Please pray

Please pray for a friend of mine, Jason, who died yesterday. He was 20 years old and a truly beautiful person...I can't say more than that right now. But prayers for him, his family, and all his friends are so much appreciated.

Haven't ya got any pride?

Well, went and saw the new Pride & Prejudice today. I'm still smarting from the experience. I thought there had been some abominable productions of Jane Austen in the past, but this surely took the prize. Where to begin? What to say?

First, when doing a period piece, it's generally a good idea to at least look like you've done some research into the time period. That would involve having main characters, whose initials are Elizabeth Bennett, wear a corset, at least. We all saw her in Pirates of the Caribbean, we know she can wear one (and a period one too, please). And a full grown young lady wearing her hair down in public? What on earth were they thinking? Half the costumes were over a half-century out of date (Mrs. Bennett was wearing what looked like an early to mid 18th century polonnaise). I won't even mention the lack of chemisettes on the day dresses, or Miss Bingley's sleeveless ball gown. The clothes looked so badly sewn, so poorly fitted, so wrong in style and material -- half of Lizzy's gowns had a waistband almost at the natural waist, and they persisted in dressing her in a men's style coat. None of the girls looked like a brush ever touched their hair, except for one or two formal outtings.

But these are only the minor details...minor details, however, that can make or break a period film. What was with the the Bennett household? Was I going blind or was there a scene where Mr. Bennett was walking a pig through his house? The whole place looked run down, shabby, filthy, and coarse. Even the first assembly ball looked like it took place in a barn -- and the attendees acted like it did.

Even so, these flaws might have been overlooked, given superb acting, realistic dialogue, and satisfactory casting....but again, the movie flopped in all three areas. Superb acting? Keira Knightley seemed content to pout and bat her eyes under the mass of tangled bangs, and occassionally burst into a ridiculous grin or pointless fit of giggles. Darcy was possibly the only tolerable character, though he didn't look the part at all. Lady Catherine was tolerable as well, in the 2 minutes of screen time they gave her. Jane was passable, but Lydia and Kitty were more like hysterical pre-teen Grobanites (no offense, Josh fans) than anything.

Dialogue? Lines lifted directly from the earlier movies and from the book were misplaced, squished together, so poorly delivered, and surrounded by dumbed-down, modernish lines that they were utterly unbelievable. There were some scenes that were completely laughable and out of place in a Regency piece, and of course they had to throw in impropriety in Mr. Collins (and work in nudity somehow, with the art and statuary). Casting...what on earth were they thinking when they cast Bingley? O.o I nearly jumped out of my seat the first time he came on screen, and couldn't stop giggling every time afterwards. What a ridiculous looking creature, with his 4 inch hairdo and all, and absolutely foolish with his bumbling talk and gulping swallows at every moment. What a complete moron.

But perhaps the most aggravating thing was the utter lack of dignity and propriety in the film. People bursting in on other people at all hours of the night, or in whatever condition -- Bingley popping in on a nightgown-clad Jane? Unthinkable. Lady Catherine intruding on someone's house in the middle of the night? Right. *rolls eyes* Lizzy came across as this Bohemian shabby-chic country bumpkin with no accomplishment whatsoever, and all her family seemed reduced to uncultured impropriety and poverty. And then there was so much dwelling on environments (why did it have to be pouring at every "dramatic" moment? And why did Lizzy feel obligated to always go running through it?), with artsy screen techniques to show time passing...that only made the viewer all too aware of his time passing...my only thought was, if they could afford that much time to showing ducks swimming or a room darkening while our heroine stands practically comatose in front of a mirror, why could they not use it to flesh out the characters or improve the dialogue?

Well, what to say in conclusion? If you enjoy movies that feel like they're on speed for half, and on opiates for the other half, or that have ridiculous and inconsistent dialogue, that show no research or thoughtfulness whatsoever, with only the occassional pretty face, that don't even deserve the designation "inspired by the novel...", that end in the most pathetically stupid way, that are so chopped and reduced that they almost lack both plot and character, and whose only redeeming quality is pretty scenery...then this film is for you. I found it a disappointment, and a waste both of my time and money. The best thing about it was the company I had -- we had a delightful time commenting on it during the showing, and were in fits as we left the theater. If I had to sum it up in a word: Ridiculous.

Devastation

To the people of New Orleans, Gulfport, Biloxi, and the entire Gulf Coast region...my thoughts and prayers are with you.

This whole event has been such a curious thing. The power of the hurricane and its aftermath are almost beyond belief. Looking at the pictures of these regions, it's almost as overwhelming as watching the attacks of 9-11 unfold. In some ways, 9-11 was worse...it was a terrorist attack, man against man, the sort of violent assault we'd never seen on our own soil. In some ways, Katrina is more difficult to bear...a natural disaster, proving once again that for all our technological advances and knowledge, there is nothing we can do in the face of nature's full power. And the area of destruction, and the human suffering that followed...surpasses comprehension. I look at these pictures, these videos, and all I feel is a sort of numb disbelief...

But disbelief quickly turns to anger. I'm not angry at the National Guard, or FEMA, or the Red Cross, or the government... I'm angry with the people who are shooting, raping, looting, and who were preventing these people from doing their jobs. I'm angry with the people who are angry at our troops, emergency responders, and disaster relief workers. I'm even angry with the mayor of New Orleans, though I can to some extent understand his utter frustration.

But really...these people who are still in New Orleans...they had just as much warning as the people who got out. Even if they didn't have a ready mode of transportation, most of them have working legs. I'm sure most of them had a buck or two to spare for a bus fare. I'm sure they had means of getting to a grocery store or to work. I've walked 72 miles in three days, I know it can be done. But the mayor...where was his police force? When the hurricane passed and the streets were dry, neither he nor any of his people did a thing about getting the rest of the people evacuated. The police were entirely incapable of enforcing the law. They stood there watching looters, and did nothing. And he yells at the National Guard for arriving so late on the scene? If local law enforcement had done their job...if they had enforced the mandatory evacuation, this situation would not exist right now.

People in third world countries live out their lives in conditions worse than these. Yes, it's horrific, nightmarish, overwhelming. Yes, it's a tragedy that people in our country should be subjected to such suffering. Yes, it's heartbreaking, seeing all the good people, the really good people of New Orleans suffering so much loss, uncertainty, and pain. And most of the people are truly grateful for the help that is being brought in. And there are some uplifting and amazing stories that really show the heroic and noble heights humanity can reach.

But the people who are yelling at our responders -- military, medical, etc. -- should realize that they all made choices, and that no one, not the government, not the National Guardsman down the block, controlled those choices. And for all they say that they aren't glad to see our heroic men and women in uniform right now, I don't see them passing up the food and water they brought. What's the gratitude of that? These rescuers are putting their own lives on the line to help them, and this is the answer they get? That is what angers me. It's shameful.

I extend my own gratitude to these dedicated people, to make up in some way for the ingratitude they are shown by some. Our country is resilient, it will recover. Our people are resilient, they will endure. I beg anyone who is capable of it to donate money to a disaster relief fund, or if there is a drive in your area collecting food, clothing, medical supplies, or whatever, please do take part. Part of the strength of this country is the humanity and good will of our people -- of the vast majority of our people...and it is this which will get us through this devastating situation now.

Publishers Wanted

Wanted: Publishers willing to make money on young, up-and-coming writer. Must be willing to take advantage of the current literary market, which by all appearances is devouring fantasy and good young adult literature.

j/k

But seriously...*sigh* The worst part about writing is finishing. I just finished my latest book, the young adult fantasy/contemporary novel, and now have the joy of agent-shopping to look forward to. *dramatic angst* It seems like all the agents who are interested in your genre don't like new writers, or they aren't accepting submissions, or it takes them ages and ages to reply and when they finally do, it's a rejection letter. If only you could market your book to agents the same way you can market it to the public when it's published...then maybe you could get somewhere.

Well, such is the life. And of course there are myriads of reasons why it is the way it is...but it never seems just when you're on the receiving end. ;)

Inner European...

Hehe, oh so true...

Your Inner European is Russian!

Mysterious and exotic. You've got a great balance of danger and allure.

Who's Your Inner European?

Game On!

Take heart, hockey fans! The NHL and NHLPA have come to an "agreement in principal"...finally! *dramatic eye-rolling commences* Wish they'd just done this in the first place instead of risking an already frail fan-base with their pig-headedness. *sigh* But that's ok, I forgive them...on the condition that the Dallas Stars win the Stanley Cup this year. O:) Gosh, it'll just be good to see hockey again! I've had to be content with "Miracle" and amateur league games this last season...doesn't quite cut it! But see, I knew they would come to an agreement because, well, I'm going back to university this fall. I've never been in when there wasn't hockey, ergo, there must be hockey this season. ;-) How admirably things turn out!

I really should...

I know I ought to post to this more often. I had every manner of grand plan when I began this thing...essays I would write, poems, musings, recollections...and here I am, four months later, with only a few posts to show for it. Not a single poem to be found. I did write a short piece yesterday which I'd consider sharing...but I'm going to try to get it published instead.

Speaking of writing...I've finally gotten over a bit of my writer's block. Oh, I haven't written much on the stories themselves, but the background information! It's like when I get sewer's block (*cough* yes, there is such a thing...), and I go back to researching and drafting patterns. It's one of my favorite parts of sewing, and eventually I'll get the urge to actually use one of the designs. Just so with writing. The background research and stories are often as exciting to study as the main story itself...and sooner or later I do stumble on some interesting fact that inspires me to tackle the story again.

And speaking of sewing, I've begun work on the Civil War chemise. The drawers are done, and surprisingly comfortable they are! They're made of muslin and entirely handsewn, as the rest of the ensemble will be too. But my progress has been halted, because we decided to put in a new flooring in the sewing room. It had a nasty, black and white tile pattern...*shudder* It was the ugliest room in the house. Now, with fresh-painted yellow walls, cheerful curtains and the new parkay flooring, it's one of the most beautiful. But wow, it's hard work. O.o

Oh, if I didn't mention it before, I will be studying Politics in grad school. It's not like political science (*smirk*), but more political philosophy. Actually, that's my concentration. I'll be studying philosophy and literature as well, which is one of the most thrilling things about the IPS. Speaking of which, I need to figure out my schedule for the fall...*ponders* I just can't wait to buy my books! I already need a new bookcase...joy! There's nothing quite like stacks of books on the floor because there's no shelf space for them. ;)