a welcome arrow through the heart

You're Invited!

2011-02-27T22:35:38Z

Oscars Viewing Party!

Live coverage of the Red Carpet starts on E! at 6pm Eastern.
The 66th Annual Golden Globes begin on ABC at 8pm Eastern.

Come one, come all! :D
Party will be hosted by rhymeswithpork at this post. See you there!

Passing time...

2010-10-23T05:10:57Z

I'm waiting for my chocolate cake to cool down so I can make cake pops. Yes, it's 1am. That's how I roll ;)

In the meantime, here's a meme I stole from iulieki :)

Reply to this with "Meme me" and I'll reply with...

1. Something I'll learn about you by looking at your LJ page for 13 seconds.
2. Which color you remind me of.
3. My first memory of you.
4. What TV character you remind me of.
5. Ask you something I've always wondered about you, and your answer has to be as vague as possible to keep the suspense.
6. My favorite thing about you.
7. Give you a weird nickname.
8. What's the last song I've listened to.
9. Challenge you to post this on your journal

And another that I stole from lovebit :)

Comment with an actor/actress and I'll tell you:

1. My favorite role.
2. My favorite on screen pairing.
3. An actor/actress that he/she should work with.
4. The first movie I saw that he/she was in.
5. My favorite picture of him/her.
6. Two reasons why I like him/her.

"But you need me to do better than you..."

2010-09-12T07:09:08Z

Thanks for all the support on the job-search, you guys. I really appreciate it ♥

Well, my plan for tonight was to finish season four of Psych. Vampire Diaries fan art happened instead, lol!

Gosh, I don't even remember how to do fanart anymore. I use Photoshop on a daily basis to retouch photos and do some color correction, but it's been a while since I've done any heavy-duty fan art.

First of all, let me say that I had no intention of doing a Stefan/Katherine wallpaper. I was going for Damon/Elena/Stefan/Katherine. But once I got started, I realized those two images worked too well together, and adding more to it would have ruined the effect. And so, there you have it! Enjoy! Constructive criticism always welcome :)

[ 1680 x 1050 ]

And these babies were posted on Tumblr, but since I love LJ more, I see no harm in posting them here as well ;)

Caps: Home of the Nutty / Lyrics: "Our love is more memory than time. There are no sudden revelations" - No Sudden Revelations by Paper Route

The girl who was on fire...

2010-09-05T05:13:28Z

Mockingjay, man. Mockingjay.

I'm so utterly perplexed and distraught by the outcome of this third book. I mean, I do love it, on the basis that I love the series, reading it with such desperation to know whether these characters (that I've gotten attached to) will make it or not. The suspense killed me. I ate the book up. My bloodshot eyes are a testament of this. Here are some observations I made:

1. I suspected that there would be a bloodbath, and I knew Katniss would be at the tip of it all, but there have been several turn of events that really took me by surprise. Like, WHY PRIM?! ;___;

2. Forget that the entirety of the novel was depressing, it also reaked of something primitive and perverse, like watching something beautiful rot right before your eyes and subsequently feeling repulsed by it. Political agendas, propaganda, revenge... heavy material, I gotta say.

3. What the Capitol did to Peeta? I don't know if I can ever forgive Suzanne Collins for doing that to him, and worse even is how Katniss reacted to it. Death is always expected in a war and we deal with it, but such torment is just too much. Amazing fiction, but hard to read. Peeta may have been a very predictable/boring character, but he was always my favorite. I will always love the boy with the bread.

What do you think? I have so much to say, but I'm still mulling it over it in my head.

"Yes, but is she scarred and bloody? Is she glowing with the fire of rebellion? Just how grimy can we make her without disgusting people? At any rate, she has to be something. I mean, obviously this"--Fulvia moves in on me quickly, framing my face with her hands--"won't cut it." I jerk my head back reflexively but she's already busy gathering her things. "So, with that in mind, we have another little surprise for you. Come, come."
Fulvia gives us a wave, and Gale and I follow her and Plutarch out into the hall.
"So well intended, and yet so insulting," Gale whispers in my ear.
"Welcome to the Capitol," I mouth back.
Chapter 3

This is like 1 out of 5 jokes in the whole book! TREASURE IT.

When the cabinets are empty, I rise to find that Gale has materialized in my kitchen. It's disturbing how soundlessly he can appear. He's leaning on the table, his fingers spread wide against the wood grain. I set the box between us. "Remember?" he asks. "This is where you kissed me."
So the heavy dose of morphling administered after the whipping wasn't enough to erase that from his consciousness. "I didn't think you'd remember that," I say.
"Have to be dead to forget. Maybe even not then," he tells me. "Maybe I'll be like that man in 'The Hanging Tree.' Still waiting for an answer." Gale, who I have never seen cry, has tears in his eyes. To keep them from spilling over, I reach forward and press my lips against his. We taste of heat, ashes, and misery. It's a surprising flavor for such a gentle kiss. He pulls away first and gives me a wry smile. "I knew you'd kiss me."
"How?" I say. Because I didn't know myself.
"Because I'm in pain," he says. "That's the only way I get your attention." He picks up the box. "Don't worry, Katniss. It'll pass." He leaves before I can answer.
Chapter 9

OH MY GOD ;____;

A chill runs through me. Am I really that cold and calculating? Gale didn't say, "Katniss will pick whoever it will break her heart to give up," or even "whoever she can't live without." Those would have implied I was motivated by a kind of passion. But my best friend predicts I will choose the person who I think I "can't survive without." There's not the least indication that love, or desire, or even compatibility will sway me. I'll just conduct an unfeeling assessment of what my potential mates can offer me. As if in the end, it will be the question of whether a baker or a hunter will extend my longevity the most. It's a horrible thing for Gale to say, for Peeta not to refute. Especially when every emotion I have has been taken and exploited by the Capitol or the rebels. At the moment, the choice would be simple. I can survive just fine without either of them.
Chapter 24

Katniss, you really are impossible to handle! Ngl, happy she ended up with Peeta <33

ETA: my dear friend elliania has a really interesting take on the novel/series in this post.

Friday Nights Lights, you have won my soul!

2010-08-22T19:06:32Z

I wrapped up season three of Friday Night Lights last night. It made me laugh and cry, bite my tongue, curse! Season three was AMAZING.

First of all, the writing, the filming and even the acting on this show continue to surprise me. The characters are so goddamn relatable and the plot twists are realistic and interesting.
Let's talk about the cute overload that are Matt and Julie! Yay that they got back together! The progressive way in which it happened was very sweet and very much them. I think the most beautiful thing about them is how they were able to mature together. Anyway, they are ADORABLE.
Speaking of Matt, I really liked his mom. She wasn't as useless as his dad was. Lorraine's condition keeps getting worse and worse. Not gonna lie though, I'm a little upset that Matt won't be going to college in Chicago. As much I want him to stay in Dillon to be with Julie and his grandma, there is nothing worse than being held back.
Tyra going to college = awesome!! Her determination was inspiring to say the least. When she hooked up with Cash, all I could think was WHY TYRA WHY?!! Don't get me wrong, I love Zach Roerig (Vampire Diaries, come back to me!!), but it was a step backwards for her and I just wanted her to get ahead.
I MISS SMASH OMG.
It never seizes to amuse me when Coach Taylor calls Landry "Lance". Ahaha!
J.D. and his parents. I don't really know what to say about them except :O. I think that storyline was very relevant to the show and although I hate the outcome of it, I thought it was a brilliant plot twist.
Which brings me to the whole education vs football topic that was ongoing during the entire season, pretty much since Tami became school principal. I couldn't help but sympathize with both parties. Education is definitely important, more so than extracurricular activities such as football. But football, the Dillon Panthers, that team and coach... UGH. Seriously though, it was touching storyline. That last scene with Tami and Eric at East Dillon High... so sad :(
Tim and Lyla, y'all! Just... epicness. I am so in love with them, it's not even funny. They both had really good character build-up throughout the season. And the level of sexiness is OFF THE CHARTS IDEK. Forget my shallowness for a little bit, they're actually really cute and good to each other. Maybe I'm delusional or something, but I love those two!
BRING ON SEASON FOUR! I'm a little emo that some characters won't be regulars, but I'll take anything I can get!

So with that said, I bring you another Top 5!

Based on the first three seasons, here are my Top 5 FNL Characters!

Let's start with the obvious, shall we? ;)

ONE. Tami Taylor

"Tell Buddy Garrity. Uh, he can shove it."
Tami is such a strong and well-rounded individual. She has a heart of gold and a fierce personality. She is awesome at being a wife, a mother, a mentor and a friend. She is someone that I aspire to be. Easily one of the most well-written characters in television. I love her to death!

TWO. Eric Taylor

"Every man at some point in his life is going to lose a battle. He is going to fight and he is going to lose. But what makes him a man is at the midst of that battle he does not lose himself. This game is not over, this battle is not over."
Coach Taylor is a lot like Tami in his strength and lion's heart. He is a role model and educator to his team and to the whole community. He's the kind of guy that makes magic happen. Not only is he incredibly gifted at his job, but he is entirely too charming and witty! We need more fellas like him in our midst.

THREE. Tim Riggins.

"Let's just embrace the suck for once."
Tim is a little idiot with rosy cheeks. He is the very embodiment of deadbeat teenage immaturity. With his drinking habits, his lack of personal hygiene and his impetuous attitude, he is hardly perfect. What really strikes me about Tim is his unconditional love for Billy, Jason and Lyla, and his proven ability to "change" for them. His devotion to them is moving. Sure, he's a dick 70% of the time, but he redeems himself every time. I am attracted to the person Tim is growing up to be. *crossing my fingers that season four won't change that*

FOUR. Matt Saracen

"Oh yeah, and then I said 'bitch!'"
Matty, Matty, Matty. I love this kid as if he were my own little brother. All the leading characters have family issues (except for Julie, lucky girl), but Matt's situation is a lot more delicate than the others. Being left behind by both parents and having to take care of an elderly person is not ever easy, especially when you're 16-17. He's had several breakdowns throughout the series, emphasizing his inexperience and his age, but his persistence at doing the right thing was at once refreshing and sad. I'm going to root for him, always.

FIVE. Lyla Garrety

"I thought God would do me a favor, for being such a good girl. Isn't that the stupidest thing you ever heard?"
This fifth choice was a tough one to make because it saddens me to leave anyone behind. Lyla made the final cut for one simple reason: she never disappointed me. After her little fling with Tim early on in the first season, all she did was try to rectify her errors and try to become a better person. I actually appreciated that. And honestly, her moments with Tim were so heartfelt. I know they are both actors, but they make that relationship so believable that I almost feel like I'm being intrusive watching them!

Good grief, picspamming is time-consuming! Remind me never to spend four hours browsing FNL galleries again ;)

Top five places I want to see

2010-08-20T17:25:52Z

I figured it was time I started working on that Top 5 meme. So here goes! :)

TOP FIVE PLACES I WANT TO SEE
(given to me by lovebit )

FIVE. Machu Picchu, Peru

Let me begin by saying that I am a travel bug and lover of nature. There are countless sights in South-America that are worth a visit (Guatemala and Columbia are beautiful, I've been told), but there is something so grand and breathtaking about Machu Picchu. A Peruvian coworker of mine often described it with such zeal that I ended up falling for it.
Image Credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

FOUR. London, England

I hesitated about including a city, but I've dreamed of visiting London for so long that I'm surprised I haven't gone yet. It isn't so much the sights that I'm interested in. London excites me because of its history, its culture and its everyday life. And that is something I would like to live for myself someday.
Image Credit: 1, 2, 3, 4

THREE. Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg has been a dream destination since I was five, or something. I don't think I can tell you how many times I've watched The Sound of Music and visualized myself running up the hills singing at the top of my lungs. That's what I call freedom, folks ;)
Image Credit: 1, 2, 3, 4

TWO. Kyoto, Japan

I had to do an oral presentation about Japan when I was in high school. Kyoto was truly the highlight of my research. I just fell in love with it. The sights are exquisite and the culture is so refined. The Oriental way of life is very different to Western civilizations, and my curiosity itches to see it. Besides, cherry blossoms, tea ceremonies, walks in a bamboo grove... Brb dreaming.
Image Credit: 1, 2, 3, 4

ONE. Santorini, Greece

This should come as no surprise to anyone. To me, this is perfection. In fact, every time I come across photos of Greece (and specifically Santorini), I want to cry! It's so beautiful and spectacular and I almost can't believe it's real. Honestly, I don't even know what else to say. I think the photos speak for themselves.
Image Credit: 1, 2, 3, 4

So yeah... it was really tough to select just five places. There are at least a dozen more I could have added, but the ones that made the cut are there for ~sentimental~ reasons. Honourable mentions go to Madeira, Bora Bora, Ko Phi (where they filmed The Beach!), etc. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this. Go on and tell me some of your dream destinations!

Stay tuned for more Top 5!

denrito @ 2010-07-12T14:46:00

2010-07-12T18:46:24Z

Ok, so before I start catching up with everyone online, something must be said.

Friday Night Lights, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?

I may have been completely engulfed with the World Cup, but I spent the last two weeks watching the first season of FNL, as per everyone's recommendation. I've seen numerous picspams and posts praising the show (though it was mostly lovebit rubbing it in my face :P) and it's about freakin' time I got around to watching it.

This show is made of so much win, it's almost hard to believe. The plot is so well-crafted, the characters are beautifully developed and the drama is a subtle but imminent addition to the show. And who can forget that beautiful cinematography, the luscious colours. FNL is simply the prettiest show on TV. I just... I LOVE IT.

For me, the best thing about FNL is TAMI TAYLOR. I WANT TO BE HER WHEN I GROW UP. That woman is so awesome, understanding, fierce and she tells it like is. For me, she is the strongest character on television. I don't know what she's like in future seasons, but if she's anything like in the first, then Connie Britton really deserves that Emmy nod. I am also completely in love with Coach Taylor. I always thought Kyle Chandler was handsome (I was gaga for him during his guest appearance on Grey's Anatomy), but it took FNL for me to realize that he is a GQMF and he and Connie make a wonderful on-screen pair <333 Also, Coach Taylor had some of the funniest lines!

Can we talk about how cute Matt and Julie are?! Haha, they're so adorable. And as a 24-year-old watching this, I find it so cute and innocent. They can be such kids sometimes, but still make mature decisions. I hated Matt's dad. I loved his Grandma though. And Landry. Oh, Landry, dorky Landry.

Two characters I disliked are Jason and Waverley. They bored me and they annoyed me. I love Smash, but every time he was with Waverley, I wanted to gag. As for Jason, he had his moments. But his douchyness really made up my mind about him.

I had wavering thoughts about Tyra, because she's a rough character. She meant well for the most part. I grew to really like her as the season progressed. As for Lyla, I don't think I really have anything against her. I know a lot of people in fandom disliker her, but she hasn't really stood out to me. I actually really liked when she and Tim hooked up. I love messed up relationships like that. They're so much more passionate. It's good television ;) Besides, Taylor Kitsch? YUM.

Tami: "What is The Scarlet Letter about, Tim?"
Tim: "It's about a gal named Scarlet, obviously."

LMFAO

Alright then! Bring on season two! :D

World Cup Review Post

2010-07-12T07:27:05Z

I wanted to start this post with FUCK YEAH, SPAIN!!!, because that's how I dreamed it would be from the very beginning. Because after a campaign of 45/50 wins, they were unstoppable! Because I got so damn invested in those players, that watching them play brought so many tears of joy to my eyes. Because two years ago, I was in Spain, during the Euro Cup no less, and I might have been overwhelmed by the energy and the passion for the sport. I guess I fell in love with the country, and with those boys.

But I can't say it anymore, because it's more than that. And it's less than that. And I'm trying hard not to get emotional right now.

The highs and lows, the beautiful and the ugly, the happy and the sad... here's a review of South Africa 2010.

The Group Stage
I think we can all agree that the Group Stage was the biggest mindfuck EVER. Who knew on that first day that France and Uruguay would tie? And that the latter made it to semi-finals while the former didn't even go through to the second round? That Germany would lose to Serbia? Spain to Switzerland? Italy to Slovakia? Although certain matches were frustrating, even upsetting, we got to see quite a few smaller teams shine, such as Paraguay, Chile and Ghana, to name a few.

The Round of 16
The second round produced some really good matches, but the one that really stood out to me was Germany vs England with a 4-1 win for Germany. That was AMAZING football, and was my favourite match of the tournament hands down (ignoring the fact that England was robbed of a goal. grrr!). Otherwise, the other games were more or less predictable, except maybe the USA-Ghana game.

The Quarter-Finals
Those four matches really bothered me and tore me apart. Uruguay's win against Ghana was UNFAIR. That damn handball (screw you, Suarez!) that led to their eventual win. Absolutely horrible. Germany annihilating Argentina... never expected Argentina to go down with a 4-0 loss. That was just beyond me. Germany were without a doubt the better team, but WOW. The Netherlands vs Brazil match angered me the most! They both played HORRIBLY. Robin Van Persie was being a total whiny bastard, Arjen Robben the cheater that he is and Felipe Melo's disgusting display of aggresion. That hurt me a lot because I thought so highly of these players before this. I've been a Brazil fan for fucking ever and I own a Holland flag since the EuroCup, so I felt cheated, like I was supporting a bunch of losers. And ugh, it just made me sad and I looked so dumbfounded at the end of that match. As for Spain and Paraguay, that game was boring! Up until those last ten minutes, when Spain scored, did it get interesting. It was devastating seeing Cardozo walking off that pitch crying :(

The Semi-Finals
After the Uruguay-Ghana incident, and the bs that was the Netherlands-Brazil match, I really could not care less about the Uruguay-Netherlands game. In fact, I couldn't decide who I disliked more. To me it was like "YOU BROKE MY HEART AND I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU ANYMORE *SOB*" I don't care that they are good, they are not cool to me anymore. Germany-Spain, however, was the match I was most looking forward to. I love Germany, but I really wanted Spain to win it. Arguably, Germany deserved it more. They had a better tournament than Spain's edgy one. And I will never say that Germany played badly during the game, because tbh, Spain hogged the ball and never even let them play. And who knew that Spain's best performance would be against Germany?! SERIOUSLY.

The World Cup Final
First of all, the fact that Spain and the Netherlands made it this far? A+++ And considering my love for the Spanish NT and my fresh disdain towards the Oranje, Spain HAD to win it! And SHITSON, WAS THAT MATCH DRAMATIC OR WHAT?!!! I hate it when footballers become aggressive on the field, it makes for terrible football. And although getting carded is consistent among the Netherlands' squad, Spain came into this match with no more than three yellow cards, only to pick up five more against the Dutch. IF I AM BIASED, IT IS BECAUSE I AM BITTER AND I AM BITTER BECAUSE I WAS HURT. DON'T JUDGE ME. Anyway, Iniesta is hardly my fave player, but you would not believe how thankful I was when he scored that goal. And then they won and I was moved, and ecstatic and jubilant. I felt like a proud mama.

There are two teams I really want to talk about at length: Germany and Spain. They've impressed me and have contributed so much to this world cup and I'd like to recognize them as the wonderful teams that they are.

Germany
If the Dutch were like machines, the Germans were like warriors. They played with fierce passion, blood in their eyes, and with heart. They maneuvered their way on that field with such tact and beautiful symmetry. Watching them run and pass and score was appreciating the art and raw nature of the sport. On many one occasion, they thrilled me and, at times, I felt I had to catch my breath. A young team, fresh legs, a prosperous future ahead of them, and I can't help but feel elated and proud. Germany is pretty damn good, if not the best, and not a single person can contest it! The likes of Mueller (who easily swooped the Best Young Player Award and the Golden Boot), the great frog-eyed Oezil, Khedira, the infamous Podolski, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Klose!, Friedrich, etc, etc. I thought I would be emo about Ballack sitting out the World Cup, but they did beautifully without him, so props to you Deutschland.

Spain
There's no way I can be as eloquent about Spain as I just was with Germany. Spain drives me crazy. It makes my heart race, makes me scream for air, makes me feel alive! So when they lost that first match against Switzerland, I felt like someone in the family died. And everything the Spanish NT felt during this last month, I felt it too. I mourned that loss, and slowly I started moving on. One morning I woke up, and I felt that there was hope. Spain was not at all impressive, or at least not playing their best, but it was painstakingly clear that they wanted and needed to win. They fought, winning so narrowly each time. I don't think their style was very entertaining, but it has proven effective. My love affair with the Spanish NT is my love for these boys. Villa was amazing for scoring five goals, Sergio Ramos was the most valuable of the team, Piqué and Puyol proving that Spain's defense is actually not that bad, Xavi, Alonso, Iniesta, Fabregas showing off brilliant midfielder skills and Casillas, for being the best goalkeeper in the world. Special shoutouts go out to Llorente, Jesus Navas, Silva and my bb Torres, who doesn't seem to be doing well at all (AND I FEAR FOR HIS FUTURE BRB CRYING). I personally think y'all deserved to win the cup, but that's just my opinion.

Alright then, it's 3am, so let's put the rest of this in point form. Let's call this category... MISCELLANEOUS!

The Jabulani ball! I do actually think we would've had more goals if they played with another ball.
VUVUZELAAAAAAS! Hated them at first, then learned to love them. They were an integral part of the culture of this world cup.
Referees. There have been some serious mistakes that I hope will not happen in the future. Not cool, FIFA.
The Nike "Write the Future" commercial. You know, that one! <33
GONZALO HIGUAIN
Piqué with cotton in his mouth, from bleeding
Ronaldo's neck goal. And the baby drama, haha.
Landon Donovan's goal in the 91st minute against Algeria
Reaction shots of Maradona and David Beckham
SLOW-MO SHOTS. PERIOD.
France drama, blah blah.
Diego Forlan
Kaká and Klose bs red-card
How useless it is to talk about diving anymore?!
Iker Casillas, who was far more deserving of the Man of the Match title than Iniesta. Whatever, he got the Golden Glove Award :D
And last but certainly not least... PAUL, THE PSYCHIC OCTOPUS! ALL HAIL!!!!

I think this sums it up. LOL. Sure, I missed some things, and this post is seriously lacking in visuals. I AM TIRED, I'M SORRY. Anyway, let me know what you think, or link me to your own posts.

Basically, SPAIN WON OMG OMG OMG YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!1 :D I am so happy, you don't even know! I'm really proud of them and I hope to see them again soon! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

I'm a little obsessed...

2010-05-29T05:53:52Z

LOOK AT HIM.
The eyes, the freckles, the parted lips (!!)...

*dies*

You should watch this video. His expression is ADORABLE. And I dig the new haircut <33

Relationships: Glee, The Vampire Diaries, Doctor Who and Chuck!

2010-05-08T06:37:50Z

Remember how I said I wanted to write an entry on relationship dynamics on TV? Well, here it is. It's not as clever or original as you would expect it to be (ahaha!), but it's a little insightful and maybe, in terms of opinion, some of us are on the same page. And if not, feel free to prove me wrong. Conversations thrill me. I mean it.

I've kept this as spoiler-free as possible, so if you've missed an episode or two of any of these shows, you'll be just fine :)

And so it goes...

GLEE
Let's start with Glee. Glee is actually what prompted this post, so it's only fair to discuss it first. I will not delve into all the relationships on that show. I'm actually only going to focus on one character. A character that ranks 50/50 on the love/hate meter. Yes, that would be the annoying but talented Rachel Berry.

The reason Rachel is so important is because... well, let's face it, it's her show. Not Will's or Finn's or Sue's. RACHEL. She runs this shindig, do not deny. In fact, those who like Rachel enjoy the show far more than those who dislike her. (P.S. Last week's episode, in which Lea had 2-3 lines was "weakest" according to many entertainment blogs. How about that?!)

That being said, Rachel (yes, Rachel) has been involved in three romantic plot-lines (four if you want to count her brief infatuation with Will). I know Glee doesn't succeed because it's realistic. It's so far from being realistic that it makes me wonder if my arguments are even valid! Glee succeeds because it's funny. And amidst that humour, there's a hint of morale and a lesson is always learned. Anyway, back to Rachel and her three romantic interests. In a few words, I started out as a Finn/Rachel shipper (as I'm sure most people did). When Puck/Rachel happened, I was ALL OVER THAT. Then, guess what? Some guy named Jesse enters the picture and, at that point, my only thought was 'WTF THIS IS RIDICULOUS!'. Let's look at this more closely.

Finn/Rachel:
Finn and Rachel (starting out with the pilot) seemed like the kind of couple you wanted to root for. I mean, we've all seen the nerdy chick type falling for the jock, but what was most interesting about Finn and Rachel is that they are both oddballs, in their own respective ways. Their relationship was progressive and evolved naturally (well, as naturally as Glee can produce! lol), but it was never consistent (the show's biggest flaw is inconsistency.) Anyway, they have a back and forth relationship going on and the writers could've really explored it a little more if they wanted us to enjoy it. But they screwed up. Moving on...

Puck/Rachel:
I'm pretty sure you'll all agree that pairing Puck and Rachel came out of nowhere. Or not so much nowhere, but that it far exceeded expectations. "Mash-Up" showed the viewers a totally different side of Puck. He was suddenly interesting. The character had depth and he and Rachel were *cough* hot together! But see, what really bothers me is that the writers didn't really intend for this to happen. This pairing was Lea's idea and they put it in. Just like Brittany's characteris Heather Morris (only slightly exagerated). As much as I enjoyed this pairing (at least they live on in fanfiction), having them hook up and break up in the same episode just to bring out Puck's inner softie? Kind of lame. And that mention of "Puckleberry" on the show was a serious faux-pas, idek. Try harder, Glee writers!

Jesse/Rachel:
No surprise here, Lea's got more chemistry with Jonathan Groff than anyone else on that cast. And yes, Jesse and Rachel are cute and cuddly and I could pet them all day, but OMG SERIOUSLY? I'm glad they got Jonathan on the show. He's an excellent addition to the cast, but did he have to be a romantic interest for Rachel. They got together and fell in love faster than I can blink! I wasn't given the time to fall in love with them. Call me crazy, but the fans are supposed to love the couple before the couple even gets together. This is television! I need build-up, damnit!

Honestly, I don't really care who Rachel ends up with. I just want something that flows naturally and that would not leave me confused week after week. Rachel needs a friend. She doesn't need, or even deserve, three guys vying for her attention. It doesn't make any sense to me and it's full-out sloppy writing. YES, I'M TOTALLY DISCREDITING THE WRITERS. SUE ME. They tend to move on from one plot to another without any explanations whatsoever. Plots twists are either forgotten or nonchalantely ignored. They have great ideas, I'll give them that, but I wish they'd work on those ideas more and create something that isn't mediocre, but brilliant.

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
In case you haven't noticed, I'm on a Vampire Diaries high right now, so I'm a little afraid that my fangirling will depreciate my discussion on relationships. Anyway, I'm still going to share my opinion with you, as articulately as I can and I do hope to hear your own thoughts on this subject.

Alright, let's start with that triangle that we all love so much, shall we? ;) We'll discuss Damon/Elena first because they seem to be the preferred ship among most people I encounter. I get it, Damon and Elena are intriguing. They are funny, they have chemistry, and they rarely have a dull moment together (mostly it's Damon being his badass self and Elena putting him in his place.) We all love a good girl/bad boy pairing. They're unpredictable, exciting and dramatic. Let's face it, we're all suckers for good drama. And come on, the banter, the cajoling! How can you not appreciate that? They also have their hearty moments, usually prompted by vulnerability. Anyway, they're interesting. Although the relationship is one-sided at the moment, there could be an eventual hook up. And if not that, the sexual tension between the two will forever linger on, I've no doubt.

As for Stefan/Elena, putting aside the fact that a mortal is dating a vampire, these two have a rather healthy relationship. It is sweet, mutual and real. They are completely devoted to one another. But hey, if you're not into cheesy relationships, Stefan/Elena isn't one of them. Aside from being totally adorable together, this pairing can get pretty angsty at times (and if you know me at all, I live for angst!). They are both very vulnerable characters and they each lived their set of hardships. There is so much passion between them and they can overcome anything. I know that Stefan is boring to some people. He's not as "present" or as carefree as Damon. In some way, he's just there and I guess that could be a drag for some and he hardly helps progress the plot. I feel like I constantly need to defend him, because he really doesn't get enough love in fandom. But yeah, that's just me being a sap.

I LOVE Damon/Elena, but I don't actually ship them together. I find Stefan/Elena more compelling. It's hopeful and believable. They move me. My heart is heavy when something is wrong between them and I feel elated when they are happy. To tell you the truth, I like to give shows time to develop before I take sides. In any case, I'm interested in seeing this triangle unfold. I have a feeling it's going to be colossal (reminds me so much of old WB romances *sigh*).

I'm going to gloss over the other pairings briefly because they're not as significant and do not require much discussion.

Matt and Caroline are really cute together. I personally don't see the compatibility but, hey, if it works for them, then it's alright with me. Jeremy and Anna are also an adorable pair. I wasn't a fan of Anna's in the beginning because of Malese Jow's less-than-fabulous acting skills (I was so glad they got rid of Sean Faris for that very reason, sorry to say) but I suppose she's grown on me, and I could look past it now, sort of. Still too early to full-on ship it, but they're okay. My favourite ship of all is Alaric/Jenna. It hasn't been explored much, but it's there. And I don't know if this has something to do with growing up, but I really enjoy older, more mature, couples nowadays. Anyway, I really hope we get to see more of that. Seriously.

DOCTOR WHO
Ugh, this show! How lucky are we to have Matt Smith and Karen Gillan grace our TV/computer screens every weekend? My Saturdays have never been more exciting! ahaha

Ok then, let's do this. There's one important relationship on that show. It's been discussed numerous times since the season began, but there's no harm in saying it again.

Eleven/Amy? I don't ship it. There you have it! Shocking? Not quite. Let me explain.

I love Eleven, and I love Amy. And I love Eleven/Amy... as a team. Just like I LOVED Ten/Donna, Eleven/Amy are so effortlessly charming and animated that shipping them is almost quintessential. There are so many reasons, so many key moments, why we'd want them to be together. They make a good pair, they're quite fond of each other and and personal spaces are often crossed (hot!). Really, they're adorable. But friends can be adorable too ;)

Doctor Who is what it is because of the adventures. The romantic sub-plot with Doctor/Rose was great (otp, much?), but as Matt Smith already put it, "there is always room for romance in Doctor Who but to be honest, the idea of the companion and the Doctor getting together is a bit of a tired story by now". We've been through it once. We need to recover from it. We'd like to go back to exciting new places and see new faces. And Amy has Rory. I'd like that relationship to work, if I can be frank.

Anyway, this whole thing has made me question my choice on a wider spectrum. If Doctor Who didn't have its history or if it were another show altogether (with a similar premise), I'd ship Eleven/Amy. I'd ship it hard. So, what gives? I think, as viewers, we consciously choose whether we like a couple or not. We choose not with our heart but with our mind. I've decided not to ship Eleven/Amy, even if the rules of the universe tell me to, because I don't want to ship it. How messed up is that?

This is probably just my insanity talking btw, but if you find significance in this, holler back!

CHUCK
Oh wow, I've written so much already. I'm going to keep it short for this. Will only talk about Chuck and Sarah because I haven't much to say about Ellie/Devon ♥.

I'm pretty sure this is an unpopular opinion in fandom, but here goes, at the risk of getting my head cut off.

First of all, let's just acknowledge that this season of Chuck is weak. The introduction of Shaw and Hannah (but especially Shaw) really didn't help the Chuck/Sarah relationship much. In fact, there was too much back and forth stupidity going on that it made me want to bang my head against a concrete wall a couple of times. Anyway, Chuck and Sarah are finally together! Yay! Haha, except the truth is that I kind of got over them. Not because they got together, but the spark was missing this entire season. Too much time has passed and I find myself totally uninterested. They just don't mesh well together. And I'm finding Sarah to be pretty irritable as of late. I thought Chuck and Hannah had way more chemistry actually. Don't get me wrong, Chuck and Sarah have their moments, but I don't feel giddy or particularly enthusiastic when they share a scene of romantic nature.

Alright, you may start throwing tomatoes at me. I'll take it like a big girl. (p.s. I prefer them ripe btw. tyvm)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Christ, this was a lot longer than I intended. And even as I read it over, I feel like I missed so much. You know, I've always been of the mindset that a TV show needs a romantic sub-plot for me to enjoy it. There's still truth to that, but I've come to realize that I like real relationships. Relationships that make sense, in which two great characters gradually fall for one another. I don't like forced relationships that serve to boost up the drama or create conflict. Those are boring and pointless to me.

Well then, I truly hope this entry hasn't exhausted you or sucked all the remaining good things in the world. I'm deeply sorry if this has tampered with your mood. I hope not! I hope you found yourself nodding at some point! lol, anyway. Love you guys!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T07:53:48Z

Today was perfect! It's 3:35am so I'm summing this up. I spent about 6 hours at the park with some friends playing cards, snacking and "sunbathing" and it was so lovely. 28°C! And then later in the evening, we watched The Hangover (my first time!) and that was bloody hilarious!

I got home at midnight and guess what was waiting for me?
A DOCTOR WHO DOWNLOAD, OF COURSE!!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL DAY?! :O

I am soooo so glad I went ahead and caught up with the series. I wrapped up s4 just last night (can I just say that Doctor Who is fucking amazing for producing episodes like The Family of Blood, Last of the Time Lords, ALL OF S4 and THE END OF FUCKING TIME?!!). Look at my newly uploaded icon! Isn't Tom quite the looker? *swoon*

David Tennant, you are the love of my life, but Matt Smith is DA MAN. And I will rave so much more about it later.

You see, I'm attending a Doctor Who party and I WANT YOU THERE. It's going to be so wild :D

SEEYA THERE!

And a HAPPY EASTER to the lot of you who celebrate it! :)

Photo post!

2010-03-27T23:44:13Z

First of all, I'm being a terribly lousy friend, and I am sorry! Aside from seeing Muse with lustreglass two weeks ago (and thank the gods for that!), I haven't seen any of my rl friends in like a month. So yes, I'm restless, I'm broke and I wish I had more interesting things to talk about.

However, since this isn't the case, I come bearing pictures! Nothing saucy or unf-y. Just a bunch of my new and old photos that I tweaked in Photoshop. PLEASE TELL ME IF THEY SUCK OR NOT! IF YOU'VE EVER WANTED TO BE MEAN TO ME, THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE! Seriously though, I want honest and constructive criticism. They're all different styles, so I'd like to know what to pursue and what to give up!

01. I had an assignment that involved a laundromat, and this random girl walked right into the picture. Thanks, girl!

02. This is in San Francisco and it's actually my fave picture. I love colour, but I sometimes tend to oversaturate.

03. Barcelona! Here's another saturated picture for you.

04. I was going for a subtle dreamy/surreal effect. Not sure if I've achieved it.

05. I love the out-of-focus effect, but can only manage it with my camera. Can't figure out how to do it in PS.

06. Cropping this image was a great move because it gave it more personality. That's Alcatraz in the back btw.

07. My attempt at black and white. Not easy.

Please tell me what I did wrong, what I got right, what I can improve on, etc. I would be infinitely thankful! :)
Also debating whether I should post some of my photos on Flickr. Idk, I think I need more practice before I do that.

ANYWAY, THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU TIMES A BILLION.

On a totally unrelated note, I'm catching up with Doctor Who and I'm almost done with season 3. I'm curious... what were your thoughts about Martha as the doctor's companion?

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE

2010-03-11T05:06:21Z

Let it be known that Muse is the best band in the whole fucking world. Ever.

MATT BELLAMY, MARRY ME!

Review: The Mortal Instruments Trilogy

2010-01-15T01:00:21Z

I've been meaning to write a review for The Mortal Instruments series for some days now, but the words wouldn't come. You know when you love something so much and you can't express your feelings the way you would otherwise? That's how I feel about those books.

First and foremost, thank you elliania for recommending these to me. I am forever indebted to you.

If any of you have read it, do tell me (if only to alleviate the crazy that built up in me). If you haven't and young adult fiction is of some interest to you, then do yourselves a favour and pick it up. I'm serious! It is action-packed, riveting and completely engaging. The author, who was once a popular LotR and HP fanfiction writer, knows exactly how to keep her plot interesting and original, her characters unique and relatable and a love story at once angst-ridden and heartfelt (I'm holding my breath because I don't want to reveal too much! lol)

Believe me, I had a hard time putting these books down. Even during the busiest of times, the only things on my mind were... OMG JACE. OMG CLARY. OMG SIMON...

So, yeah. Read them and report back to me. If you need more convincing, let me know ;)

The Author
Cassandra Clare. That name was so familiar to me when I first heard it. It wasn't until I was through with the second book that I found out she was once a BNF. And then it clicked! Anyway, I'm truly happy she now publishes her own novels, because... well, because she's good! As a writer and as a storyteller.

The Plot
I should've taken notes, because I'm pretty sure I've forgotten everything. In all seriousness, I thought the story was well-crafted. There was obviously a lot of thought, planning and research put into these novels, as should be, and one cannot be read without the other.

The Shadowhunter world is an enticing and fascinating one. And although vampires, werewolves, fairies, warlocks and demons are very much present in the series, it felt a little different from most stories told these days. It is fresh, vivid and brilliant! In many ways, it was very reminiscent of BtVS on occasion (which was lovely), but it was completely its own thing as well. I applaud Cassandra for recognizing and respecting quality storytelling.

The touchiest and most compelling plot-device for me were family relations. If I were capable of doing it, I would write a paper on this! Unfortunately, I'm not. In fact, I can't even find the words to explain how much I loved the plot. The fact that Valentine, the evil of all evils (well, no, but he's still pretty demonic), is Clary's father was kind of a bomb. And all the time we were lead to believe that Jace too was his son? That was such a cruel joke that was painful to read and what got me hooked at the same time. As to why I torture myself like that, I do not know!

The experiments that Valentine performed on Jace, Clary and Sebastien were maybe intended for good, but totally insane in nature! I thought this was amazing. What with Clary's ability to create new runes and Sebastien's complete lack of humanness, mind-blowing material right there! Reading about normal people is great and all, but people who are different, who are special, who have hero qualities, those make for a better story. Harry Potter, Buffy... y'all know what I'm saying. Another amazing thing about this series is how unpredictable it can sometimes be (except for Jace/Clary not being brother/sister. I totally called that!). Edge of my seat, people. Edge of my seat.

City of Bones was hilarious. The action on the boat in City of Ashes was epic and everything in City of Glass was spectacular. The scene with the angel, Ithuriel, was so tragic, but clarified so much. And everything after that was bloody brilliant that I'd need a dozen more paragraphs to cover it all.

Overall, the plot was great. If I had any prompts, I could probably elaborate some more, but I think this is sufficient. When people start reading these novels, I will gladly have lengthy conversations about them. I assure you that.

Jace and Clary
Mostly, my reaction to Jace and Clary is !!!!!!!!11!! followed by !!!!!!!!!@!!!!!!!11! I guess this summarizes my love for them, if you can call it that. It's hard to be eloquent when you're in fandom mode, which I can't seem to switch off.

When I first started City of Bones, I didn't particularly care too much about Clary. Then again, I never care about main characters. They kind of have to earn my love. And well, she did. Jace, on the other hand, was love at first sight. I was mesmorized and taken aback by his charm. And then the two of them were entirely too cute together. She couldn't get him off her mind, and he couldn't get her off his and it was all so very adorable.

Until they find out they are brother and sister and then their world (and mine) SHATTERS. I am not lying when I tell you that I just dropped the book when I first read that. I was in complete shock. "WTF WTF WTF" was the only coherent thought in my mind. So I'm reading City of Ashes, and I'm nervous and desperate and slowly dying. All the while, I'm so sure that Jace and Clary are NOT brother and sister. Because why the fuck would a writer do that to their readers!? I mean, unless you're Thomas Hardy and incest is kinky to you. Seriously though, I was 100% sure they weren't related, and although I enjoyed every single moment between Jace and Clary, I felt sick to my stomach because it was so wrong. Oh, so wrong. I tend to be very logic in the way I think, and still this was messed up. And yet, Jace/Clary = OTP 4 LIFE.

Too many heartbreaking scenes. At the Seelie court when the queen made them kiss. OMFG. At the Wayland estate when Jace realized he had demon blood in him. And at Amatis' house, when he wanted to spend the night with her. Too fucking sad. Ugh, this series is so angsty.

Basically, I absolutely love those two. Thank you so much, Cassandra, for writing such a wonderful story and bringing Jace and Clary into my life.

The Other Characters
I can't write this review without mentioning everyone else, because all the characters in these novels are well-developed and very lovable.
Simon: My precious little Simon, whom I adore above all, is the third wheel in this love story. I'm not worried about him though. If book IV is in fact about him, then I can't wait. He's too sweet, too funny and too good not to love.
Isabelle: Isabelle actually reminded me of Isabelle from Roswell (but with black hair). She can be a snob, but she's got quite a lovely personality. Loved her.
Alec: Oh, Alec. You brooding and sexy man. I loved the progress this character has made throughout the series. He showed real strength and was fearless when the time required it.
Luke: If he were anyone else, I'd tell him to stop sulking and just move on with his life. But it's Luke, and he's great. Love makes you do crazy things sometimes.
All the other characters were superb as well. Can't go through them all, sadly.

Memorable Quotes
There are too many, but here are a few funny ones I had taken note of while reading.

"The 'hey' thing that you guys always do. Like when you saw Jace and Alec, you said 'hey', and they said 'hey' back. What's wrong with 'hello'?"
She thought she saw a muscle twitch in his cheek. "'Hello' is girly," he informed her. "Real men are terse. Laconic."
"So the more manly you are, the less you say?"
"Right." Simon nodded. [...] "That's why when major badasses greet each other in movies, they don't say anything, they just nod. The nod means, 'I am badass, and I recognize that you, too, are a badass,' but they don't say anything because they're Wolverine and Magneto and it would mess up their vibe to explain."
City of Bones, p. 339-340

…Have you fallen in love with the wrong person yet?’
Jace said, “Unfortunately, Lady of the Haven, my one true love remains myself.”
“At least,” she said, “you don’t have to worry about rejection, Jace Wayland.”
“Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting."
City of Bones, p. 345

Isabelle looked dubious. "Mom and dad won't be pleased when they find out."
"That you freed a possible criminal by trading away your brother to a warlock who looks like a gay Sonic the Hedgehog and dresses like the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?" Simon inquired. "No, probably not."
City of Ashes, p. 150

"Simon!”
The voice was Clary’s. He would know it anywhere. He wondered if his mind was conjuring it up now, a sense memory of what he’d most loved during life to carry him through the process of death.
“Simon, you stupid idiot! I’m over here! At the window!”
Simon jumped to his feet. He doubted his mind would conjure that up."
City of Glass, p. 265

I love Simon and his run-on sentences. Jace has some pretty good lines too, but I had a harder time tracking them.

The Potential Movie
Although I'm not against the prospect of The Mortal Instruments being adapted to the big screen, it will kill me if it isn't done right. Because, unlike Twilight, I actually REALLY care about these novels and their characters and it would be totally disrespectful to the author if the movies are butchered. Now I now they've been auctioned off to Unique Features (the people behind the the LotR movies run this production company), so there's hope. I have faith that they won't ruin it, lol. As for casting, I visualize Alex Pettyfer as Jace and maybe Emma Roberts as Emma (haha, unlikely!), but I'm super flexible. Of course, Alex Pettyfer as Jace would be FANTASTIC.

I guess this pretty much sums it up. I hope I didn't overwhelm you or anything.

I need a new series to read. They're the only ones I can get absorbed in. Got any? Preferably sans vampires and werewolves. I think I need a break from those, lol. Or if there's a novel you think I'd like, let me know!

I love Twitter!

2009-06-05T21:31:11Z

hitrecordjoe: I just bet @rainnwilson $100 the Lakers make it to the Finals. Susser... I mean -- sucker...11:51 PM May 26th from TwitterFon
hitrecordjoe: @rainnwilson bet me $100 Lakers wouldn't make it to the finals. Tonight he left my winnings in my trailer. ~ http://twitpic.com/6kxwe 12:28 AM Jun 4th from TwitterFon

MASTERFUL.
Oh, hitrecordjoe = Joseph Gordon Levitt ;)

Please point me to any cool celebrity, tyvm.

And now I am off to read my flist!!!

I vow to do this someday.

2007-07-28T06:13:35Z

Man, I would kill for an opportunity like that. Kill.

I hope you're not bored of Harry Potter yet!

2007-07-27T05:27:46Z

Here's the review I promised. Better late than never, right? :P

It's extremely long. You've been warned! I've added some quotes and links to fan art for good measure. But yeah, only read this if you've got the time. Don't bother otherwise. LOL

As previously stated, I really loved the seventh book. I think JKR has written a wonderful last installment to the series, and the ending was nothing short of amazing. I thought the action was very fast-paced. So much was happening so fast. If my mind went wandering for a second, I’d miss something (hence why I decided to read it a second time). I am not at all complaining about the pace. Quite the contrary, I thought it was necessary to create thrill for the readers. It was also a bit of a challenge to read, in the sense that it came off looking like one big riddle. Which was great fun, if I may say so myself.

THE PLOT
I bloody loved the horcrux hunt. More specifically, I loved how they snatched the locket from Umbridge and everything that that locket represented: bringing out the worst in someone. That was a very interesting theme that led to a pretty dramatic exit *cough*Ron*cough*. Also, the acquiring of the cup at Gringotts was entirely too awesome. That chapter defined the magical world, from having Hermione impersonate Bellatrix, to Harry casting his first Imperius Curse, to the gold multiplying in the vault, to the dragon…GENIUS! Even later on with the diadem, and saving Draco and Goyle. If that wasn’t hardcore, I don’t know what is!

And then the Deathly Hallows themselves, which made the book all the more interesting. I quite enjoyed the story of the three Peverell brothers. I don’t know why, for some reason, it reminded me of Chaucer’s Pardoner’s Tale. Come to think of it, it really isn’t the same. Geez, I should get my literature straight! Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that it was a fun morale to include and each of the artifacts (the wand, the stone and the cloak) all produced different effects on Harry. I loved seeing James, Lily, Sirius and Lupin by his side as he was about to meet with Voldemort. That was a heartfelt moment.

“'You’ll stay with me?'
'Until the very end,' said James.
'They won’t be able to see you?' asked Harry.
'We are part of you,' said Sirius. 'Invisible to anyone else.'
Harry looked at his mother.
'Stay close to me,' he said quietly.” (The Forest Again, p.561)

I can’t think of any other way to sum it up. I’m still thinking it over as I write. Essentially, I thought it was very clever and an excellent conclusion to the series. I’ve seen a lot of people complain about how predictable the novel was. The thing is, no matter what JKR would’ve decided to do, it would’ve been predictable! If you read fanfiction or have done some speculation of your own, you’re bound to come across something. Besides, there were six books prior to this one. The clues are all there! So, predictable or not, this book was terrific. It had the right amount of everything.

THE TRIO
You know what? I really liked Harry! No, I loved him. And those who know me know that I've always voiced my general dislike for the character, which then became indifference, and now love. Lame, huh? See, as interesting as his stories were, I always thought he made things too personal. I should've realized a long time ago that it was, in fact, personal. Perhaps what caused this change of heart is because he was so selfless. He was the most consistent character in the series. Flawed (that temper, yo!), but still very much the same as ever: good-hearted.

Hermione has always amazed me as a character. I know that if it weren't for her, Harry wouldn't have gotten this far in his quest, at least not so quickly. Don't get me wrong, I think Harry is very bright, but Hermione often reflects on and researches things Harry would normally ignore. What I'm trying to say is that I love Hermione. I love her quick-thinking ability. I was left astounded at that trick she pulled at Mr Lovegood's house. I hurt so badly hearing her go through the Cruciatus curse. It killed me. JKR couldn't have created a better female lead.

Oh, Ron. Sometimes I think he's the main reason I love the series so much. In Deathly Hallows, my love for him skyrocketed, if that's even possible. JKR has always been very delicate in her portrayal of the youngest Weasley boy, his personality often reflecting his insecurities. I think this book really showcases how much he's grown as a character. I think we can all agree that he has matured, and yet he's still intimidated by Viktor Krum or Harry's position in the trio. It's obvious he's done a lot of effort. He showed more sympathy, more courage and more of himself in this book than ever before and I'm just sooo so proud of him!

Their friendship is so solid. I can’t ever imagine it falling apart. They’ve been through thick and thin, and it was only right to attribute so much importance to the trio in this last book. I think this is what JKR was aiming for, touching on loyalty and love and remorse… all of which have to do with friendship. Their bond is untouchable and it is together that they defeated the Dark Lord, whether one would like to acknowledge that or not.

“‘He knew what he was doing when he gave me the Deluminator, didn’t he? He -- well,’ Ron’s ears turned bright red and he became engrossed in a tuft of grass at his feet, which he prodded with his toe, ‘he must’ve known I’d run out on you.’
‘No,’ Harry corrected him. ‘He must’ve known you’d always want to come back.’” (Xenophilius Lovegood, p.317)

GOOD VS EVIL (DUMBLEDORE AND VOLDEMORT)
Correct me if I’m wrong, but is Dumbledore not more present when he’s dead than when he’s alive? Because that’s definitely the impression I get! Anyway, it was quite refreshing to read up on Dumbledore’s history as we did for Voldemort in HBP. It’s always good to have some back-story to support a plot line. In this case, I was a little like Harry, never knowing what to think. My gut always told me that Dumbledore was good and his past would not change that. So when Doge told Harry to “Let nothing tarnish [his] memories of Albus Dumbledore!” (The Wedding, p.127), I knew. The King’s Cross chapter took me by surprise, but it couldn’t have been more perfect.

How vulnerable was Voldemort? I really thought he was weak and unintelligent. Sure, he was scary, but I did not think he was powerful at all, especially seeing at how easily Harry was able to outwit him. If anything, most of the trio’s misfortune didn’t really involve the Dark Lord. He’s good at casting illegal spells, but he’s not exactly the brightest. How did he never pick up that Harry was seeing through his mind? I really thought he would, after some time. But yeah, in the end, he knew and understood nothing. Not about Harry being a horcrux, not about the magic behind the Elder Wand, nada! I guess a lot of it has to do with how much he feared Dumbledore. And since most of what Harry knows is from the former headmaster himself, it makes sense that Voldy would be in the dark about it all. But wow. Classic! That last scene was mind-blowing!

“‘And his knowledge remained woefully incomplete, Harry! That which Voldemort does not value, he takes no trouble to comprehend. Of house-elves and children’s tales, of love, loyalty, and innocence, Voldemort knows and understands nothing. Nothing . That they all have a power beyond his own, a power beyond the reach of any magic, is a truth he has never grasped.’” (King’s Cross, p.568)

SEVERUS SNAPE (AND LILY EVANS)
Ah, Snape! The complexity that is his character. Well, no shock there ;) My prediction about Snape being one of the good guys turned out to be true. But gosh, I was floored at how awesome he turned out to be! I didn’t suspect the doe to be his patronus when it should’ve been obvious to me. That thought never even crossed my mind until the very end. I’m curious though, has there ever been a mention in the previous books about Lily’s patronus? Harry seemed to know about it, but I don’t remember reading it anywhere.

Anyway, I’ve always been under the impression that Snape had a bit of a crush on Lily (and who wouldn’t? She’s the sweetest!). I just never expected it to be love, let alone love so grand that he’d change sides. The pleading scene with Dumbledore was so intense that I couldn’t help but shed a few tears for the bloke. Not to mention all those scenes retelling his friendship with Lily. Damn, was I heartbroken or what! He loved her so much. Perhaps too much. And he made a commitment that no ordinary person, imho, would ever be able to make. And he stuck by it. Every last bit of it. Although he’s always appeared to be a jerk (especially to Harry), his devotion to protecting Lily’s child is like no other. That was some sacrifice, let me tell you. And having him die like that, at the bite of Nagini… well it was hard to take. I was overwhelmed, both with compassion and sadness. As far as I’m concerned, there’d be no Harry Potter if there were no Snape. I’m just really happy how it all unfolded. It was a beautiful story.

“'I have spied for you and lied for you, put myself in mortal danger for you. Everything was supposed to be to keep Lily Potter’s son safe. Now you tell me you have been raising him like a pig for slaughter –'
'But this is touching, Severus,' said Dumbledore seriously. 'Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?'
“For him?“ shouted Snape. 'Expecto Patronum!'
From the tip of his wand burst the silver doe. She landed on the office floor, bounded once across the office, and soared out of the window. Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.
'After all this time?'
'Always,' said Snape.” (The Prince’s Tale, p.551)

NOT-SO-MAJOR CHARACTERS
Kreacher was simply too adorable! I love how he made Sirius look like a bad guy. That was cute. Dumbledore has always said that an elf’s attitude is usually inflicted by his owner and Sirius was never nice to the poor thing. So yeah, I thought it was sweet how he dramatically changed into the happiest servant. Very much like Dobby, I thought. And he was generally a fun character to read.

“'Call ‘im off, call ‘im off, ‘e should be locked up!' screamed Mundungus, cowering as Kreacher raised the heavy-bottomed pan again.
'Kreacher, no!' shouted Harry.
Kreacher’s thin arms trembled with the weight of the pan, still held aloft.
'Perhaps just one more, Master Harry, for luck?'
Ron laughed.” (The Bribe, p.182)

Now, Regulus? He took me by surpriiiiiise! Like most of you, I connected R.A.B. to him. That much was obvious. But he turned to be someone so contrary to what we were led to believe previously. I mean, we all thought Sirius was the only good person in the Black family. But geez, I really really like him now. Too bad we know so little about him, just that he had a good heart. Oh, well.

Aberforth! Man, I wish this guy was around longer. I saw so much of Dumbledore in him. Just different. I loved his hostility towards the Death Eaters. Well played, dude!

Then there’s Neville. I don’t really know where to begin with Neville. ‘Amazing’ doesn’t even cover it. Like Ron, Neville’s grown quite a lot since the first book. He’s shown bravery since book five, but I loved how he took charge this time around. He led a new Dumbledore’s Army. He had so much faith in Harry that he did all in his power to help. It is so true to his character. I always knew he had the potential to show his true Gryffindor colours. And hey, did he not kill the snake? Neville, baby, you are my hero!

And then Dudley! And Narcissa! And Percy! And a million others, really...

DEATHS
I’ll keep this short. I was obviously pained by all the deaths in this book. I think I got most emotional at Dobby’s death, possibly because of the aftermath: Harry digging up the grave himself (that fucking broke me). It was just really sad. I was also in tears when Fred died. The twins mean so much to me, so that was rough. And then, of course, Snape.

EPILOGUE
Ahaha, I know everyone's going berserk over those last few pages! Ok, so the truth is, I had no problem with was written in the epilogue (especially with the newly released info). It was cute and corny and whatever. It’s a happy ending, so what gives?!!! My only issue is that I honestly HATE epilogues, generally-speaking. I personally think they spoil an otherwise good ending. And for a series as amazing as Harry Potter, this book could’ve done without it. But hey, whatever. I’m not complaining :P Oh and, has anyone figured out why JKR chose nineteen years? As opposed to something like… oh, I don’t know… TWENTY? lol

“'Don’t forget to give Neville our love!' Ginny told James as she hugged him.
'Mum! I can’t give a professor love!'
'But you know Neville--'
James rolled his eyes.
'Outside, yeah, but at school he’s Professor Longbottom, isn’t he? I can’t walk into Herbology and give him love….'” (Nineteen Years Later, p.606)

RON AND HERMIONE
I really struggle to put my feelings for this couple into words, at least words that would make some sense. It’s so obvious JKR loved R/Hr because the unfolding of that relationship throughout the entire series, and particularly in DH, couldn’t have been any more perfect! See, it took seven years to make it happen, so naturally their get-together would be handled with such care. The thing is, as I read the book, it felt as though they were already together, just not quite. I used to joke about how I wanted JKR to write an entire chapter on R/Hr, because that would be the right thing to do (ahaha, right!), but I knew that wasn’t realistic. This is, after all, Harry’s story.

But moments? There were PLENTY! And those moments spoke louder than any of their scenes before! The fact alone that Ron read a book about girls, because he was genuinely interested in winning Hermione’s heart and how that has changed his attitude. Was that not awesome? And the jealousy bit at the wedding, with Viktor. And Harry (as Barny Weasley) stating that they were “sort-of” together. Are those not cute moments? But here’s the thing, those are nothing compared to what we witness later on. Ron shows kindness and is always quick to come to Hermione’s comfort, many times pulling her into a hug. Not because this is some competition, but because he truly likes her. When he put up that bed for her in Grimmauld Place, I thought that was particularly sweet, especially coming from Ron, who is very often not sweet. The suggestion that they may have slept holding hands… Are you kidding? This wasn’t just cute, it was really touching.

Another striking event in the R/Hr relationship was when Ron, under the locket’s influence, voiced his anger and stormed out of the tent, leaving Hermione in tears for days and days. Perhaps even more striking was his return (which came as no shock to me, mind you!). It was so in-character that Hermione would punch the crap out of him when she saw him again. And it wasn’t only because she was angry at what he’d done, but also because his absence really affected her. Is it not obvious already? They are constantly thinking and worrying about one another.

What did it for me though is the episode at Malfoy Manor. It was fucking painful hearing Hermione go through the Cruciatus curse, but even more so hearing Ron yelling her name the number of times he did. It was hard for me, and it must’ve been hell for him, because he loves her. He's completely mad about her. I know I’d be doing the same thing if someone I loved that much were going through something as ruthless as the Cruciatus curse. I cried during that scene. It hurt so badly, but this solidified my ship.

And then everything after that… I don’t know. I’m too consumed by how awesome JKR is to think clearly anymore. The kiss was simply great! I think, for Harry to have witnessed it, it was nicely done. I suspect it wasn’t even their first, but that’s for fanfic writers to explore ;) But yeah, it was quite endearing seeing Hermione so happy and proud of Ron. It was as though she couldn’t help it anymore and just dived in. It worked well for their characters. I think anything else would’ve been a total screw-up.

“Hermione put the vanquished Horcrux into the beaded bag, then climbed back into her bed and settled down without another word.
Ron passed Harry the new wand. 'About the best you could hope four, I think,' murmured Harry.
'Yeah,' said Ron. 'Could’ve been worse. Remember those birds she set on me?'
'I still haven’t ruled it out,” came Hermione’s muffled voice from beneath her blankets, but Harry saw Ron smiling slightly as he pulled his maroon pajamas out of his rucksack.” (The Silver Doe, p.314)

Basically, I can’t tell you how much I love this couple, especially right now. I’m so pleased with how this book was written and I’m not sad that the series has ended. It ended well, and that’s good enough for me. I could talk a lot more about it, but I think that’ll do for today. Don’t hesitate to ask me anything though. I’m still very hyped about it all and I doubt it’s going to fade anytime soon.

Eeep. That was long.

Finally, the HP books in my order of preference: DH, GoF, OotP, PoA, PS, CoS and HBP. I break the mold, don’t I? ;)
So what’s yours?

Will someone fetch me some HP icons please?

2007-07-22T10:09:03Z

It's morning. I hear birds chirping. My stomach's growling. I don't know what on Earth I'm doing online at this hour. But I finished the book, and felt the urging need to come here for comfort, maybe? Maybe because that's it. That's how it ends.

I read the novel with a pencil in hand, circling page numbers and drawing arrows at every needed occasion. I really took my time reading it, partly because my sister and I sort of spoiled ourselves. The truth is, we feared sooooo much for Ron and his fate. On our way back home, it was all we could think of: how Ron was most probably going to die. So my sister glanced over the last paragraph only to find his name written, in dialogue. And you wouldn't believe the anxiety it lifted from me, because I was able to read the book without constant worry and truly grasp what was going on, as opposed to skipping lines in effort to get an answer quick. So no, I don't regret doing it at all.

But basically,

I loved it. Plain and simple.
Possibly my favorite book.
It just... it delivered.
It didn't fall short.

I'm going to write a more intelligent review when I'm not fighting to stay awake. But right now, I'm just happy (and a little overwhelmed) at the turnout of the book. Snape, Dobby, page 502!</div>

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

2007-07-13T01:10:29Z

lol stfu

DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE!!111

I just gushed my heart out, I swear. I just spent like an hour dissecting it with my sister. Mostly we squeed, but let me tell you that we were both EXTREMELY impressed.

SERIOUSLY, HOW AWESOME WAS THIS ADAPTATION!?!?

I've learned quite some time ago to separate the movies from the books. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME. DEAL WITH IT! So although I knew the entire plot line, it was still exciting to be seeing those scenes play out in front of me. So what if they're not completely accurate? You try adapting 800 pages into a 2-hour movie and then maybe you'll understand (this is totally not the film major in me speaking, lol). But yes, this movie was AMAZING! Not just visually, but because it was much more canon than the previous four installments.

First of all, the casting for this film was effing brilliant! Tonks, Umbridge, Bellatrix, Luna, KINGSLEY (lol!)... All clever choices. They really did the characters justice. Heck, even Grawp was a pleasant surprise. And that scene altogether had me in a stance, but more on that later ;)

I saw the movie with Amélie and we both agreed that the movie went by so fast, but can you really blame the writers? At least we got the gist of the plot, which is saying a lot, considering the thickness of this novel. Yes, maybe Sirius' death was a bit too sudden (but it was like that in the book too), and maybe that final scene with Dumbledore wasn't as big of a deal in the movie... It still captured the moment. You just had to pay attention or you'd miss it.

I loved how so many lines were taken STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOOK. That was bloody brilliant. It's crazy how I was able to recognize like 70% of them, and I haven't read the book in THREE YEARS! Proof that Harry Potter really sticks to you. Really, it's that good.

Although they've omitted parts or modified them, I think it worked rather well overall. I was a little peeved that Cho had to be the sneak (I was looking forward to seeing Marietta's forehead, actually), but I totally understand why they did it. Not only did they lack time in introducing Marietta, but it was also a subtle hint that Cho really isn't that important on the long run. I also really loved the fact that the trio were always together, even though it wasn't exactly like that in the book. They really showcased on their love/friendship which was great buildup for the final battle.

So maybe we didn't get to see Ron and Hermione as prefects or Ron playing quidditch and hearing "Weasley is our King", but we got a lot to replace it with. I mean, are you fucking serious!? This movie was about R/Hr just as much as it was about Harry! And like.... gahhhhhhhhhh I can't contain my happiness right now! I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GIDDY! Yes anyway, that scene at the fireplace with them laughing. And the homework bit where Ron he's tell she "the most wonderful person [he's] ever met" and WITH GRAWP!!! OMG WITH GRAWP!! Micheal Goldenberg, you are a GOD! As are you, mister Yates! I AM SO GLAD YOU'RE DIRECTING AGAIN. But like.......... I don't even know what to say. All their scenes, they were perfect.

And Ron standing up to Harry in the dormitory. I LOVE YOU RON.

Wow. Just wow. The minor characters, though I would've liked to see more of them speak at least once, were there in all their shining glory. Am I making sense!? My love for Ron and Hermione is killing my brain, as you can see.

I need to see this movie again. Like now.</div>

You gotta pimp this baby crazy!

2007-04-30T20:08:33Z

Today, I finished my second year in university. This calls for a celebration! So... MEME TIME :D

The LOVE-MY-ICONS-PLZTHX Meme

Fellow iconmakers! Don't you often make icons that you're really proud of, but don't think they get the appreciation they deserve? If so, this is the place to showcase a few of these little beauties. Basically...

1. Post 12 icons you made that you think need some warm and fuzzy lovin'.
2. Go to your journal and link your thread so your friends and fans can come over and tell you which ones are their personal faves (or you know, just tell you how much they love your work).
3. Return the favor. Also note that there are several non-mainstream iconmakers out there, so be the cool person that you are and leave them nice comments, so they could feel all warm and fuzzy too! Got it?

We can make the world a better place, one comment at a time. Srsly.

This is shameless self-promotion so be a doll and PIMP THIS SHIT!! lol ♥
Ps. If you don't make icons, you're still very welcome/encouraged to participate :)

You know how it is, cigarettes and sex.

2007-03-22T04:49:12Z

It seems like forever ago since I made a picspam, at least one that required actual research and ~effort~. LOL So this is possibly the wackiest thing you've ever heard of, but surely you've gotten used to my weird and spontaneous nature.

I've gathered up several magazine/photoshoot pictures of celebrities smoking (or with a cigarette in their hand). I always thought those pictures were sexy! And I'm sure you will too ;) You'll also see a pattern among these pictures. There's no real purpose to this post, but it's an excuse to post pretty pictures! :P

>>>>> Angelina Jolie <<<<<

That first picture is the most colorful of the bunch! You'll notice most are b/w or have a very neutral tone.

>>>>> Brad Pitt <<<<<

Random, but I always thought he looked like David Beckham. But David is hotter sry2say.

>>>>> Charlize Theron <<<<<

>>>>> Colin Farrell <<<<<

>>>>> Diego Luna <<<<<

He had so many pretty smoking pictures, but they were all too small for my picspam ;_;

>>>>> Drew Barrymore <<<<<

To be fair, these were taken in her rebellious time. Now's she's the sweet-all-the-time kinda girl!

>>>>> Ewan McGregor <<<<<

I LOVE YOU LONG TIME.

>>>>> Gaspard Ulliel <<<<<

I have no words, really.

>>>>> Gerard Butler <<<<<

>>>>> Joaquin Phoenix <<<<<

>>>>> Johnny Depp <<<<<

You wouldn't imagine the number of pictures I found of Johnny's! Actually, most of his pics involve a cigarette! lol

>>>>> Jonathan Rhys-Meyer <<<<<

>>>>> Joseph Gordon-Levitt <<<<<

>>>>> Josh Hartnett <<<<<

I still think he's fucking sexy.

>>>>> Marilyn Monroe <<<<<

Yes, even the queen herself! She's gorgeous though.

>>>>> Monica Bellucci <<<<<

>>>>> Orlando Bloom <<<<<

>>>>> Ryan Gosling <<<<<

That second pic kills me EVERY TIME.

>>>>> Steven Strait <<<<<

LKJASLKJLA I SORT OF LIKE LOVE HIM RIGHT NOW. MOVE AWAY TACHA!!!1 And would you believe he turns 21 tomorrow?!!?
The fucker is younger than me BY A MONTH! ARRRRRRRRR

>>>>> Leo Dicaprio and Stuart Townsend <<<<<

They were too pretty to pass up.

So tell me, have you made any observations of your own? And which picture do you like most/least? And will you tell all your friends that I'm awesome so they can come see this post themselves?! Ah yay! Ya'll are awesome ;) Hope you enjoyed the eye-candy!

Oh, and if you know/have any other pictures, SHARE PLZ :D

Icon Post: Multi-Fandom [30]

2007-03-18T06:55:50Z

I am guilty as charged. I just made 30 icons in one sitting! A memorable moment in history, I dare say :P Anyways, if it weren't for those few requests I had gotten, I wouldn't have done anything, so THANKS GUYS :D

06. Moulin Rouge
06. The Black Donnellys
06. Steven Strait
04. Heroes
02. Dark Angel
06. Jessica Alba

Teaser:

*ALL ICONS ARE SHAREABLE*

Moulin Rouge
These are overdue, but you should know MR caps are impossible to icon! Whoosh.
Requested by labybanteerin
01 02 03 04 05 06

The Black Donnellys
Requested by dorkamatronic
07 08 09 10 11 12

Steven Strait
Requested by natacha92 (babe, let me know if you want "Jacob" written on any of them) ;)
13 14 15 16 17 18

Heroes, Dark Angel, Jessica Alba
Requested by another_random (I owe you sooo much more, I know!)
19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30

Images: All over the place. Let me know if you need help finding something.
Textures: 7,12,23 - art_dynamite / 6, 28 - 77words

*Comments not necessary, but are always appreciated. Please credit :)

Icon Post: Kaká, Zac Efron and Gaspard Ulliel (16)

2007-02-28T17:57:36Z

Mmyeah, small icon post. I originally intended on making Moulin Rouge and Heroes icons, but I haven't found the time. You'd be surprised by how long it takes me to create these little buggers. Anyways, a lot of these *cough*Gaspard*cough* have been made since last week and I've been itching to post them, so there :)

Teaser:

But I cannot forget, refuse to regret, so glad I met you.

1,2,3,4
5,6,7,8
9,10,11,12
13,14,15,16

01-04 Kaká; 05-08 Zac Efron; 09-10 Hairspray; 11-16 Gaspard Ulliel

Textures by art_dynamite and 77words :)
Please credit. Comments are very much appreciated.

"As long as it takes me to smile" XD

2007-02-28T15:47:21Z

I declare Sleep my worst enemy. That being said, I feel like I woke up after a bloody war and my hair looks like it's been used as a rag. Explain that to me o_O

In far more important news, I named my phone Veronica. I figured she might come in handy while I'm out and about. And just think of all the wicked things I could do with bluetooth ;)))

Linking & Pimping (because sharing is caring, lolol)
&& I want you all to see ana_br's latest vid: Doctor/Rose. It is so r0xie!
&& You've all probably seen this 100x already, but another viewing won't hurt ;) Chris Lowell and Kristen Bell candid interview. They are hilarious!
&& Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? ;_; Miloooooooooooo
&& Buffy's back! Well, in comic book form :D

lalalaaaaaaaa

ETA: It's been a month since we started the Heroes Discussion Thread on Gmail, and it's been going rather well. This is an open invitation if you'd still like to join :)

Happy Valentine's Day :)

2007-02-14T07:25:20Z

"I was thinking," said the little girl as she busied her fingers picking at the grass beneath her, "that saying 'I love you' has become so insignificant, so ordinary."
Her three friends simply sat there, gazing at her, hoping she would proceed with her thought.
"I can tell a stranger I love him," she goes on to explain, "if he, um, gave me tickets to a show for instance."
"But why would a stranger give you tickets?" chimed the youngest of the bunch as she gently pulled out the last petal off a lily.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe he has other plans or something. It's not important." She paused for a while, carefully thinking of a way to express herself.
"The point is," she finally let out, "that I don't really love that stranger. 'I love you' is supposed to mean more than that. Much more. It's supposed to mean 'how dull my life would be without you' or 'I wouldn't be myself had it not been for you' or..." she trailed off, justifying her answer with the numerous definitions she could think of.
The children all sat bewildered. 'What was she on about?', they must have wondered, 'how odd of her to speak so passionately about anything, let alone about love.'
"It's supposed to be unconditional," she went on, "love is to smile from the bottom of the heart."
She lowered her head, smiled timidly to herself and allowed a lock of hair to slide just beside her eye. She knew she was being vague, but it didn't matter.
"What I'm trying to say is," she looked up again, "I love you lot."

♥♥♥