Since we had two weeks, I split my reading of the Odyssey into two sections. So, I just finished Book VIII-X, and I'm really starting to get wrapped up in the story. In this section, it once again focuses on Ulysses, and his efforts to return home. And once again, I am really happy that we get to see more of Ulysses. I'm surprised to find he's one of my favorite characters, always doing the right thing, and such. I also appreciate how Homer is really developing the characters more. We got to see some of Ulysses' humanity in these books, as he gets both angry and emotional at the house of Alcinous. We also get to see his great skills at many different sports, against the sons of Alcinous, among others. We see how powerful he can be when he is taunted, and yet at the same time, how weak. Later, he describes his journey before he is trapped with Calypso. It was really great to see the story I had heard a lot, the story of the Cyclops, actually written in The Odyssey. Now, we continue his back-story, as he reaches yet another island. (So many islands...) As a side note, I would also like to note a quite annoying word, that I have absolutely no idea how to pronounce. On page 68, at the top, it's the "Aeaean Island." There is literally five vowels in a row. That's more than queuing! (Or not. Scratch that.) But seriously, is it "Aaaeeeeaaaeeeeannnnnn?" Or something? Like, do you stretch out all the syllables? Because that's what I've got at this point. But anyways...
Book- Patriot Games- Tom Clancy
Video Game- SKKKKYYYYYRRRIIIIIIMMMMMMM *squeals
Music- Through the Fire and the Flames- Dragonforce
Classical Music- Danzon No. 2- Arturo Marquez (Note that this isn't exactly classical persay, but it's a symphony and whatnot so yeah)
Also, if you haven't heard the good news (which means you aren't friends with me on Facebook) then I made All-State Orchestra, which means I'm the 5th best cellist in the state :D :D :D
But that's it for me. Have a happy Thanksgiving! Just don't let it get in the way of NANO!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Book V-VII
Well I finished the next part of the Odyssey. It didn't feel at all as tedious as the last part was, for some reason. Maybe it's because it's less boring, or maybe just because I'm getting better at active reading. I like to prefer the latter. I liked how we finally got to meet Ulysses, and got to stay with him for a little bit. While I was kind of grumpy it didn't expand on what happened at the end of the last part (cliffhanger for the loss) I did enjoy hearing about Ulysses' troubles and adventure. I'm very glad he finally is on his way home, because I've been his secret cheerleader. (Shhhhhh, I don't have a megahorn and pom-poms in my closet, you heard nothing.)
I am getting surprisingly wrapped up in the plot. I find that the active reading isn't getting in the way like it used to, and now I'm actually able to ENJOY the story. (What? No!) I do like how clear-cut Homer makes the characters, especially. I hate when I have to decide whether or not I like or don't like a character. Here, it's just; "HEY. THIS GUY IS GOOD. THIS GUY IS NOT." Which is much better than, "This guy has questionable morals, yet he still does the right thing. So is it morals or actions that define a character, hmmmmm?" And stuff like that. *grumbles
I might also add that I've even started to get over the random useless info! (*gasp WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH ETHAN?) All joking aside, though, I do find it's less cluttery and annoying. So I think the rest of this book will be very good.
As for my weekly recommendations...
Book- Inheritance, Christopher Paolini
Video Game- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (AKA that which turned my life into a black hole of nothingness)
Music- The Heavy Rain EXTENDED Soundtrack, Normand Corbeil (To be found on Youtube of course)
Classical Music- Orpheus in the Underworld, Jacques Offenbach
Have a nice week, everyone! Don't let the weasels bite your ankles off! (NANO reference for the win.)
I am getting surprisingly wrapped up in the plot. I find that the active reading isn't getting in the way like it used to, and now I'm actually able to ENJOY the story. (What? No!) I do like how clear-cut Homer makes the characters, especially. I hate when I have to decide whether or not I like or don't like a character. Here, it's just; "HEY. THIS GUY IS GOOD. THIS GUY IS NOT." Which is much better than, "This guy has questionable morals, yet he still does the right thing. So is it morals or actions that define a character, hmmmmm?" And stuff like that. *grumbles
I might also add that I've even started to get over the random useless info! (*gasp WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH ETHAN?) All joking aside, though, I do find it's less cluttery and annoying. So I think the rest of this book will be very good.
As for my weekly recommendations...
Book- Inheritance, Christopher Paolini
Video Game- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (AKA that which turned my life into a black hole of nothingness)
Music- The Heavy Rain EXTENDED Soundtrack, Normand Corbeil (To be found on Youtube of course)
Classical Music- Orpheus in the Underworld, Jacques Offenbach
Have a nice week, everyone! Don't let the weasels bite your ankles off! (NANO reference for the win.)
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Book II-IV and blog announcements
Well I finished Books II-IV in The Odyssey (and I'm sorry about the late post but time's been thin in our house lately :/) and everything I think about the book can be culminated as follows. It's enjoyable, except for ALL THE UNNECESSARY DETAILS. Literally, it makes the story hard to read. I DON'T NEED TO KNOW THAT MENELAUS IS THE SON OF HIM WHO'S THE SON OF HIM WHO'S THE SON OF HIM WHO HAS AN EXTREMELY EXTENSIVE 20 PAGE LONG BACKSTORY!!!!!!!!
Yes I did use hyperbole but that is what it feels like. It's extremely annoying. But other than that, everything's pretty good. I feel like writing a whole summary of the books would be quite tedious and somewhat redundant considering everyone read the same thing I did but to put it shortly... *deep breath...
Telemachus and Minerva went on the journey first to Nestor then to Menelaus to find information of Ulysses and Nestor said he knew little so while Minerva left Telemachus went to Menelaus and he had lots of backstory but it ultimately culminated in he didn't totally know either so now Telemachus is going to be ambushed by the suitors.
Yes I did say that all in one breath. But there you go. Story's getting good!
And on the other part of the title... I decided since apparently we can have some fun with these that I will be doing weekly recommendations, in a format that follows.
THINGS OF THE WEEK-
Book- _____________________
Video game- __________________
Music- ___________________
Classical Music- __________________
Now for some explaining. See, I learned no one takes my advice seriously. Yet I still don't stop trying. And so I took my 'fads' or things that I get totally obsessed with on a week to week basis (as in they change every week) and decided to tell you all of the wonderful things in my life. Yes I realize this is silly and completely uneducational and I highly doubt ANYONE will follow ANYTHING I say but what the heck, life's about having fun, and I find this strangely entertaining. And as for the music, I find I listen to so much classical it deserves its own category. Congrats, classical. BUT MORE TO THE POINT- here goes... *crosses fingers
THINGS OF THE WEEK-
Book- The Odyssey
Video game- Been hooked on Batman: Arkham City lately
Music- Hero- Nickelback (Great song plus it ties in with PATH!)
Classical Music- Franz Schubert Symphony No. 8 (I think) "Unfinished". 'TIS GLORIOUS
Well thanks for listening to my crazed rambling. Don't worry, I'm not that crazy. Not yet. *eye twitch
Yes I did use hyperbole but that is what it feels like. It's extremely annoying. But other than that, everything's pretty good. I feel like writing a whole summary of the books would be quite tedious and somewhat redundant considering everyone read the same thing I did but to put it shortly... *deep breath...
Telemachus and Minerva went on the journey first to Nestor then to Menelaus to find information of Ulysses and Nestor said he knew little so while Minerva left Telemachus went to Menelaus and he had lots of backstory but it ultimately culminated in he didn't totally know either so now Telemachus is going to be ambushed by the suitors.
Yes I did say that all in one breath. But there you go. Story's getting good!
And on the other part of the title... I decided since apparently we can have some fun with these that I will be doing weekly recommendations, in a format that follows.
THINGS OF THE WEEK-
Book- _____________________
Video game- __________________
Music- ___________________
Classical Music- __________________
Now for some explaining. See, I learned no one takes my advice seriously. Yet I still don't stop trying. And so I took my 'fads' or things that I get totally obsessed with on a week to week basis (as in they change every week) and decided to tell you all of the wonderful things in my life. Yes I realize this is silly and completely uneducational and I highly doubt ANYONE will follow ANYTHING I say but what the heck, life's about having fun, and I find this strangely entertaining. And as for the music, I find I listen to so much classical it deserves its own category. Congrats, classical. BUT MORE TO THE POINT- here goes... *crosses fingers
THINGS OF THE WEEK-
Book- The Odyssey
Video game- Been hooked on Batman: Arkham City lately
Music- Hero- Nickelback (Great song plus it ties in with PATH!)
Classical Music- Franz Schubert Symphony No. 8 (I think) "Unfinished". 'TIS GLORIOUS
Well thanks for listening to my crazed rambling. Don't worry, I'm not that crazy. Not yet. *eye twitch
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
NANO
For those of you who ARE doing the adult's NANO and ALSO see my blog, first off, good job, and second, I'm under the name killinglights on the site so you can make me your 'writing buddy'... And if anyone has any questions since apparently I'm the resident expert on this go ahead and ask!
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