Originally this was going to be exclusively about Haiku poetry, and me trying (and probably failing) to write it when bored in recent times.
But I signed into this for the first time in about a month (oops...) and realised that I hadn't checked the email account tied to this blog in a long while. So I did. For some reason, my Youtube account is tied to this, so I had a million emails for Youtube. Most of which were comments arguing with a political statement I made when commenting on a Vlogbrothers video. While I was perfectly prepared to argue about this a month ago, when I was full of fire about it and fully conscious, the best time to become aware that you must defend your politics in a heated debate that no one will come away from satisfied is NOT early on a Sunday morning after a stupidly late night. It just isn't. I might just leave the debating until tomorrow, when I'm awake. But I've left the debate for a month, shouldn't I fight my point? Ugh.
Out of curiosity, any opinions on the death of Osama Bin Laden? (I really shouldn't keep starting arguments...)
On a random tangent, anyone liking Vlogbrothers? I'm a proud (yet relatively new) Nerdfighter. Because they're awesome, and allow me to be a my nerdy self.
Anyway, Haiku! If you didn't know, Haikus (plural? Who can say?) are a form of Japanese poetry, which are 3 lines long. The first line has 5 syllables, the second 7 and the third 5 again. Originally in Japanese, some people write them in English. Like me. 'Cause I'm crap at Japanese :P
But there was a competition a week or so ago, that my Japanese teacher informed me of, for Haikus. I forgot about it, and missed the deadline. But I had written a few, and it's actually amazingly simple and fun trying to fit the syllables in. They're probably all awful, but it's still kind of fabulous :D
Anyway, here are some of them. Many were written in my last ever Maths class (more on that another time) because the teacher was trying to teach me things I already knew. And I'm an awful maths student. I hear numbers and my mind begins to wander. No, seriously O_o
Some were written about my last day of secondary school:
One day, forgotten.
Names gone, faces only blurs.
Right now, together.
Remembering all.
Cameras marking the end,
Afraid to forget.
Nostalgia and Sun
Makes the children we once were
Resurface in joy.
These two were about my old, adorable dog, sleeping on my mother's lap.
The dog grows older,
Sleeps often. But within dreams
A puppy runs, leaps.
(Don't love it, personally.)
The old dog twitches
and growls softly in sleep,
dreaming of the Chase.
(That one captures my dog better, I think xD)
Random:
Feathers float gently,
out of remembrance of flight
more than the faint breeze.
These shadows, hidden,
following me, shadows all
shadowing each step.
Someone else watches.
I can always tell, you know,
when I'm followed here.
The Unwelcome stand
alone, eyes pleading for love,
needing acceptance.
(for such a bad poem, you wouldn't believe how many variations there were...)
These are two I wrote yesterday, out on a walk in a mood of sudden, strange melancholy. I'm not entirely sure why, but I stared out at the iron grey sea for a long, long time, and had an urge to write down a poem. Therapeutic, I suppose. I had no pen, no paper, so I wrote them on my phone.
In rotten seaweed
there smells a strange, distinct smell
of isolation.
The pigeon towers
through their window each morning.
A part of childhood.
OK, that's my little poetry corner. Anyone (as if anyone was reading this xD) has any poetry they'd like to share? For one, I'm bored. Two, I'd like to see other amateur poetry, because maybe I'd learn how to do it xD. I like Haiku because it has such a strict rule of syllables, yet is short. They can be emotional, or meaningless, but still fun to write. A word game, of sorts (5 syllables!).
Anyway, please share! If anyone does, I'll post them up on the next blog :)
I might also post up a creepy poster I did for my art exam (well, the draft, anyway. The real one's being Examined, after all).
Until next time!
Kate
Lion
My deviant art page :)
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Squirrel
Have I ever mentioned that I this year decided I adore oil pastels? I never liked using colour, it always turned out looking like something a five-year-old would draw. I always just used pencils to good affect (see the lion that's my sig. Pencil, and then used a computer to get the negative). But oil pastels are just like crayons!! Like the ones I used as a child. Just like crayons except with much better, more vibrant colours, and possible to smooth them out using turpentine or white spirit (haven't tried it yet, but should). Also, they sound much more respectable as an artistic medium.
"What medium did you use?"
"Oh, crayons!"
"... well that's nice."
Yes, I'm ridiculous. But the oil pastels are working pretty well for me, what with my crazy pictures of trees and conkers (horse chestnuts) and birds and, now, squirrels. This was a my third attempt, but I wasn't allowed bring a picture for reference into the exam, so it was purely from memory. Not bad, right?
On the other hand, must improve my standard for the real thing. I get the exam paper for that on the 8th of April and have just three weeks to prepare my piece. Eeek!
In other school news, I have an English essay due tomorrow that I should really be writing now on cultural context of my comparative texts (Casablanca, The Kite Runner and Emma). Oh well. Not that interesting when you've done it so many times all ready in the last two years... Then again, love the texts *shrugs* And didn't do that well in that section in my exam (while my Hamlet essay, which I don't particularly love, did really well :P) and need to work on it, apparently, before June.
Oh god, June!! So close... It felt like I still had so much time after Christmas... but once the Mocks are over it's like a ticking bomb! *dissolves into hysterical sobs*
Also: Art Design thing that I need to work on before tomorrow. To show that I've been pondering away at it. Need to find a few pics of tigers for it (poster advertising the "Madagascar Show". I've decided that this is an African-animal-themed circus type dealy and am doing a tiger leaping through a flaming ring :D).
ALSO: History project, due in April, meant to start months ago. Need to get cracking. It's on the death of Che Guevara. Cheery, no?
"It is not those who can inflict the most, but those that can suffer the most who will conquer" ~ Terence McSwiney, previous Lord Mayor of Cork before his arrest. Died during hunger strike in 1920.
Completely irrelevant, but he's in my history book, and yesterday my dad informed me that he's was a relative to my family. Crazy. Then again, Ireland's a very small place...
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Spelling
I told myself that I was going to post today, but my subject matter has changed. While there are plenty of things I plan to rant and moan about, for now I leave it to a singular thing: spelling.
I have never been a particularly inspired speller. I generally rely on the fact that I've read enough books that most spellings have become ingrained in my mind, and I'll therefore (all going well) know if they're wrong.
But, occasionally, I completely miss these things. For example, I only learned recently that I did not know how to spell 'glamorous'. My problem with that word (and others like it) was that 'glamour' has a 'u' in it (well, the English spelling, anyway. Possibly a bit less confusing for Americans...) but in 'glamorous' one does not just add 'ous' to the end. No, you must remove the original 'u'. I was informed that I had been spelling it wrong for many years... See, the problem is that, a lot of the time, I don't think about spelling that much. It just happens... But then someone asks you to spell something specifically, and you're at a loss. Suddenly very unsure of the world and your place in it, never mind the place of letters!
Alright, perhaps I'm being a little dramatic. But my friend Kim kept asking me to spell things today, as a result of what I affectionately call a 'mid-Leaving Cert. crisis'. Such a condition does not make you wonder if you're getting old, or your life isn't going anywhere... it's where you start to wonder if there is actually any of the information you need for the most important exams of your life knocking about in your suddenly-empty-feeling head. Your breathing gets erratic, the insomnia starts. You realise that, while you can conjugate verbs and use the dreaded Modh Coinniolach (conditional tense: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=modh+des+bishop&aq=f ) in Irish, as well as knowing how to say 'pathetic fallacy' as Gaeilge (fallas na truamhéala) but do not know a simple phrase such as 'good luck'. I know how to say 'good luck' in French, but not Irish.
Anyway, a similar crisis strikes in English. Yes, I know how to analyse Hamlet, as well as compare and contrast The Kite Runner, Emma and Casablanca, yes I can wax poetic about various poems by William Wordsworth, Eavan Boland and Robert Frost.
What? You want me to spell likelihood? Um... well... It's either an 'i' or a 'y' in the middle, I'm sure of it...
Soliloquy? Does it have an 'a', or doesn't it???
As I'm on the internet I'm perfectly capable of checking these spellings, and am aware that they are correct, however these are examples of words that confused me earlier today...
Speaking of which, my friend also claims that 'medieval' is spelt 'mediaeval', which baffled me accordingly, until I looked it up. Turns out my way is far more common, even in Britain. So, ha! It's a more old-fashioned way, which admittedly does look quite cool... But it's supposed to be that strange old attached 'ae' symbol that was used in His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman for 'daemons' (sorry, first time I encountered the symbol).
Of course, when I was 10 I thought it was spelt like medi-evil, so yeah...
It strikes me that, for someone who wishes to do English at university level lack of spelling could be a bit of a barrier, but I'll worry about that later *shrugs*
QUOTE: "Whoa, an asymptote. I am an asymptote! Brrr!"
My friends are strange... and to think, that quote was exclaimed after an English lecture on 'Faith Healer' by Brian Friel just 'cause the lecturer compared the readers and interpreters of the work to concentric circles...
I have never been a particularly inspired speller. I generally rely on the fact that I've read enough books that most spellings have become ingrained in my mind, and I'll therefore (all going well) know if they're wrong.
But, occasionally, I completely miss these things. For example, I only learned recently that I did not know how to spell 'glamorous'. My problem with that word (and others like it) was that 'glamour' has a 'u' in it (well, the English spelling, anyway. Possibly a bit less confusing for Americans...) but in 'glamorous' one does not just add 'ous' to the end. No, you must remove the original 'u'. I was informed that I had been spelling it wrong for many years... See, the problem is that, a lot of the time, I don't think about spelling that much. It just happens... But then someone asks you to spell something specifically, and you're at a loss. Suddenly very unsure of the world and your place in it, never mind the place of letters!
Alright, perhaps I'm being a little dramatic. But my friend Kim kept asking me to spell things today, as a result of what I affectionately call a 'mid-Leaving Cert. crisis'. Such a condition does not make you wonder if you're getting old, or your life isn't going anywhere... it's where you start to wonder if there is actually any of the information you need for the most important exams of your life knocking about in your suddenly-empty-feeling head. Your breathing gets erratic, the insomnia starts. You realise that, while you can conjugate verbs and use the dreaded Modh Coinniolach (conditional tense: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=modh+des+bishop&aq=f ) in Irish, as well as knowing how to say 'pathetic fallacy' as Gaeilge (fallas na truamhéala) but do not know a simple phrase such as 'good luck'. I know how to say 'good luck' in French, but not Irish.
Anyway, a similar crisis strikes in English. Yes, I know how to analyse Hamlet, as well as compare and contrast The Kite Runner, Emma and Casablanca, yes I can wax poetic about various poems by William Wordsworth, Eavan Boland and Robert Frost.
What? You want me to spell likelihood? Um... well... It's either an 'i' or a 'y' in the middle, I'm sure of it...
Soliloquy? Does it have an 'a', or doesn't it???
As I'm on the internet I'm perfectly capable of checking these spellings, and am aware that they are correct, however these are examples of words that confused me earlier today...
Speaking of which, my friend also claims that 'medieval' is spelt 'mediaeval', which baffled me accordingly, until I looked it up. Turns out my way is far more common, even in Britain. So, ha! It's a more old-fashioned way, which admittedly does look quite cool... But it's supposed to be that strange old attached 'ae' symbol that was used in His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman for 'daemons' (sorry, first time I encountered the symbol).
Of course, when I was 10 I thought it was spelt like medi-evil, so yeah...
It strikes me that, for someone who wishes to do English at university level lack of spelling could be a bit of a barrier, but I'll worry about that later *shrugs*
QUOTE: "Whoa, an asymptote. I am an asymptote! Brrr!"
My friends are strange... and to think, that quote was exclaimed after an English lecture on 'Faith Healer' by Brian Friel just 'cause the lecturer compared the readers and interpreters of the work to concentric circles...
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Two parties, two nights
OK, I've been to two parties this weekend and y'know what? I think I preferred it when I had not social life to speak of. It was so much less tiring!
Anyway, yesterday painted an awesome pic of an arctic fox (like Townsen!!! Love Townsen. To find out who Townsen is, click 'Abominable Charles Christopher' in 'Online Comics' down below).
Either way, it was fab. Tried to reproduce on canvas today. Didn't work out so well... *sigh*
Anyway, interesting times. Last night went to a slightly posh party (for an 18th, anyway). Parents served cocktails (strawberry cocktail. Yum) and then some fancy nibbles and cake. Very fancy. But there was beer as well. Abominably loud music.
Party tonight was more fun. More people I knew there, and had some fun times. Unfortunately, needed to get a lift, which meant I had to leave early :( But I am tired, so maybe it's for the best. Also, a friend was getting a little... promiscuous when she had too much to drink. Very worrying. Especially when she gets a little intimate with a friend. That must make things awkward O_o Had a vodka and coke. Vodka doesn't taste that nice with coke... rum is better. But, with my inexperience of mixing drinks, I think I put too much vodka in the cup O_o Oh well, it was fiiiiiiine.... Then had two beers. Well, one and a half while there. Finished the second at home. Still drinking it, actually. I try to make a point never to drink too much. I'm ridiculously careful.
Now I'm talking to my friend about the Jungle Book, for some reason, and we're comparing King Louis to a teacher in our school. We even once heard him singing the song 'King of the Swingers' O_o And this is man was the Vice Principal for a while. Our school is awesome :D
Anyway, sleep beckons. Away, to the realm of dreams and wonder!
Anyway, yesterday painted an awesome pic of an arctic fox (like Townsen!!! Love Townsen. To find out who Townsen is, click 'Abominable Charles Christopher' in 'Online Comics' down below).
Either way, it was fab. Tried to reproduce on canvas today. Didn't work out so well... *sigh*
Anyway, interesting times. Last night went to a slightly posh party (for an 18th, anyway). Parents served cocktails (strawberry cocktail. Yum) and then some fancy nibbles and cake. Very fancy. But there was beer as well. Abominably loud music.
Party tonight was more fun. More people I knew there, and had some fun times. Unfortunately, needed to get a lift, which meant I had to leave early :( But I am tired, so maybe it's for the best. Also, a friend was getting a little... promiscuous when she had too much to drink. Very worrying. Especially when she gets a little intimate with a friend. That must make things awkward O_o Had a vodka and coke. Vodka doesn't taste that nice with coke... rum is better. But, with my inexperience of mixing drinks, I think I put too much vodka in the cup O_o Oh well, it was fiiiiiiine.... Then had two beers. Well, one and a half while there. Finished the second at home. Still drinking it, actually. I try to make a point never to drink too much. I'm ridiculously careful.
Now I'm talking to my friend about the Jungle Book, for some reason, and we're comparing King Louis to a teacher in our school. We even once heard him singing the song 'King of the Swingers' O_o And this is man was the Vice Principal for a while. Our school is awesome :D
Anyway, sleep beckons. Away, to the realm of dreams and wonder!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Exams and other things
Exams are OVER! Yay! Sort of. It's feeling a little anti-climactic...
On the upside, my friend linked me to an image of drowning lemmings! Yay!
Well... not that yay. Another friend posted pics of adorable baby animals to cheer me up and under that someone posted, you guessed it, lemmings being pushed off a cliff by Disney.
I have strange friends.
Anyway, had my Japanese exam today. That went quite badly. Oh dear. Nihongo wa kantan ja nai...
History not that bad, but not fab. Had to write about Anglo-Irish Treaty Negotiations. THAT was fun... *facepalm*
Stalin and Lenin: Totalitarianism. A more interesting topic, yet couldn't remember a thing. Annoying.
Hitler's foreign policy before World War 2. Um, declare war? Maybe? No, I know there was Lebensraum, Anschluss and... bleh. Dunno. I know he invade Czechoslavakia before war broke out, and militarised the Rhineland... but I'm not sure what counts as foreign policy and what's domestic. Oh! And he expanded the army, and built weapons, which helped the economy. Say what you like about Hitler, but he really did help the economy...
Just kidding. Please don't kill me *quails*
In more interesting news!
Music! Great new band: The Farewell Circuit!
Also liking The National :)
Today had an interesting conversation about dreams. A friend, H, had a dream last night in which there were two elephants in the room. Real elephants. Not the phrase. She has an attic bedroom, and in her dream the baby elephant (it was a mommy and a baby, you see) wanted to go down stairs. So she picked it up, as you do, and carried it down. Dream!Holly is apparently incredibly strong. But it didn't like being downstairs, so she carried it back up. In her dream, this made perfect sense.
We told tales of sleep-walking and sleep-talking (I once started talking to the dog I seemed to think was beside me in sleep and trying to pet it, while my brother was unfortunately in the room and saw me doing this), and then tales of drunken orals, for some reason. The moral of THAT story was clearly do not go into your French oral drunk, because you will end up speaking in English in a French accent. Which is a bad idea, generally. Just a tip.
I'm knitting a Hufflepuff scarf. The summer after next I mean to go to a Harry Potter convention in the States. Yeah, I said it. We just don't have those here. And I really want to meet Team Starkid, and they might be there! That'd be coooool. But I want to knit my Hufflepuff scarf and embroider 'FIND' on the end. Fun fun.
Didn't you know? I'm a Hufflepuff. I know most HP quizzes tell me I'm a Gryffindor, but I think that, deep down, I'm a 'Puff. They're very under-rated. Just think of all the great, and admittedly barely mentioned, Hufflepuffs! There was Cedric Diggory, Hogwarts Champion and great Quidditch player. There was Susan Bones, whose aunt was awesome, whose relatives were in the Order and who was in the DA herself and hexed Malfoy. She's just cool (I like obscure characters *shrugs*). Best of all: NYMPHADORA TONKS. She's fab. And a Hufflepuff. So there. Case closed. So I want to be a 'Puff, and since none of it exists I figure I can be, Muggle or no!
Nerd spiel over, exam ranting over, for now.
TO DO list for the mid-term break (off for a week, woot!):
History project on Che Guevara
Japanese study
History Study
Painting (arctic scene, or fuzzy animal?)
Guitar -- practice Fast Car + learn new song
Writing -- new chapter of LITS. What's LITS you ask? Nothing but fanfiction, I'm afraid...
-- also, work on original story idea that I had in the middle of the night last week. That was inconvenient. Had to get up and write it down :P
Reading -- New Mistress of the Art of Death book, + Bridget Jones' Diary + The Name of the Rose
Knitting
Listen to all those CDs I have
Spy* on Maynooth College
Spy on Trinity College
Spy on UCD
Go see the King's Speech
Go see Black Swan
Go see Tangled.
I've come to the conclusion that, even during a week's break, there are still not enough hours int the day...
Sayonara! Sleep beckons!
* My friends and I are going to take a look around colleges to help us decide. Technically you're allowed, but it's more fun if it's spying. Dark glassed, dark coats, theme music, flattening against walls... such fun
THEME SONG: Duder's A Spy (from Little White Lie)
On the upside, my friend linked me to an image of drowning lemmings! Yay!
Well... not that yay. Another friend posted pics of adorable baby animals to cheer me up and under that someone posted, you guessed it, lemmings being pushed off a cliff by Disney.
I have strange friends.
Anyway, had my Japanese exam today. That went quite badly. Oh dear. Nihongo wa kantan ja nai...
History not that bad, but not fab. Had to write about Anglo-Irish Treaty Negotiations. THAT was fun... *facepalm*
Stalin and Lenin: Totalitarianism. A more interesting topic, yet couldn't remember a thing. Annoying.
Hitler's foreign policy before World War 2. Um, declare war? Maybe? No, I know there was Lebensraum, Anschluss and... bleh. Dunno. I know he invade Czechoslavakia before war broke out, and militarised the Rhineland... but I'm not sure what counts as foreign policy and what's domestic. Oh! And he expanded the army, and built weapons, which helped the economy. Say what you like about Hitler, but he really did help the economy...
Just kidding. Please don't kill me *quails*
In more interesting news!
Music! Great new band: The Farewell Circuit!
Also liking The National :)
Today had an interesting conversation about dreams. A friend, H, had a dream last night in which there were two elephants in the room. Real elephants. Not the phrase. She has an attic bedroom, and in her dream the baby elephant (it was a mommy and a baby, you see) wanted to go down stairs. So she picked it up, as you do, and carried it down. Dream!Holly is apparently incredibly strong. But it didn't like being downstairs, so she carried it back up. In her dream, this made perfect sense.
We told tales of sleep-walking and sleep-talking (I once started talking to the dog I seemed to think was beside me in sleep and trying to pet it, while my brother was unfortunately in the room and saw me doing this), and then tales of drunken orals, for some reason. The moral of THAT story was clearly do not go into your French oral drunk, because you will end up speaking in English in a French accent. Which is a bad idea, generally. Just a tip.
I'm knitting a Hufflepuff scarf. The summer after next I mean to go to a Harry Potter convention in the States. Yeah, I said it. We just don't have those here. And I really want to meet Team Starkid, and they might be there! That'd be coooool. But I want to knit my Hufflepuff scarf and embroider 'FIND' on the end. Fun fun.
Didn't you know? I'm a Hufflepuff. I know most HP quizzes tell me I'm a Gryffindor, but I think that, deep down, I'm a 'Puff. They're very under-rated. Just think of all the great, and admittedly barely mentioned, Hufflepuffs! There was Cedric Diggory, Hogwarts Champion and great Quidditch player. There was Susan Bones, whose aunt was awesome, whose relatives were in the Order and who was in the DA herself and hexed Malfoy. She's just cool (I like obscure characters *shrugs*). Best of all: NYMPHADORA TONKS. She's fab. And a Hufflepuff. So there. Case closed. So I want to be a 'Puff, and since none of it exists I figure I can be, Muggle or no!
Nerd spiel over, exam ranting over, for now.
TO DO list for the mid-term break (off for a week, woot!):
History project on Che Guevara
Japanese study
History Study
Painting (arctic scene, or fuzzy animal?)
Guitar -- practice Fast Car + learn new song
Writing -- new chapter of LITS. What's LITS you ask? Nothing but fanfiction, I'm afraid...
-- also, work on original story idea that I had in the middle of the night last week. That was inconvenient. Had to get up and write it down :P
Reading -- New Mistress of the Art of Death book, + Bridget Jones' Diary + The Name of the Rose
Knitting
Listen to all those CDs I have
Spy* on Maynooth College
Spy on Trinity College
Spy on UCD
Go see the King's Speech
Go see Black Swan
Go see Tangled.
I've come to the conclusion that, even during a week's break, there are still not enough hours int the day...
Sayonara! Sleep beckons!
* My friends and I are going to take a look around colleges to help us decide. Technically you're allowed, but it's more fun if it's spying. Dark glassed, dark coats, theme music, flattening against walls... such fun
THEME SONG: Duder's A Spy (from Little White Lie)
Monday, February 7, 2011
Harry Potter Fridge Logic - how much of a nerd am I?
OK, I've adored these books since I was six years of age and my brother read the Philosopher's Stone to me. He then refused to read the Chamber of Secrets to me (the third one wasn't even out then!) and so I had to read it myself. This was how I discovered that I actually loved reading. So this can all be blamed on my brother, really. Damn his hide... :P Nah, gotta love it.
But I've read the books over and over since then. I am a gigantic Harry Potter nerd. I know almost everything there is to know about the books (don't ask about the movies. Despise them).
Just now, I was reading the third HP book while I should have been studying (er... oops?) and I suddenly lrealised - didn't Dumbledore very DEFINITELY know about the tunnel between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts through the Shrieking Shack? He planted the Womping Willow there and everything! So, when Sirius Black was on the loose, why didn't he think to block it or guard it? Sirius obviously knew about it... after whole 'trying to kill Snape' incident that Dumbledore tells Harry about in the first book!
The other passages is understandable, Dumbledore might not know about those, but why did he make it so easy for Sirius? He thought Sirius was guilty... I'm just confused.
Believe it or not, I never thought about this before. Maybe you did. I can be slow. F'rinstance, I didn't notice that the Mirror of Erised's mysterious writing around the frame was 'I show not your face but your heart's desire' backwards until a year or so ago. Hey, my defense is that I decided it was gibberish when I was six, not really an age for great deductive thinking, and then took it for granted when I was older, just skipping past the strange language. *shrugs*
Similar thing here. I just took it for granted that Dumbledore didn't know about all the secret passages. But he clearly did know about that one... Ugh. 10 year Fridge Logic.
For anyone who does not know what Fridge Logic is (a lot of people, probably... it's another Nerd Term :P) read this page: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FridgeLogic
For anyone who can't be bothered reading that, Fridge Logic is when something seems to make perfect sense, but later (for example, when you're down in the kitchen getting a midnight snack) you suddenly realise 'Hey! That doesn't make sense!' and you notice that there was a giant plot hole that you overlooked.
Fridge Brilliance is the opposite. Don't relevant enough to explain. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FridgeBrilliance
WARNING: It is all too easy to get stuck on tvtropes. It's highly addictive, for all it's nerdy information. Yet one of the most intelligent websites I've read. Because of its nerd population. Particularly interesting if you do have a great love for books or movies. Or TV. Or anything, really.
Anyway: Any theories on the whole Harry Potter issue? Defense of ol' Dumbles? Do share.
But I've read the books over and over since then. I am a gigantic Harry Potter nerd. I know almost everything there is to know about the books (don't ask about the movies. Despise them).
Just now, I was reading the third HP book while I should have been studying (er... oops?) and I suddenly lrealised - didn't Dumbledore very DEFINITELY know about the tunnel between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts through the Shrieking Shack? He planted the Womping Willow there and everything! So, when Sirius Black was on the loose, why didn't he think to block it or guard it? Sirius obviously knew about it... after whole 'trying to kill Snape' incident that Dumbledore tells Harry about in the first book!
The other passages is understandable, Dumbledore might not know about those, but why did he make it so easy for Sirius? He thought Sirius was guilty... I'm just confused.
Believe it or not, I never thought about this before. Maybe you did. I can be slow. F'rinstance, I didn't notice that the Mirror of Erised's mysterious writing around the frame was 'I show not your face but your heart's desire' backwards until a year or so ago. Hey, my defense is that I decided it was gibberish when I was six, not really an age for great deductive thinking, and then took it for granted when I was older, just skipping past the strange language. *shrugs*
Similar thing here. I just took it for granted that Dumbledore didn't know about all the secret passages. But he clearly did know about that one... Ugh. 10 year Fridge Logic.
For anyone who does not know what Fridge Logic is (a lot of people, probably... it's another Nerd Term :P) read this page: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FridgeLogic
For anyone who can't be bothered reading that, Fridge Logic is when something seems to make perfect sense, but later (for example, when you're down in the kitchen getting a midnight snack) you suddenly realise 'Hey! That doesn't make sense!' and you notice that there was a giant plot hole that you overlooked.
Fridge Brilliance is the opposite. Don't relevant enough to explain. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FridgeBrilliance
WARNING: It is all too easy to get stuck on tvtropes. It's highly addictive, for all it's nerdy information. Yet one of the most intelligent websites I've read. Because of its nerd population. Particularly interesting if you do have a great love for books or movies. Or TV. Or anything, really.
Anyway: Any theories on the whole Harry Potter issue? Defense of ol' Dumbles? Do share.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
English Exam
My English Paper 1 Mock is the day after tomorrow *gasp*.
I quite like English, though. I'm fairly good at it. I like Paper 1 especially. It's just comprehensions and a short story. Easy, and I love writing short stories. Great fun. Quite a bit of pressure on this one, though O_o
Paper 2 is on Wednesday. That's poetry (Eavan Boland, Robert Frost, W.B. Yeats, G.M. Hopkins, Emily Dickinson, William Wordsworth. They'll ask me about one of them, so I have to know all of them), for which I seriously need to memorise my damn quotes, Hamlet, for which I also need to learn my quotes, and the Comparatives Studies question, in which I must compare The Kiter Runner, Emma, and Casablanca. What fun.... I hate Paper 2. So much to remember...
POETRY
Robert Frost: Very pretty poetry, but can be a little depressing.... Mostly I like, because of excellent imagery and style, beautifully expressed emotions and interesting speculations ('Design', creepy O_o).
Eavan Boland: Sort of pretentious, but tells a good story, and I appreciate the Greek Mythological references. My opinion on her poetry varies greatly depending on my mood.
Yeats: Beautiful imagery, beautiful style, very structured and intelligent. On the other hand, he's rather judgmental and a bit of a snob.
Hopkins: Nice enough, a bit strange and manic. Over-zealous in his religion, perhaps. Yet I adore the poem 'The Windhover'. Beautiful.
Dickinson: Delightfully insane. Quite like her. Hard to learn, though... Gotta love those hyphens :P
Wordsworth: Flowery language, delight in life and the world around him, beautiful imagery and beautiful ideas. Lovely. Possibly says bad things about me that this is exactly what I like. Probably shows me to be a little naive.
Hamlet
The title character is a little... whiny. I know his father just died, I know he is being told to kill someone, I know everything is falling to shit. But.... I don't know, it just makes him a little unlikable. All the evidence we have that Hamlet is a great guy is many people telling us that he's a lovely person. But he's not showing it, to be honest. Also, it's supposed to be a deep flaw in his character that he procrastinates killing Claudius. I suppose one could take the view that if Hamlet had killed Claudius sooner, then most of the characters would still be alive. One the other hand - would it have been morally right? Revenge is not the same as justice. Justice must be seen. I would see Hamlet's inability (for most of the play, anyway...) as a virtue. And didn't we see what happened when Laertes went the other way? That, equally, led to many deaths, including his own.
Also, Ophelia: I hate her. She's rather weak, and simpering. She's an awful female character, as is Gertrude. They're incredibly pathetic. Though the play I saw recently did include a slightly more ballsy, less whiny, more insane Ophelia than I envisioned from watching, so there you go. You never can tell.
In a far less intelligent analysis, I kind of like Claudius because he's just so much like Scar, from The Lion King. Because Hamlet is Simba. Everyone knows that :D Ophelia is Nala, though she wishes she were that cool. Does that mean the Hyena's are Rosencrantz and Gildenstern? Hmm...
And these are the things I think about. Scary insight, no?
Quote: "There is something rotten in Denmark, and it's that piss-poor attitude of his!"
"He has been rather hard to deal with lately..."
"Ophelia, he stabbed your dad through a curtain!"
~ Sassy Gay Friend: Hamlet -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnvgq8STMGM
"Hey! Hamlet... is like a Ham Omelette!" ~ A friend of mine. Gotta love her ^_^
I quite like English, though. I'm fairly good at it. I like Paper 1 especially. It's just comprehensions and a short story. Easy, and I love writing short stories. Great fun. Quite a bit of pressure on this one, though O_o
Paper 2 is on Wednesday. That's poetry (Eavan Boland, Robert Frost, W.B. Yeats, G.M. Hopkins, Emily Dickinson, William Wordsworth. They'll ask me about one of them, so I have to know all of them), for which I seriously need to memorise my damn quotes, Hamlet, for which I also need to learn my quotes, and the Comparatives Studies question, in which I must compare The Kiter Runner, Emma, and Casablanca. What fun.... I hate Paper 2. So much to remember...
POETRY
Robert Frost: Very pretty poetry, but can be a little depressing.... Mostly I like, because of excellent imagery and style, beautifully expressed emotions and interesting speculations ('Design', creepy O_o).
Eavan Boland: Sort of pretentious, but tells a good story, and I appreciate the Greek Mythological references. My opinion on her poetry varies greatly depending on my mood.
Yeats: Beautiful imagery, beautiful style, very structured and intelligent. On the other hand, he's rather judgmental and a bit of a snob.
Hopkins: Nice enough, a bit strange and manic. Over-zealous in his religion, perhaps. Yet I adore the poem 'The Windhover'. Beautiful.
Dickinson: Delightfully insane. Quite like her. Hard to learn, though... Gotta love those hyphens :P
Wordsworth: Flowery language, delight in life and the world around him, beautiful imagery and beautiful ideas. Lovely. Possibly says bad things about me that this is exactly what I like. Probably shows me to be a little naive.
Hamlet
The title character is a little... whiny. I know his father just died, I know he is being told to kill someone, I know everything is falling to shit. But.... I don't know, it just makes him a little unlikable. All the evidence we have that Hamlet is a great guy is many people telling us that he's a lovely person. But he's not showing it, to be honest. Also, it's supposed to be a deep flaw in his character that he procrastinates killing Claudius. I suppose one could take the view that if Hamlet had killed Claudius sooner, then most of the characters would still be alive. One the other hand - would it have been morally right? Revenge is not the same as justice. Justice must be seen. I would see Hamlet's inability (for most of the play, anyway...) as a virtue. And didn't we see what happened when Laertes went the other way? That, equally, led to many deaths, including his own.
Also, Ophelia: I hate her. She's rather weak, and simpering. She's an awful female character, as is Gertrude. They're incredibly pathetic. Though the play I saw recently did include a slightly more ballsy, less whiny, more insane Ophelia than I envisioned from watching, so there you go. You never can tell.
In a far less intelligent analysis, I kind of like Claudius because he's just so much like Scar, from The Lion King. Because Hamlet is Simba. Everyone knows that :D Ophelia is Nala, though she wishes she were that cool. Does that mean the Hyena's are Rosencrantz and Gildenstern? Hmm...
And these are the things I think about. Scary insight, no?
Quote: "There is something rotten in Denmark, and it's that piss-poor attitude of his!"
"He has been rather hard to deal with lately..."
"Ophelia, he stabbed your dad through a curtain!"
~ Sassy Gay Friend: Hamlet -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnvgq8STMGM
"Hey! Hamlet... is like a Ham Omelette!" ~ A friend of mine. Gotta love her ^_^
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Irish Oral
It went fine. Mostly. Could've gone worse. Dunno what I got.... but still, I don't think I failed or anything... have to wait and see :( I was scared to ask xD
I'll do better in the real thing. I have to! Now I need to give myself a motivational speech - excuse me a moment...
...
OK, all done. It wasn't a very long speech, considering... I'm crap at self-motivation. Anyone want to give me a pep talk off the top of their head? Go on, hit me. Can't be much worse than mine!
Did you notice my new and improved page? I actually added LINKS and LISTS to the end! Finally. Yeah. Looks quite shiny. I have links to Youtube vids down there, such as A Very Potter Musical, I have book lists and movie lists and music lists and even *gasp* a fanfic list, of some of my favourite fanfics. Mostly Harry Potter - be warned xD
And my lion - pretty cool, huh? I drew him a couple o' years ago, and quite liked him. Then I scanned him onto the computer and turned the image negative and WHOA! Instantly awesome! 'Twas fab. So he became my sig. Modified the image slightly to fit on this site. I need a better logo/signature beside him, so I've been designing one today, to block out the awful Irish memories.
Got asked a Modh Coinniolach question. For those of you who are not Irish, An Modh Coinniolach is the conditional tense, and we don't like it xD It's a little awkward. But Des Bishop (American comedian, learned Irish, and did a series on it) had a brilliantly hilarious joke about it. Might not get it if you don't speak any Irish, but you might *shrugs*. If you DO speak Irish, it's frickin' hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfLuFHdUG6k
In other news, my older brother got a beautiful new guitar for his birthday. Attempting to keep the jealousy in check and not become the Incredible Hulk. Not the most attractive of people, to say the least.
I'll do better in the real thing. I have to! Now I need to give myself a motivational speech - excuse me a moment...
...
OK, all done. It wasn't a very long speech, considering... I'm crap at self-motivation. Anyone want to give me a pep talk off the top of their head? Go on, hit me. Can't be much worse than mine!
Did you notice my new and improved page? I actually added LINKS and LISTS to the end! Finally. Yeah. Looks quite shiny. I have links to Youtube vids down there, such as A Very Potter Musical, I have book lists and movie lists and music lists and even *gasp* a fanfic list, of some of my favourite fanfics. Mostly Harry Potter - be warned xD
And my lion - pretty cool, huh? I drew him a couple o' years ago, and quite liked him. Then I scanned him onto the computer and turned the image negative and WHOA! Instantly awesome! 'Twas fab. So he became my sig. Modified the image slightly to fit on this site. I need a better logo/signature beside him, so I've been designing one today, to block out the awful Irish memories.
Got asked a Modh Coinniolach question. For those of you who are not Irish, An Modh Coinniolach is the conditional tense, and we don't like it xD It's a little awkward. But Des Bishop (American comedian, learned Irish, and did a series on it) had a brilliantly hilarious joke about it. Might not get it if you don't speak any Irish, but you might *shrugs*. If you DO speak Irish, it's frickin' hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfLuFHdUG6k
In other news, my older brother got a beautiful new guitar for his birthday. Attempting to keep the jealousy in check and not become the Incredible Hulk. Not the most attractive of people, to say the least.
Guitar
Enough of depressing things! Time for a little personal philosophy.
Is music not the most wondrous of human creations? Well, along with storytelling and art. These are the things that make us human. Our imaginations and interpretations of sounds and expression are what makes us different. Our intelligence has evolved to the point that we know longer just think about what is, but what could be.
It is the ability to ponder what exists outside of our little world that makes us truly special. We wonder if there is a God - and interesting question, one that has seemingly been asked for many thousands of years. Many different cultures, very diverse in methods of living and surroundings, often come to the conclusion that something else exists. That we are not alone. They wonder how we have been created, how we should live, what will happen in the future. Has any other creature on this earth wondered such things? Doubtful...
But this leads to many of the most beautiful and awful things, such as love, hate, revenge, empathy, understanding, kindness. Creative cruelty. War.
But it also creates music, emotions and stories expressed through sounds. It's beautiful and wonderful.
I was playing guitar a lot today, after my oral. I'm not very good. Pretty bad, actually. But it makes me feel... whole. Not always happy, 'cause I might be singing a sad song, but at peace. My fingers are sore now, though xD But I love it so much. Wish I could play the piano. Never had the patience though. Ah well.
Do y'know what's an awesome instrument? Violin. It'd be amazing to be able to play the violin. It's just amazing, in both classical pieces and more modern music - it just makes any rock song infinitely cooler to have a violin.
I love to sing, as well. I sing while playing. It's the main reason I play guitar, so I can sing. Just wish I was better, so I would be able to play some of my favourite songs.
I'll post about the Oral tomorrow. No one cares about the oral anyway :P
OK, done philosophising about Life, the Universe and Everything.
Quote:
"Wen considered the nature of time and understood that the universe is, instant by instant, recreated anew. Therefore, he understood, there is in truth no past, only a memory of the past. Blink your eyes, and the world you see next did not exist when you closed them. Therefore, he said, the only appropriate state of the mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you see now, you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it."
~ The philosophy of Wen the Eternally Surprised, from Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett
Always thought that, for all the jokes of these books, they often managed to be surprisingly beautiful.
"Against one perfect moment, the centuries beat in vain" ~ Wen
Is music not the most wondrous of human creations? Well, along with storytelling and art. These are the things that make us human. Our imaginations and interpretations of sounds and expression are what makes us different. Our intelligence has evolved to the point that we know longer just think about what is, but what could be.
It is the ability to ponder what exists outside of our little world that makes us truly special. We wonder if there is a God - and interesting question, one that has seemingly been asked for many thousands of years. Many different cultures, very diverse in methods of living and surroundings, often come to the conclusion that something else exists. That we are not alone. They wonder how we have been created, how we should live, what will happen in the future. Has any other creature on this earth wondered such things? Doubtful...
But this leads to many of the most beautiful and awful things, such as love, hate, revenge, empathy, understanding, kindness. Creative cruelty. War.
But it also creates music, emotions and stories expressed through sounds. It's beautiful and wonderful.
I was playing guitar a lot today, after my oral. I'm not very good. Pretty bad, actually. But it makes me feel... whole. Not always happy, 'cause I might be singing a sad song, but at peace. My fingers are sore now, though xD But I love it so much. Wish I could play the piano. Never had the patience though. Ah well.
Do y'know what's an awesome instrument? Violin. It'd be amazing to be able to play the violin. It's just amazing, in both classical pieces and more modern music - it just makes any rock song infinitely cooler to have a violin.
I love to sing, as well. I sing while playing. It's the main reason I play guitar, so I can sing. Just wish I was better, so I would be able to play some of my favourite songs.
I'll post about the Oral tomorrow. No one cares about the oral anyway :P
OK, done philosophising about Life, the Universe and Everything.
Quote:
"Wen considered the nature of time and understood that the universe is, instant by instant, recreated anew. Therefore, he understood, there is in truth no past, only a memory of the past. Blink your eyes, and the world you see next did not exist when you closed them. Therefore, he said, the only appropriate state of the mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you see now, you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it."
~ The philosophy of Wen the Eternally Surprised, from Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett
Always thought that, for all the jokes of these books, they often managed to be surprisingly beautiful.
"Against one perfect moment, the centuries beat in vain" ~ Wen
Friday, February 4, 2011
Storms, Irish and Pancakes
Gale force winds, terrifying. Almost got blown onto the road today O_o I was on my way to an Open Day at a college for PLCs (Post Leaving Cert.), for those (generally) who either don't wish to go to college or don't make the points. It's my back up, just in case. It's a creative writing course because, surprise surprise, I adore creative writing. It's what I want to do with my life. It's my calling. In the meantime ('cause I'm just not good enough yet) I'm gonna study History and English. Unless I fail my LC, in which case Creative Writing course! Woot! I'm sure it'll be awesome, and it can lead to English in NUI Maynooth. So, it's a possibility.
How did I get onto that? Oh, right, the wind. It tried to KILL ME.
But, earlier today, I had to fill in a questionnaire type dealy for my Yearbook. Mostly funny questions. For example, one question was
Who (couple) will most likely end up married?
Almost everyone I know suggested two girls who (while being straight, to the best of my knowledge) are very close best friends and have declared themselves married. And many people said Hannah would be President of Ireland some day xD
My one was mainly just filled with obscure quotes, even more obscure songs and random facts. For example:
Where will you be in 10 years?
On Mars, with Rumbleroar. He's a lion - who can talk.
Theme song of your life at the moment?
Knuckleball Suite by Peter Mulvey (a song all about remembering a special place and time, filled with people who were a part of it. Reminded me of my school, which I'll be leaving soon T_T)
Favourite quotes/words of wisdom?
"When I rule the world I'll have SNAKES"
and
"Trains are beautiful wizards!" Just 'cause it's confusing xD
I suggested that Kim's words of wisdom be 'You think killing people will make them like you, but it doesn't. It just makes them dead.' Brilliant.
Anyway, that's just funny. They also asked my first year crush O_o I'm not going to TELL them that! Even if I could remember who they were (which I'm not sure I can, the years tend to blend together a little...) it would be mortifying. Why would I tell them that??? Apparently some people filled that in, though *shrugs* Some people are crazy.
Went to Hamlet last night. Surprisingly hilarious, but a slightly odd interpretation at times... For one, they went a bit Freudian with Hamlet and his mother, with Hamlet (during the closet scene) dry humping his mother's leg like a dog, as a classmate so eloquently put it. My English teacher was somewhat aghast at this phrasing (she said 'made sexual advances' may have been more fitting) but mostly we all agreed that that was really the only way you could accurately put it. Another weird factor was that Horatio was a woman... And no, not just being played by a woman, but was acknowledged in the play to BE a woman. Which added a strange new layer to Hamlet and Horatio's relationship... Then again, a friend of mine was convinced, even within the original version (with a male Horatio) that there was a little something there. Sexual tension, love - something.
My friends and I have strange conversations. Anyway, Ophelia's actress was fairly amazing. She had much more personality and fire than I envisioned her when reading the play - in which she seemed slightly pathetic as a woman, let's be honest. But this one was fab. She portrayed such confusion, and love, and anger and betrayal - beautiful. And her insanity scene - brilliant. She tore out her hair and handed it to people instead of flowers! Creepier, far more manic interpretation, in comparison to the slight whimsy of the original (or the impression I got from reading).
Hamlet, too, was far more manic, and less mopey, than I originally perceived. Very well done. I didn't think he was very good at the start, but he just got better and better. Very funny, especially when baffling Polonius.
I loved the way the play managed so well to make small, insignificant characters some of my favourites. Rosencrantz and Gildenstern - so very hilarious! I loved them.
My favourite though (which is odd, 'cause I hated him when reading the play) was Polonius. His actor was amazing, Very very funny, great presence - yet there was practically a Large Ham warning, in the way he entered a room. Brilliant. So oily and slimy and such a suck up, yet I loved him. The same actor, after Polonius had died, played the Comic Gravedigger, also brilliant.
It's weird, but almost all Shakespeare makes me think of Discworld (series by Terry Pratchett) at some point or other. The curse (and joy) of having read Wyrd Sisters (parody of Shakespeare, mainly Macbeth and Hamlet). But there was a gravedigger in Night Watch called Legitimate First (his mother was very proud...), who was reprimanded by Sergeant Colon:
"Stop that right now. You know you've been warned before. None of that 'comic gravedigger' stuff. It's not funny and it's not clever."
Just makes me laugh whenever I think about it during Hamlet. Oh dear... Best not write any of that on my Leaving Cert.... Wouldn't go down well.
IRISH ORAL:
It's tomorrow, folks. The shit is about to hit the fan. In fact, me writing all this crap is mostly just slightly-constructive (but not very) procrastination. That's right. You, my dear imaginary readers, are being used. I'm sorry. Sort of.
Oh well. I hate Irish much worse than I hate French. Ugh.
Is mise Cáit Ní ---, conas atá tú? Tá tuirse an domhain orm! Tá mé go holc!!
What's upsetting is that I actually love the IDEA of learning the ancient language of my country, that was stolen from us centuries ago yet never completely relinquished. It sounds romantic, no? I love the way the words sound, I love the history behind it, I love the language and it's connection to my country. I HATE exams!!! They kill everything. I hate Irish because it's hard, but it SHOULD be something I love. *sigh*
Is fuath liom Gaeilge (I hate Irish). Tá sé an-deacair.
Cáit is ainm dom - my name is Kate. Pronounced: Coyt (sort of...) iss a-nim dum. Just in case you were wondering, dear make-believe person.
Tomorrow I make Canadian-style pancakes following my exam. Because I'll need cheering up, and I love pancakes. They're my aunt's recipe, she's been living in Canada for the past... I dunno, 20 years? *shrugs* My cousins are Canadian, born there, but obviously half Irish. Their other half is genetically Indian, culturally from British Guiana (in South America). So, interesting blend there. So I get to have a healthy amount of jealousy for my favourite cousin (closest in my age while being the same gender) Priya, who has beautiful coffee coloured skin, exotic black hair and beautiful features. What do my genetics give me? Pale skin - ridiculously so, I burn, don't tan - and red hair. Oh the Irish... ugh. Why couldn't my dad have Indian blood? Aside from the fact that no Indians ever really lived in Ireland until recently... And, even now, not many.
How did I get this from 'pancakes'? I'm just chattering too much to distract myself. Ugh.
Pancakes: delicious. We have maple syrup from our trip to jolly old Canadia last summer. I'll have that. And maybe some nutella... mmm, chocolatey goodness....
OK, I think I should stop now. Rereading the Kite Runner for pretend revision (doing it for the LC, comparative studies - Kite Runner, Emma and Casablance, excellent choices - but just love that book and want to reread it). So beautiful...
"For you, a thousand times over"
How did I get onto that? Oh, right, the wind. It tried to KILL ME.
But, earlier today, I had to fill in a questionnaire type dealy for my Yearbook. Mostly funny questions. For example, one question was
Who (couple) will most likely end up married?
Almost everyone I know suggested two girls who (while being straight, to the best of my knowledge) are very close best friends and have declared themselves married. And many people said Hannah would be President of Ireland some day xD
My one was mainly just filled with obscure quotes, even more obscure songs and random facts. For example:
Where will you be in 10 years?
On Mars, with Rumbleroar. He's a lion - who can talk.
Theme song of your life at the moment?
Knuckleball Suite by Peter Mulvey (a song all about remembering a special place and time, filled with people who were a part of it. Reminded me of my school, which I'll be leaving soon T_T)
Favourite quotes/words of wisdom?
"When I rule the world I'll have SNAKES"
and
"Trains are beautiful wizards!" Just 'cause it's confusing xD
I suggested that Kim's words of wisdom be 'You think killing people will make them like you, but it doesn't. It just makes them dead.' Brilliant.
Anyway, that's just funny. They also asked my first year crush O_o I'm not going to TELL them that! Even if I could remember who they were (which I'm not sure I can, the years tend to blend together a little...) it would be mortifying. Why would I tell them that??? Apparently some people filled that in, though *shrugs* Some people are crazy.
Went to Hamlet last night. Surprisingly hilarious, but a slightly odd interpretation at times... For one, they went a bit Freudian with Hamlet and his mother, with Hamlet (during the closet scene) dry humping his mother's leg like a dog, as a classmate so eloquently put it. My English teacher was somewhat aghast at this phrasing (she said 'made sexual advances' may have been more fitting) but mostly we all agreed that that was really the only way you could accurately put it. Another weird factor was that Horatio was a woman... And no, not just being played by a woman, but was acknowledged in the play to BE a woman. Which added a strange new layer to Hamlet and Horatio's relationship... Then again, a friend of mine was convinced, even within the original version (with a male Horatio) that there was a little something there. Sexual tension, love - something.
My friends and I have strange conversations. Anyway, Ophelia's actress was fairly amazing. She had much more personality and fire than I envisioned her when reading the play - in which she seemed slightly pathetic as a woman, let's be honest. But this one was fab. She portrayed such confusion, and love, and anger and betrayal - beautiful. And her insanity scene - brilliant. She tore out her hair and handed it to people instead of flowers! Creepier, far more manic interpretation, in comparison to the slight whimsy of the original (or the impression I got from reading).
Hamlet, too, was far more manic, and less mopey, than I originally perceived. Very well done. I didn't think he was very good at the start, but he just got better and better. Very funny, especially when baffling Polonius.
I loved the way the play managed so well to make small, insignificant characters some of my favourites. Rosencrantz and Gildenstern - so very hilarious! I loved them.
My favourite though (which is odd, 'cause I hated him when reading the play) was Polonius. His actor was amazing, Very very funny, great presence - yet there was practically a Large Ham warning, in the way he entered a room. Brilliant. So oily and slimy and such a suck up, yet I loved him. The same actor, after Polonius had died, played the Comic Gravedigger, also brilliant.
It's weird, but almost all Shakespeare makes me think of Discworld (series by Terry Pratchett) at some point or other. The curse (and joy) of having read Wyrd Sisters (parody of Shakespeare, mainly Macbeth and Hamlet). But there was a gravedigger in Night Watch called Legitimate First (his mother was very proud...), who was reprimanded by Sergeant Colon:
"Stop that right now. You know you've been warned before. None of that 'comic gravedigger' stuff. It's not funny and it's not clever."
Just makes me laugh whenever I think about it during Hamlet. Oh dear... Best not write any of that on my Leaving Cert.... Wouldn't go down well.
IRISH ORAL:
It's tomorrow, folks. The shit is about to hit the fan. In fact, me writing all this crap is mostly just slightly-constructive (but not very) procrastination. That's right. You, my dear imaginary readers, are being used. I'm sorry. Sort of.
Oh well. I hate Irish much worse than I hate French. Ugh.
Is mise Cáit Ní ---, conas atá tú? Tá tuirse an domhain orm! Tá mé go holc!!
What's upsetting is that I actually love the IDEA of learning the ancient language of my country, that was stolen from us centuries ago yet never completely relinquished. It sounds romantic, no? I love the way the words sound, I love the history behind it, I love the language and it's connection to my country. I HATE exams!!! They kill everything. I hate Irish because it's hard, but it SHOULD be something I love. *sigh*
Is fuath liom Gaeilge (I hate Irish). Tá sé an-deacair.
Cáit is ainm dom - my name is Kate. Pronounced: Coyt (sort of...) iss a-nim dum. Just in case you were wondering, dear make-believe person.
Tomorrow I make Canadian-style pancakes following my exam. Because I'll need cheering up, and I love pancakes. They're my aunt's recipe, she's been living in Canada for the past... I dunno, 20 years? *shrugs* My cousins are Canadian, born there, but obviously half Irish. Their other half is genetically Indian, culturally from British Guiana (in South America). So, interesting blend there. So I get to have a healthy amount of jealousy for my favourite cousin (closest in my age while being the same gender) Priya, who has beautiful coffee coloured skin, exotic black hair and beautiful features. What do my genetics give me? Pale skin - ridiculously so, I burn, don't tan - and red hair. Oh the Irish... ugh. Why couldn't my dad have Indian blood? Aside from the fact that no Indians ever really lived in Ireland until recently... And, even now, not many.
How did I get this from 'pancakes'? I'm just chattering too much to distract myself. Ugh.
Pancakes: delicious. We have maple syrup from our trip to jolly old Canadia last summer. I'll have that. And maybe some nutella... mmm, chocolatey goodness....
OK, I think I should stop now. Rereading the Kite Runner for pretend revision (doing it for the LC, comparative studies - Kite Runner, Emma and Casablance, excellent choices - but just love that book and want to reread it). So beautiful...
"For you, a thousand times over"
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Hamlet - to go or not to go? Now THAT'S a question...
Not really though. I'm going. Have to. The Mocks are next week, and I haven't seen it yet and it's on my course. So I really need to see it. But I'm just so tired and just so annoyed and I had an Art exam today and I'm just in a REALLY bad mood...
Quite a turn around from the last post, huh? I'm not in the mood to get hyped up right now, but the concert was AMAZING, everything I hoped and more. More on that when I have the time, because I want to make sure I remember as much as possible for ever and ever.
Also good: had Fried Rice Friday today. Yes, I know it's a Thursday. I'll explain another time. But FRF is the best thing in the world, and it stops Thursday from being supremely awful every week.
Irish class may be kind of shit, but at least I get fried rice. Teacher gets mad because I don't have the homework? Well, at least I get fried rice. It also helps that, as a sixth year, I'm allowed leave the school during Lunch to get my fried rice, and it's a rather nice feeling, getting OUT of the school for just twenty minutes. A feeling of release. Possibly one of the reasons I like FRF so much. Can leave other days, but there's never as much of a need or an excuse. 'Sides, I always end up spending way too much money when I go, so I try limit my self to twice a week, tops.
Anyway, I've got deviance to see and a novel to finish.
Not really. It's a quote. Can anyone (of my imaginary readers) remember the film? Watched it the other day, again. Love it.
But I AM going to a play. So I'ma gonna skidaddle (if that's how you spell that made up word).
B'bye now!
Quite a turn around from the last post, huh? I'm not in the mood to get hyped up right now, but the concert was AMAZING, everything I hoped and more. More on that when I have the time, because I want to make sure I remember as much as possible for ever and ever.
Also good: had Fried Rice Friday today. Yes, I know it's a Thursday. I'll explain another time. But FRF is the best thing in the world, and it stops Thursday from being supremely awful every week.
Irish class may be kind of shit, but at least I get fried rice. Teacher gets mad because I don't have the homework? Well, at least I get fried rice. It also helps that, as a sixth year, I'm allowed leave the school during Lunch to get my fried rice, and it's a rather nice feeling, getting OUT of the school for just twenty minutes. A feeling of release. Possibly one of the reasons I like FRF so much. Can leave other days, but there's never as much of a need or an excuse. 'Sides, I always end up spending way too much money when I go, so I try limit my self to twice a week, tops.
Anyway, I've got deviance to see and a novel to finish.
Not really. It's a quote. Can anyone (of my imaginary readers) remember the film? Watched it the other day, again. Love it.
But I AM going to a play. So I'ma gonna skidaddle (if that's how you spell that made up word).
B'bye now!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Art and Freelance Whales
Had a Mock Art Exam today (Mocks = Fake pre-Leaving Cert. Exam, for practice) and drew a rather fabulous squirrel. Must get it back after it's been graded, 'cause it makes me proud ^_^
Had barely any sleep last night because of nerves, and spent the whole of yesterday drawing squirrels to practice (can't draw from a photo for Imaginative Composition... needed to learn proportions).
On the bright side: TOMORROW is the FREELANCE WHALES concert!!! Amazingly excited! Found the band around this time last year, bought their CD during the summer while in Canada (cheaper!) and LOVE THEM. Utterly fabulous! They came over in September for the Electric Picnic music festival in Co. Laois (or was it Louth... meh, no one really cares) but I had schooooool *cries*. School ruins everything. But they're FINALLY BACK!!! And it will be amazing! So so excited....
If anyone reads this (doubtful xD) and don't know the FW (most people) then they are a band full of very talented musicians. Lead singer and songwriter is Judah Dadone, and one of the band members is Chuck Criss, whose music has featured on the soundtrack of the webshow Little White Lie ('Same Old Situations', a personal fave) and whose brother is Darren Criss, of A Very Potter Musical (and, latterly, Glee) fame.
Their music is beautiful, sometimes haunting, often very cheerful - despite the subject matter. I gather the CD is about a ghost and a child who are friends, or feel a childish form of love. Lovely anyway. Especially 'Broken Horse' and 'Generator 2nd Floor'.
They're playing Tuesday night (1st of Feb 2011) at 8pm in Crawdaddy in Dublin, Ireland. And it will be awesome.
Teething by Chuck Criss ('cause I couldn't find 'Same Old Situation'...) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34pZbiDJOrM
Broken Horse by the Freelance Whales: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZPvp-HRRYQ
Generator 2nd Floor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1KJs_tiL5o
A Very Potter Musical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmwM_AKeMCk
Darren Criss on Glee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Ysqz_sMU0
Had barely any sleep last night because of nerves, and spent the whole of yesterday drawing squirrels to practice (can't draw from a photo for Imaginative Composition... needed to learn proportions).
On the bright side: TOMORROW is the FREELANCE WHALES concert!!! Amazingly excited! Found the band around this time last year, bought their CD during the summer while in Canada (cheaper!) and LOVE THEM. Utterly fabulous! They came over in September for the Electric Picnic music festival in Co. Laois (or was it Louth... meh, no one really cares) but I had schooooool *cries*. School ruins everything. But they're FINALLY BACK!!! And it will be amazing! So so excited....
If anyone reads this (doubtful xD) and don't know the FW (most people) then they are a band full of very talented musicians. Lead singer and songwriter is Judah Dadone, and one of the band members is Chuck Criss, whose music has featured on the soundtrack of the webshow Little White Lie ('Same Old Situations', a personal fave) and whose brother is Darren Criss, of A Very Potter Musical (and, latterly, Glee) fame.
Their music is beautiful, sometimes haunting, often very cheerful - despite the subject matter. I gather the CD is about a ghost and a child who are friends, or feel a childish form of love. Lovely anyway. Especially 'Broken Horse' and 'Generator 2nd Floor'.
They're playing Tuesday night (1st of Feb 2011) at 8pm in Crawdaddy in Dublin, Ireland. And it will be awesome.
Teething by Chuck Criss ('cause I couldn't find 'Same Old Situation'...) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34pZbiDJOrM
Broken Horse by the Freelance Whales: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZPvp-HRRYQ
Generator 2nd Floor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1KJs_tiL5o
A Very Potter Musical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmwM_AKeMCk
Darren Criss on Glee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Ysqz_sMU0
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Partying Fun - sort of :P
Good party, mostly. Robert's 18th ^_^ Loads of people I didn't know, and Hannah wanted to 'mingle' xD But still, some very funny conversations took place, to do with Job and other Bible stories such as Solomon and one about circumcision.... oh, and incest. Olivia is a mine of Biblical info.
I have no idea why we were talking about this at a party.
Slight battles over choices of music with several people I didn't know. Myself and Kim, who like similar music, had certain songs we wanted to play, but these guys kept changing it to put on bad music! Ugh.
We put on: Starring by the Freelance Whales
Our Love Goes Deeper Than This by Duke Special
Twist and Shout, by the Beatles
Rox in the Box by the Decemberists
The Dog Days Are Over by Florence + the Machine
And then: BE PREPARED from the Lion King! Best. Song. Ever!!! I love Villain Songs, they're always the best, and Scar is just amazing (ah, Jeremy Irons...).
But THEN they changed the song, turning off THE LION KING (!!!) for Linkin Park O_o Gits. xD So we got them back by turning off a song of theirs in favour of 'I Could Have Danced All Night' from My Fair Lady, because it's just such a great musical.
*sings* I could have daaaawnced all night, I could have daaaawnced all night, and stiiiill have begged for moooooore...
What was great was when Kim and I kept singing that for Bray For A Day (day-trip into Bray with Ciara, Kate and Elaine Doyle) and scaring the others with our strange obsession with that musical ^_^
Ah, memories... I miss Transition (4th) Year. It was so fabulously carefree and lovely. One had time for excursions to Bray. Or was that in the summer...?
It was, I think. Oh well....
I have no idea why we were talking about this at a party.
Slight battles over choices of music with several people I didn't know. Myself and Kim, who like similar music, had certain songs we wanted to play, but these guys kept changing it to put on bad music! Ugh.
We put on: Starring by the Freelance Whales
Our Love Goes Deeper Than This by Duke Special
Twist and Shout, by the Beatles
Rox in the Box by the Decemberists
The Dog Days Are Over by Florence + the Machine
And then: BE PREPARED from the Lion King! Best. Song. Ever!!! I love Villain Songs, they're always the best, and Scar is just amazing (ah, Jeremy Irons...).
But THEN they changed the song, turning off THE LION KING (!!!) for Linkin Park O_o Gits. xD So we got them back by turning off a song of theirs in favour of 'I Could Have Danced All Night' from My Fair Lady, because it's just such a great musical.
*sings* I could have daaaawnced all night, I could have daaaawnced all night, and stiiiill have begged for moooooore...
What was great was when Kim and I kept singing that for Bray For A Day (day-trip into Bray with Ciara, Kate and Elaine Doyle) and scaring the others with our strange obsession with that musical ^_^
Ah, memories... I miss Transition (4th) Year. It was so fabulously carefree and lovely. One had time for excursions to Bray. Or was that in the summer...?
It was, I think. Oh well....
This blog is basically going to be my public, odd diary. It's just for my use really, to remember crazy fun stuff that happened. But, should you happen across it, feel free to comment ^_^ Unless, of course, you're evil. In which case: may I be your minion?
First off: The NAME OF THIS BLOG. Couldn't think of anything and then decided to use my two favourite words COMBINED. It sounds awesome because it IS awesome.
Discombobulatory Susurrations just sounds confusing, but I think it means something like 'confusing, hushed noises', like a baffled group of politicians conspiring amongst themselves.
Recently done things: My musical awakening has begun! Artists I'm listening to of late: Regina Spektor, Florence + the Machine, Broken Records, Arcade Fire, Charlene Kaye, Mumford and Sons, Feist, Josh Ritter.
Artists I'm STILL (and will never cease) listening to: Freelance Whales, Decemberists, Bob Dylan, Ron Sexsmith, Duke Special, Beatles, Tracy Chapman, Leonard Cohen etc.
Learning 'Little Lion Man' on guitar, as well as 'Harrisburg' by Josh Ritter.
Had my French Mock Oral (practice run!) for my Leaving Cert. today. Got a C, not bad. Need to speed up...
That's just boring.
Art exam MONDAY. Imaginative Composition. I'll try post it when I get it back.
Friend's 18th Birthday tonight! Woot! But I'm tired... ah well. I'll live. Maybe. I'll also stay sober. Maybe :P
I leave with a quote: "Trains are beautiful wizards"
Gem of wisdom, that. Pure, concentrated wisdom. It's too wise for us lower, unenlightened beings to comprehend, but I'm sure it's somehow an incredibly insightful look into the workings of the universe.
First off: The NAME OF THIS BLOG. Couldn't think of anything and then decided to use my two favourite words COMBINED. It sounds awesome because it IS awesome.
Discombobulatory Susurrations just sounds confusing, but I think it means something like 'confusing, hushed noises', like a baffled group of politicians conspiring amongst themselves.
Recently done things: My musical awakening has begun! Artists I'm listening to of late: Regina Spektor, Florence + the Machine, Broken Records, Arcade Fire, Charlene Kaye, Mumford and Sons, Feist, Josh Ritter.
Artists I'm STILL (and will never cease) listening to: Freelance Whales, Decemberists, Bob Dylan, Ron Sexsmith, Duke Special, Beatles, Tracy Chapman, Leonard Cohen etc.
Learning 'Little Lion Man' on guitar, as well as 'Harrisburg' by Josh Ritter.
Had my French Mock Oral (practice run!) for my Leaving Cert. today. Got a C, not bad. Need to speed up...
That's just boring.
Art exam MONDAY. Imaginative Composition. I'll try post it when I get it back.
Friend's 18th Birthday tonight! Woot! But I'm tired... ah well. I'll live. Maybe. I'll also stay sober. Maybe :P
I leave with a quote: "Trains are beautiful wizards"
Gem of wisdom, that. Pure, concentrated wisdom. It's too wise for us lower, unenlightened beings to comprehend, but I'm sure it's somehow an incredibly insightful look into the workings of the universe.
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