacher–who totally loooooooves me, haha–said I “understand the deeper ideas in LA and Social Studies” and that she’s enjoying getting to know me. I’m happy, although it annoys me that she has regarded me(my writing in particular) at such high standard, since I just finished writing an awful homework assignment. I just wanna get my hands on it and edit edit edit until it’s unnoticeable to what it is now. Ugh, I can be a terrible writer when I want to be.

Usual shiz has been happening of my life recently. Music…hmm, what have I been listening to? Right now it is I Feel You by Depeche Mode(The sexiest song ever written, in case you didn’t know). More broadly speaking I’ve been listening to a lot of Lady GaGa–I keep switching back to Lovegame and Boys Boys Boys in particular. Also some Snow Patrol, Athlete, and Muse. And loads of Arctic Monkeys and Paramore. And last night I bought Jasey Rae by All Time Low and I Think I’m Paranoid by Garbage, which are both crazy awesome songs. Especially I Think I’m Paranoid. The little Garbage I’ve come across sounds really cool.

Great Expectations is proving to be, hm, adequate. The word of mouth summaries I’ve heard before are very concise, which leads me to wonder why there’s another 300 pages irrelevant to the so-called “main idea”. Oh, but not just 300–this is a special edition of the book, and has a full 400 pages of afterword. Seriously, what the hell?

I’ve got the coolest homework assignment ever this weekend. This 11-year old, Christoper Sieder or something, was one of those killed in The Boston Massacre and Sam adams organised a huge funeral for him. And we get to write about someone going to the funeral. It’s the first creative writing piece we’ve been given so far this year. It’ll give me a nice chance to go completely overboard with it but I also think I might try to, I don’t know, write it in that old-fashioned style. From my experience it just requires endless use of unnecessary wording, exclamation rules contradictory to those we use today, and the ability to break into semi-colons at any point. Sounds fuuun.

Whoa. Over 800 words. I’m done.

- Naomi

il titolo di questo post mi ricorda varie cose. un libro che amo, un film che ho visto anni fa e che mi era piaciuto molto e oggi un episodio di grey’s anatomy molto carino. mi ricorda ancora tutte quelle grandi speranze che si coltivano da bambino: mi sposerò, avrò dei bambini, avrò una bella cosa, farò tanti viaggi eccetera. e anche le grandi speranze della fille de poche come per esempio quel fatidico esame che l’ha turbata….e che udite udite è stato passato. la fille de poche ha risposto (quasi) alle sue aspettative e adesso si prepara all’orale. fra il caldo afoso di roma – la grande speranza di avere prima o poi un condizionatore – e una nuova esperienza in cui as usual la fille de poche ha rivolto le sue grandi speranze. perché come ricorda sin da bambina, la speranza è l’ultima a morire. perché se c’è una cosa che caratterizza la fille è che non perde mai la speranza, ce ne vuole per demoralizzarla. un po’ come pip, il protagonista del libro di dickens, che lascia le sue certezze, la famiglia che lo ha allevato per avventurarsi a londra sostenuto da un misterioso benefattore, con l’obiettivo di fare breccia nel cuore della streghetta estella. anche se nel caso del libro di dickens, come nel caso della parola expectations, si più giusto parlare di aspettativa, che poi non è molto diverso dalla speranza. la speranza di passare quest’esame, la speranza di trovare un lavoro, la speranza di avere un motivo per cui svegliarsi la mattina, la speranza di reincontrare quel ragazzo bellissimo che hai visto in metro, o di fare un viaggio che sogni di fare. la speranza che almeno per un breve di lasso di tempo, tutte le ciambelle ti siano venute col buco. la speranza di avere sempre una spalla su cui piangere, la speranza che la tua band preferita faccia un concerto in città, la speranza che alla tele diano il tuo film preferito, la speranza che due personaggi di una serie si mettano insieme, la speranza che tutto vada per il verso giusto, la speranza che almeno qualche storia finisca con l’happy-ending, la speranza di avere un futuro migliore, la speranza che la metro arrivi in ritardo, la speranza che prima o poi le settimane siano fatte solo di domeniche….la speranza di fare un buon ritorno a casa, la speranza di vivere e di essere felici. anche perché diciamocelo, sperare non costa niente. citando i noir désir, à l’espoir que nous tiens...alla speranza che ci sorregge.

“That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But, it is the same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different its course would have been. Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day.

Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts.

Charles Dickens, “Great Expectations”

vi lascio un momento del film, è uno dei momenti chiave, ma decontestualizzato, non vi svelerà nulla, anche perché il film e il libro sono notevolmente differenti….l’ho scelto anche perché c’è la mitica anne “mrs. robinson” bancroft che tanto manca alla fille e qui intepreta la zia di estella (ahimé la fox l’ha tolto).

“Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape”.

bisoux,

la fille de poche

(originally posted on: 24/06/07 – modified on: 24/10/09)

“Let’s say there was a little girl, and from the time she could understand, she was taught to fear… let’s say she was taught to fear daylight. She was taught that it was her enemy, that it would hurt her. And then one sunny day, you ask her to go outside and play and she won’t. You can’t be angry at her can you?”

]]> http://tiemeinwords.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/yabm-yet-another-book-meme/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:43:11 +0000 Lisa http://tiemeinwords.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/yabm-yet-another-book-meme/

Stole this from a friend – I can never resist a good book meme!

What books are your comfort reading–the ones you slink back to in times of stress?
Books are a bit Turret’s like for me—if I read something kind of awful, my own life seems better by comparison, I guess?  So when I’m really stressed, I like to read books about hard times, like Joanne Greenberg’s I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, or The Joy Luck Club.  That said… I might always lean towards no-brain fun, too.

What was your favorite book as a child, and why?
Mmm… let’s see.  When I was very small it as Who’s a Pest? a book by Crosby Bonsall about a little boy who everyone insists is a pest—even though he says he’s not.  It’s a strange, funny little book, that involves everything from mean sisters to talking animals, and an all-consuming pit.  It’s hard to explain, you’d have to read it.  When I was a little older, though, I was a big fan of Mercer Mayer books, and the Alexander books by Judith Viorst (especially Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday).

What was your favorite book as an adolescent, and why?
Undoubtedly Just as Long as We’re Together by Judy Blume.   That book almost single-handedly got me through the break-up with my first (and second, really) best friend.  Stephanie Hirsch was the first fictional character who I really saw as a reflection of my life—or what my life could be.  She was what Rory Gilmore would be in a few years down the line.  This is also the book that got me serious—at age eleven—about writing young adult books.

What is the most unread category of books gathering dust on your bookshelf–the books you’ve bought but just never get around to reading?
The ones I buy but haven’t read?  Are probably mainly in the non-fiction genre.  There are certain periods of history that I love—love, love, love, like the American Revolution and the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions, and so I have a few books that I own that cover those periods, but I haven’t read any of them.  Also under that list would be anthologies.  I have a few either from classes (writing on music, etc) and gifts from friends, but I just don’t jump into them very often.

What kind of books would you like to say you read, but never do?
There are a few of them.  I tend to get very comfortable either in classics or in young adult or children’s fantasy… so almost anything outside of that is (embarrassingly) kind of a gray area for me.  The ones that I’d really love to say I read are mystery novels—I feel like I’m missing out on a great genre, and the ones I’ve read I’ve enjoyed, but I just don’t go looking for them.  I’d also like to say that I appreciated a good Grisham—because really, everybody is supposed to like Grisham, but all I’ve read was The Pelican Brief, and that was enforced (high school book report).  I’d like to say I’d read Michener, too.  My mother loves his novels, and I love the look and the idea of them… but I’ve never so much as opened one.

What’s the oddest book you’ve ever read?
Does The Host count?  Because I have likened parts of that novel to a Miyazaki film on crack.  Outside of the illustrious Miss Meyer, however… I would have to say… actually, no.  I really think The Host might be the oddest book I’ve read.

What book were you never able to get through,despite the recommendations of people you respect?
I can’t think of one off the top of my head.  Possibly Wicked?  Maybe Eragon as well.

What’s the book it took you a couple of tries to get into, but was as good as promised once you finally made it?
I don’t do this very often.  The only one I can even remember is Jane Eyre.  Which I started for the first time when I was twelve—I hated the childhood section of that book, and so I kept putting it down.  It remains to this day the only book I’ve ever literally thrown across the room (more than once, I believe) in frustration—and my ugly little orange paperback bears the marks as proof.  It took me months to get through Lowood.  Once I got to Thornfield, though, I was hooked, hooked, hooked, and it is almost definitely my favorite book of all time.

What’s your favorite short story–or do you even have one?
I’m not very good at reading short stories, I’ll admit.  There was one in a literature book of mine in high school, though, called “Chasing Summer,” that I really loved, all about a couple who, after a thermo-nuclear war, chase the patches of light that make their way through the nuclear winter sky.  I also really love “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury… actually, I love his “A Sound of Thunder,” also.  Reason why I’ve always wanted to read more Bradbury (that should go with Grisham and Michener, above).

The desert island. Three books (and collected works don’t count. If you want the Lord of the Rings it’ll cost you all three slots). Go:
1. Jane Eyre… it’s a debate between this and Persuasion, but as yet Jane Eyre continues to have the smallest of edges.
2. Great Expectations—maybe.  Not because it’s one of my favorites (it’s kind of not) but just because I think analyzing it would last me years. 
3. Fingerprints: Payback by Melinda Metz.  At least I think I’d pick this one.  One of the last three, at least.  It’d kill me not to have the full series, though.  Mindless fun—well, mostly mindless.  And one of my biggest fiction OTPs.  Yes, I know you’ve never heard of it.

It’s 2:30 am and she’s shrieking and running circles in her room. I sit up in bed, realizing that she’s been doing it for at least a half hour. Got to get there, I think as I groggily rush down the cold hallway, before she goes to the bathroom on the floor.

As I open the door, my eyes take a moment to adjust. But I already know the scene. The light is on. She has ripped all the blankets and sheets off her bed. A page from a coloring book, is torn into tiny pieces like confetti on the floor. She is unclothed, running wildly around the bed, lost, completely lost. And I’m too late. The floor is her toilet bowl.

This is the version of autism that grieves me. The version that still devastates me.

Will it always be like this?

In my disheartened, half-awake state, I clean her and the mess. Put her pajamas back on. Put the sheets back on. Put her back in bed. Turn out the light. I go through the motions, knowing that moments later, she will undo it all. There will be no sleep tonight.

*
It’s 10 am and I’m rushing to her school for an emergency meeting. God, give me the words. Let this be the right decision. I will tell them why we think it’s best for her to be transferred to another school. Such a hard decision. She’s attended this wonderful school for children with autism ever since she was three years old. We are indebted for life.

But it’s time for her to be in a place of great expectations.

I practice what I will say. “We underestimate her so often…”

My mind drifts back to just hours before when I looked upon her and saw nothing but a helplessly, hopelessly brain-injured child, hyper and isolated.

I falter.

And then feel the hand of God steady me. Catch my tear.

“I just know there is so much more. There’s more in there, in her. No, even more than we think! I just know it. We’ve only scratched the surface. She’s shown me there’s more.”

Please dear God, help us find the way to unlock what’s inside.

*
After the meeting I stop in her classroom. I see her before she sees me, and I love her all over again. And then, she tentatively gets up and comes over, laughing all the way. I stoop, and she, the giggling girl, tries to climb me. “Hi,” I say. “Hiiii,” she mimics in a high-pitched voice. It’s the first real greeting in a really long time, and I treasure it.

I doubted you for a moment, my girl. But I’ll never stop believing there’s more extraordinary for you.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Eph. 3:20

Good for a book adap.

Too unprofessional? Pincers spazzed out and lost his mind on Sunday against the Patriots. He lost it when Vonnie Holliday slapped the ball from Tom Brady’s hands then Elvis Dumervil recovered it. He lost it again when the final gun sounded. He shook some hands, gave some hugs, then charged the northeast corner of Invesco with fist pumps for heroes. He gave one, liked the feeling, gave three more as the crowd washed over him. The crescendo was what CBS cameras caught in slow motion: elbows and fists out front, screaming THAT’S RIIIIIGHT! before jumping into Kenny Peterson’s arms.

That’s right, world. You dummies. How could you doubt Pincers, the boy genius, a man who slept with a football as a child and went to two-a-days instead of birthday parties? Son of greatness and pupil of legends, product of football.

That’s right I traded Jay Cutler when he was priced highest, that’s right I got the Mike Nolan as my DC, that’s right I signed the freak of nature punishment machine called Brian Dawkins, that’s right my draft confounded your basic minds, that’s right the X-Factor (Brian Xanders) can hang with my multi-dimensional intellect, that’s right I just beat my mentor, that’s right my team is currently loaded with depth, want to, intensity, health, and enough stoke we could burst into song at any moment. And that’s right, I am going to dance around in the corner of the field, command your roar, make my wife burst into tears of joy, and remind you that like bleating sheep in a wind storm you skewered me for eight full months only to be silenced by five freaking consecutive wins to open 09. For I am Pincers and I own you!

"We're 5-0! We're 5-0! We're 5-0!"

Could you script a more egotistical moment? Pincers without question commands a healthy one, but now the thing is off its leash and romping through the neighborhood. Oh he better be the grounded type. Hubris is the voice of Peter O’Toole and the image of a Charles Dickens unknown benefactor sitting in a overstuffed chair with his boney fingertips pressed together; there he sits by lantern light in Pincers mind-eye, issuing temptation: you are smarter than all of them, Josh; the defense is entirely your doing, Josh; you are brilliant and untouchable and bound for glory.

We are all human.

"You're the best, AROUND! Nuthins ever gonna keep ya down!" ... Great Expectations, indeed

Despite the win, wow, did the Broncos unleash some mental errors. Following the script from the first four games, if the offense could just get out of its own way it could have first halves like it has second halves. Watching the Patriots race to 10-0 start along with the following Denver offensive blunders was like watching Michael Richards in a sit-com:

The opening “wild horse” drive stalls after a Bill Belichick time out and Matt “Dreamcatcher” Prater shanks a 48-yard field goal: fail. The following drive, after moving the ball 16 yards, Knowshon Moreno fumbles. Pincers decides to challenge the very obvious fumble and loses. Next possession, on second and 2, Kyle Orton is forced to call a time out at the line of scrimmage based on some formation or play call error. Same possession, on third and 2, Brandon Marshal can’t get the first down when he catches the 1.75-yard pass about a foot away from the marker. Next possession, on third and 6, Tony Sheffler lets a 4-yard pass bounce off his hands when he’s in space. Next possession was a 90-yard touchdown drive, it’s 10-7, but New England scores on their next drive and its 17-7 at half.

Denver’s first drive of the second half, they move the ball 19 yards then get called for holding on a second and 5 they had just converted. They convert again, another holding call by Daniel Graham on second and 5. They convert once more, Sheffler is called for holding on second and 5. Next play, Ben Hamilton is called for holding. They then move the ball from New England’s 47 to the 6 (lucky deflection in there) and on third and inches Pincers again goes to Moreno for no gain. Prater chips in a 24-yarder, it’s 17-10.

To this point, with 7:25 left in the third, New England has gone touchdown, field goal, punt, punt, touchdown, punt. From that point forward they would go field goal miss, punt (mammoth possession thanks to Denver penalties), punt, fumble, no overtime possession. Also from that point forward, Denver would go punt, touchdown, punt, punt, overtime field goal. Now, considering the preceding litany, what jumps out at you the most?

Defense. How could any team beat Tom Brady with that many self-inflicted wounds? Defense. It’s unreal. The unit is pro, it’s bona fide, and if the evaluators continue to require a benchmark, Denver faces nearly every benchmark in the NFL. Almost every playoff team … not from last year, this year. Still hard to believe 8-8 got them this schedule as evidenced by the following speculation:

(Opponents in bold.) Who goes from the NFC? The Giants, Saints, Vikings, and some slappy from the NFC West. Probably the Eagles and Bears get in, maybe the Falcons find a way. The AFC? Any six of the following: Jets, Patriots, Dolphins, Bengals, Ravens, Steelers, Colts … and, well, the Broncos for godssakes. Throw in the Chargers then if you think that’s too homer. Based on the above, Denver plays two of the six NFC teams, and four of the other five AFC teams if two come out of the East; five of five if three come out of the North or if two come out of the West. So Denver will have faced between six or seven of the other 11 teams in the playoffs … before the playoffs. Oh, it’s on. Every week! This is going to be an incredible season.

Physical comedy is hilarious ... to a point

The next pitch en route to the summit is San Diego on Monday night. Not sure what we’re more psyched on, the football game or the fact that Coach Grudes will be analyzing it. He’s gonna freak when he gets a load of Kyle Orton owning Pincers’ scheme when he knows it should be Matt Cassel and he should still be coaching Tampa with Jay Cutler as his quarterback. Hard to envision Tampa would be winless at this point had that alternate reality taken shape.

Biggest obstacle as per usual with San Diego: that stupid deep crossing rout Phyllis Rivers throws to Antonio Gates whenever he’s in a bind. That’s actually understating the entire Phyllis threat, which is both formidable and pretty much all that’s left in San Diego these days.

The defense is ailing. San Diego’s corners are decent but any Denver fan will tell you that great corners does not a great defense make. That defense has an about-to-explode look, and as we’ve said before, it takes a trained eye to see it. Denver fans have that training. Jamal Williams and Igor Olshanksy are gone. Shawne Merriman is no longer the game changer he was when, starting his sophomore year in 2006, San Diego ripped off five wins in six chances versus Denver. He’s either still physically hampered or simply just despises general manager AJ Smith and wants out. Yeah, we’re saying that a kook like Merriman who hammers down steroids and looks like a fool whenever he displays his wares off the field is unprofessional enough to phone in a contract year just to get out.

This leaves Phyllis. He’s got a deteriorating offensive line, an ineffective Glass-Joe Ladanian Tomlinson, a micro man in Darren Sproles, a freak show talented tight end in Gates, and a cadre of big receiver targets. Last year before the Buffalo game we were at the Red Lion hotel next to Invesco having some pregame beers before entering the stadium. The bar is on the top floor and the building is west of the city so there is an amazing view of the downtown Denver skyline. The Buffalo game was the first of the last three in which Denver had to win only one to make the playoffs. The third would be against San Diego and, if they needed it, we all knew there was no way Denver could pull it off. After years of getting blown out by San Diego save for the Ed Hochuli game, Denverites are conditioned to Phyllis in triumph. After discussing this for a few moments one of us pointed out the window and said in effect: “I just feel like there is a giant Phyllis Rivers head hovering over the city laughing at us.” With the city before us and a beautiful empty winter sky above it, no one had trouble envisioning this. We all laughed pretty hard. The point is, we think San Diego stinks this year but one is wise to fear Phyllis. He’s just good, have to hand it to the (douche) guy.

No matter how good Phyllis becomes, San Diego’s window is closing if not shut. This is the window’s last year and once again they’re off to a splatter of a start. Pretty soon even more of those Bronco killers will join Williams and Olshanksy and you know Merriman isn’t coming back. Norv Turner will be fired. The team might not even be located in San Diego for the 2010 season. Thus, this is the season of the San Diego swan song. The dominance pendulum is swinging to another AFC West team. Perhaps that process is expedited this week when Denver walks out of San Diego with a win.

"I own this freaking town. And all of the people in it."

i want so badly read this book.

Pin from "The Miss Havisham Collection", Malachite, Lapis, Citrine and Sterling Silver)

Salvatore Conti
Broken is Beautiful — the Miss Havisham Collection

10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Blue Gallery
118 Southwest Boulevard
Kansas City, MO
816.527.0823

Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
Runs through: Oct. 31.

Gallery site: http://www.bluegalleryonline.com

Occasionally, this site will recommend reading material to accompany an artist’s work. That won’t be necessary today; Salvatore Conti has already made the recommendation.

And it is, parden the expression, a Dickens of a piece. Charles Dickens, that is: specifically, the novel Great Expectations. That’s where we find one Miss Havisham, who lives in a decaying mansion where it’s always twenty to nine on her wedding day.

She’s a tragic figure, still wearing the tattered gown she had on when she learned she was being stood up at the altar. But that’s in Dickens’ world, not Conti’s. Conti’s show of jewelry, Broken is Beautiful — The Miss  Havisham Collection, write’s an entirely different ending to the character’s part in the story.

I decided to liberate Miss Havisham from her tattered wedding dress and tattered life by re-writing her story, and create a series of jewelry making broken as beautiful, writes Conti, whose work will be on display at the Crossroads’ Blue Gallery through the end of October. I wanted to rectify Miss Havisham’s life with an epiphany, a revelation that we can prosper from being broken, we can resurrect our lives, in the same way a grain of sand irritates an oyster and creates a pearl.

In my version of the story, Miss Havisham sheds her broken world and realizes that she too has become a pearl. She too has blossomed, finally, from her grief and brokenness and has transformed into something new. She has inspired herself and has moved forward and has re-invented her world.

Many of the pieces in the collection incorporate pearls. Others, such as the malachite necklace pictured above, do not. In every case, though, Conti’s work exudes both elegant world-weariness and a good deal of quirky charm. (That’s a difficult balance, but he makes it work).

In other words, it’s okay to hold high expectations from Conti’s show. They’ll be met.

And aren’t happy endings great??

*I’ve noticed not a lot of people are finding the embedded links within my text.  If so, check them out.  You’re missing out on some cool pictures and videos that add to the blog.  Just double click on the words that look like this.*

Gerty made a movie.  That’s right.  Drew Barrymore complimented her early E.T. success with a drug/alcohol-fueled childhood to come out the other side as a very successful producer and now with this movie, a director.

Yes, Whip It is a chick flick.  If the chick in that flick was named Smashley Simpson or Jaba the Slut (LOVE the names), throws elbows, flips the bird, has tattoos and generally doesn’t give a crap if you like her or not.  Get your Barbie skates on and check this kickass movie out.

The Setup:
*Cue the movie trailer voice* In a land of small town bullies and big city dreams, where the only break in the monotony is a shift at the “Oink Joint” or participation in the local beauty pageant, Bliss Cavendar finds her calling in the brutal world of Texas Roller Derby.  *End movie trailer voice* cough cough.  Hard voice to keep up.

Ellen Page plays Bliss, a girl that doesn’t feel like she fits in (um, who doesn’t?) but finds it easier to go with mom’s (Marcia Gay Hayden) wants and “ideals” rather than hurting her feelings.  Well the path of least resistance hits a roller derby track and Bliss finds something she loves, much to the confusion of her parents and best friend.  From there on out, it’s about trying to grow up, embracing what you love (even if it’s briefly) while balancing a new family with old relationships.

Thoughts:
Coming of age story?  Check.  Sports movie?  Sure.  Chick flick? Already said it was.  Drew Barrymore has created a hybrid of styles that works.  A little big of column A mixed with column B equals a really great, emotional story about the lives we want and the lives we have.  The fishnets and flying elbows are awesome too.

Everyone is fantastic in this.  Marcia Gay Harden as the mom could have come off as the bad guy but you understand where she’s coming from.  Daniel Stern (where the hell has he been?) is just fine has the cool dad stuck between two very strong women.  Speaking of strong women, the perpetual losers, the “Hurl Scouts” – Zoe Bell, Eve, Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, really help you understand the appeal of this new life Bliss wants.   Throw in Juliette Lewis as the “villain” Iron Maven and Bliss’ best friend Pash (Maybe from Arrested Development) and there’s not a missed note here from the cast.  And yes, that is Owen and Luke Wilson’s brother Andrew as Razor.

I will say it’s all a little predictable but who cares.  Really, there aren’t many movies out there that aren’t.  However there are few movies that have the heart, fun and tattoos of this one.

Whip It Rating:

2 tickets – good movie, take a friend. Go for the story and the acting, stay for the fishnets and clotheslines.  Nicely done Ms. Barrymore.  Looking forward to your next one.

Rating system:
½ ticket – rip up your ticket.
1 ticket – go, but don’t tell anyone.
2 tickets – good movie, take a friend. 
3 tickets – tell everyone you know.

Coming Attractions:
Youth in Revolt – Ok, it’s not a stretch for Michael Cera to play a flustered virgin but dammit if I love watching him do it.  I can’t say this immediately jumped out at me as my first choice for a Coming Attraction but with the Arrested Development vibe of Maybe in Whip It, I had to support George Michael.  Plus, mustaches are comedy gold.

Randomly Recommended

Hard Candy – So Ellen Page is a star now.  Thanks Juno. WRONG!  This is the movie that put her on everyone’s radar.  It’s dark, it’s twisted, it’ll mess you up a little.  The story of an online pedophile…or is it?  If you haven’t, you should.  (see the movie, not be an online pedophile).

Right Back At You
This is a new segment where I quickly review a movie recommended to me

Great Expectations – Katie from work dropped this on my desk for a watch.  Kudos.  Good movie.  Loosely based on the Mark Twain book of the same name, it’s a movie of angst and blue balls.  (I really wanted a better term but come on, there isn’t).  The obsession/self-loathing is played by Ethan Hawke, an actor I never see movies because he’s in them but he’s always good.  The blue balls, well that’s Gwyneth Paltrow.  Gorgeous and haunting.  Robert De Niro is kind of necessary for the story but still feels forced in.  Definitely worth checking out, especially now as a renter.  2 tickets to you.