Ok, so I finished the book Walden (by Henry David Thoreau) a couple of days ago (just in time for my book club meeting), and I was intending to post, but I never got around to it. So, here's my thoughts on Walden:
I didn't like the first chapter. First of all, I didn't agree with Thoreau. He's opinionated. He's critical. He seems to think that everybody will all be like him when they "live up to their potential". He wants everyone to go live in the woods and not interact with each other much. Second of all, the chapter was 60. Pages. Long. I couldn't believe I'd have to read this thing in time for the book club, which was in the end of February (I started late too).
But...once I got past the first couple of chapters, I noticed something weird was happening: it was starting to grow on me. Once Thoreau was done being opinionated he started to actually describe his life in the woods near Walden Pond. I liked his descriptions of nature, especially when they were less descriptions and more like anecdotes (Thoreau chasing a loon on the pond, an epic ant battle). I even started to agree with him on some points.
So, by the end...I liked it. I didn't love it, but I liked it. I can see how it's a classic. It's sort of unique too (I think...I'm not really familiar with this genre).
I don't regret reading it...if only for the bragging rights. ;)
The next book we're reading is "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. Fiction and sci-fi! Woohoo! Maybe I'll post a "my thoughts" on that as well.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Skiing
I went skiing yesterday. It was a really nice day...not cold, but not so warm that the snow melted and got all slushy.
Some interesting things that happened:
1. When I was going up the chairlift I saw somebody had written "please 33" on the seat. I have yet to google it. I wonder what it means.
2. I talked to a friendly ski lift attendant that was reading Kurt Vonnegut's Hocus Pocus. Yay for literary lift attendants!
I noticed that when you're skiing on your own you (or at least I) notice stuff more...you pay more attention to surroundings. The ski lifts feel slower, even. I guess that makes sense.
So yeah. I'm going skating tomorrow...if anything interesting happens, I'll report. Bye!
Some interesting things that happened:
1. When I was going up the chairlift I saw somebody had written "please 33" on the seat. I have yet to google it. I wonder what it means.
2. I talked to a friendly ski lift attendant that was reading Kurt Vonnegut's Hocus Pocus. Yay for literary lift attendants!
I noticed that when you're skiing on your own you (or at least I) notice stuff more...you pay more attention to surroundings. The ski lifts feel slower, even. I guess that makes sense.
So yeah. I'm going skating tomorrow...if anything interesting happens, I'll report. Bye!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Epic bookshelf quest - continued
Oh yeah, and here are two cool bookshelf pictures I found while wandering around. They could be quite fitting for some people (not me, though).
My epic quest for the perfect bookshelf pic
Ok, so a little while ago my friend Dorothy from A Brick Short of a Load (link in my sidebar) posted a picture of her laptop skin:
(I actually found that picture off the web...you can see a close-up of it if you go to Dorothy's blog)
I think it's the most awesome laptop skin ever, and I think it really fits her personality. So that got me thinking, "So what would be the perfect bookshelf pic for me?"
And thus began my quest.
Last night I started by searching "bookshelf" on Google Images. Better to start vague, I guess? That gave me a lot of photos of (surprise!) people's bookshelves. They were very average bookshelves, though, and not very characteristic of anybody (unless you start reading the titles, but that wasn't what I was looking for).
So I decided I need to figure out what kind of picture I wanted anyway. Well, I wanted something like the above pic, but maybe a little neater (to fit my personality), but preferably kind of surreal. So I searched "surreal bookshelf". Ok, that was better... there were some cool ones...but it still wasn't quite what I needed.
"Fantasy bookshelf", perhaps?
Nope, no luck. Mainly just fantasy books.
Maybe something a bit more vague? "Magic bookshelf"?
Nope.
That's where I gave up for the moment. Maybe I will spread my search to a photo website like Flickr. Maybe you people that know me can help me out?
Thank you for listening to my ranting, and I'll post if I find something interesting.
(I actually found that picture off the web...you can see a close-up of it if you go to Dorothy's blog)
I think it's the most awesome laptop skin ever, and I think it really fits her personality. So that got me thinking, "So what would be the perfect bookshelf pic for me?"
And thus began my quest.
Last night I started by searching "bookshelf" on Google Images. Better to start vague, I guess? That gave me a lot of photos of (surprise!) people's bookshelves. They were very average bookshelves, though, and not very characteristic of anybody (unless you start reading the titles, but that wasn't what I was looking for).
So I decided I need to figure out what kind of picture I wanted anyway. Well, I wanted something like the above pic, but maybe a little neater (to fit my personality), but preferably kind of surreal. So I searched "surreal bookshelf". Ok, that was better... there were some cool ones...but it still wasn't quite what I needed.
"Fantasy bookshelf", perhaps?
Nope, no luck. Mainly just fantasy books.
Maybe something a bit more vague? "Magic bookshelf"?
Nope.
That's where I gave up for the moment. Maybe I will spread my search to a photo website like Flickr. Maybe you people that know me can help me out?
Thank you for listening to my ranting, and I'll post if I find something interesting.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A quickie. Don't worry, I'll post a longer one soon
Just a quick post. I upgraded my blog today so I can change my template and add new links now. Yay!
Also, I went to a small lake near my house today to take photos...it was cold, but fun. I'll post some of the photos later...
EDIT: Ok, I added a new background! You like?
Also, I went to a small lake near my house today to take photos...it was cold, but fun. I'll post some of the photos later...
EDIT: Ok, I added a new background! You like?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Summer, games, and Walden
It's a nice day today. It kinda makes me miss summer. I mean, I like winter and all (I like to downhill ski and skate), but I would like it to be summer soon. This might be because I've been making plans about what I'm going to do this summer.
So. What else?
Well, I haven't posted in three years, so I might as well say what I've been doing.
I still really miss the Myst series, but I'm more into action-type games now. Especially platformers and the like. I watch "Let's Plays" on Youtube, and I wonder if maybe I should give it a try.
I'm reading a book right now called Walden (by Henry David Thoreau) for this book club. I didn't know it was a classic...maybe it's more popular down in the U.S. For those who don't know what it is, it's about Thoreau himself when he goes to live in a cottage in the woods. It's about nature, and his philosophies in life.
Anyway, Thoreau and I aren't getting along very much...he seems a little judgmental to me (like, "we should all live like THIS and everyone who doesn't is WRONG.") but I do agree with some of what he says (it's still relevant today even though he wrote in the nineteenth century! Maybe that's why it's still around), and his descriptions of nature are really cool. I'll tell you my full impression after I've actually finished it.
Ok, that's it for now. I'm going to go reread my old posts now...maybe I'll post on that later. Bye! =)
So. What else?
Well, I haven't posted in three years, so I might as well say what I've been doing.
I still really miss the Myst series, but I'm more into action-type games now. Especially platformers and the like. I watch "Let's Plays" on Youtube, and I wonder if maybe I should give it a try.
I'm reading a book right now called Walden (by Henry David Thoreau) for this book club. I didn't know it was a classic...maybe it's more popular down in the U.S. For those who don't know what it is, it's about Thoreau himself when he goes to live in a cottage in the woods. It's about nature, and his philosophies in life.
Anyway, Thoreau and I aren't getting along very much...he seems a little judgmental to me (like, "we should all live like THIS and everyone who doesn't is WRONG.") but I do agree with some of what he says (it's still relevant today even though he wrote in the nineteenth century! Maybe that's why it's still around), and his descriptions of nature are really cool. I'll tell you my full impression after I've actually finished it.
Ok, that's it for now. I'm going to go reread my old posts now...maybe I'll post on that later. Bye! =)
Monday, February 09, 2009
Let's try this again
Ok. Time to get this back up. If only for a few months. A friend of mine has a blog now, so I figure I should have one again too.
I'm thinking of going in a more "book" direction now, but we'll see how it goes.
More posts to come.
I'm thinking of going in a more "book" direction now, but we'll see how it goes.
More posts to come.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Syberia
Well, I'm back! Gosh, the past few months have gone by so fast. Christmas is so soon!!!
Do you remember, in my previous post, when I was talking about the fact I was planning to play a game called Syberia? Well, I got it...a while ago...and I played it, and finished it sometime in late November/early December. It's sooo good! I wasn't entierly wowed by the "worlds" but it was really cool anyway!
Another thing: There's a of new version of blogger out...and I'm probably going to switch to that soon.
Ok, that's all. Bye!
P.S. Note to self: Post more often. Post more often! More...often. Post more! Post post post post post! Gaah...gotta remember I have a blog!
Do you remember, in my previous post, when I was talking about the fact I was planning to play a game called Syberia? Well, I got it...a while ago...and I played it, and finished it sometime in late November/early December. It's sooo good! I wasn't entierly wowed by the "worlds" but it was really cool anyway!
Another thing: There's a of new version of blogger out...and I'm probably going to switch to that soon.
Ok, that's all. Bye!
P.S. Note to self: Post more often. Post more often! More...often. Post more! Post post post post post! Gaah...gotta remember I have a blog!
Monday, October 16, 2006
Ages beyond Myst...not in the Uru way either.
Today we've gotten the first snow of the year! Yes, it is a bit early. But I don't think we'll get "official" snow until...I dunno, mid-November.
Anyway,I have something more to say than just "blah" or "I should post more often". I've been thinking of the Myst games and I've decided that it doesn't really matter that it's finished (although in ten years...we'll see!), since there are lots of other fantasy adventure point-and-click games out there. I've decided to make a list of the ones I played, and what I think of them:
1. The Journeyman Project
I didn't like the first much (I gave up at the beginning...I couldn't really go anywhere), and the second was annoying with all the ways you can die (how was I supposed to know there was a guard right behind that door??), but I loved the third. Too bad there are only three in the series.
2. Schizm: Mysterious Journey
Well, the places are cool...but...well, let me explain what I mean with this little play I wrote:
Player 1: Wow...nice graphics!
Player 2: Let's explore!
(Players 1 and 2 run around, exploring.)
Player 2: Hmmm...we can't really go to a lot of places, can we?
Player 1: Not until we solve this puzzle, anyway!
(Players 1 and 2 fiddle with the puzzle, then go and look at the walkthrough and solve it.)
Player 1: Gosh...that was hard!!
Player 2: Well, now we can actually do something!
(Players run around some more.)
Player 2: Oh...it's...another puzzle.
Um...yeah. In conclusion: Schizm is great for puzzle-fans, and not so great for explorers.
3. The Neverhood
Totally awesome!! It's fun to explore, and the puzzles are about ten times easier than in Myst! Plus, it's hilarious! You actually have the same wandering, not-sure-what-you-have-to-do feel as you do in Myst (the first one). The only bad part is the sequal is a platform video game.
4. Crystal Key
I got this one a long time ago. It didn't work on my computer, actually. I was disappointed, obviously...but when I found out you can die if you solve a puzzle wrong...yeah, no thank you. (Still...maybe it'll work on my current computer...)
Well, that's all I can remember for now. The games I have my eyes on right now are Aura: Fate of the Ages, and Syberia. Especially the latter. (Or however you spell it.)
Anyway,I have something more to say than just "blah" or "I should post more often". I've been thinking of the Myst games and I've decided that it doesn't really matter that it's finished (although in ten years...we'll see!), since there are lots of other fantasy adventure point-and-click games out there. I've decided to make a list of the ones I played, and what I think of them:
1. The Journeyman Project
I didn't like the first much (I gave up at the beginning...I couldn't really go anywhere), and the second was annoying with all the ways you can die (how was I supposed to know there was a guard right behind that door??), but I loved the third. Too bad there are only three in the series.
2. Schizm: Mysterious Journey
Well, the places are cool...but...well, let me explain what I mean with this little play I wrote:
Player 1: Wow...nice graphics!
Player 2: Let's explore!
(Players 1 and 2 run around, exploring.)
Player 2: Hmmm...we can't really go to a lot of places, can we?
Player 1: Not until we solve this puzzle, anyway!
(Players 1 and 2 fiddle with the puzzle, then go and look at the walkthrough and solve it.)
Player 1: Gosh...that was hard!!
Player 2: Well, now we can actually do something!
(Players run around some more.)
Player 2: Oh...it's...another puzzle.
Um...yeah. In conclusion: Schizm is great for puzzle-fans, and not so great for explorers.
3. The Neverhood
Totally awesome!! It's fun to explore, and the puzzles are about ten times easier than in Myst! Plus, it's hilarious! You actually have the same wandering, not-sure-what-you-have-to-do feel as you do in Myst (the first one). The only bad part is the sequal is a platform video game.
4. Crystal Key
I got this one a long time ago. It didn't work on my computer, actually. I was disappointed, obviously...but when I found out you can die if you solve a puzzle wrong...yeah, no thank you. (Still...maybe it'll work on my current computer...)
Well, that's all I can remember for now. The games I have my eyes on right now are Aura: Fate of the Ages, and Syberia. Especially the latter. (Or however you spell it.)
Friday, September 01, 2006
September again!
Well, once again it's fall. So far it still feels like the end of summer, but I'm sure it'll get colder soon. Hmm...I think this means that my blog has turned one year old...and I didn't even notice!! Well, I'll try my best to post soon...it's just that I can't find anything that interesting to write about. I don't know...we'll see. Maybe I'll start posting more links like I did with Ages, but with something else. I just need to find an interesting topic. Well, bye! I'm going to go celebrate Every Color's (late) first Birthday.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Sunday, July 23, 2006
More camping
Well, I'm going camping again. I'll be back on Monday 24, but I might not actually post for a while. Or maybe I will...who knows...
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Flash
Hello! What is my excuse for disappearing this time? I've been camping! Well...actually I came back a few weeks ago, but it's still a good excuse.
Well, here's a piece of info that I think you'll be interested in: I'm starting to learn Flash! So far I'm at the very early stages, but I'm moving fairly quickly, so hopefuly my first game will come much sooner than I thought! Well, actually I thought my first game will come in like...10 years. Now it seems I might have my first game in a year! Well, if you are thinking of something very simple, then it will come sooner, but I mean the adventure or escape-the-room game I was thinking of before.
Well, I'll go and continue Flash now. Wish me luck!
Well, here's a piece of info that I think you'll be interested in: I'm starting to learn Flash! So far I'm at the very early stages, but I'm moving fairly quickly, so hopefuly my first game will come much sooner than I thought! Well, actually I thought my first game will come in like...10 years. Now it seems I might have my first game in a year! Well, if you are thinking of something very simple, then it will come sooner, but I mean the adventure or escape-the-room game I was thinking of before.
Well, I'll go and continue Flash now. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Final Age
D'oh! It turns out I posted an Age twice! Humph...
Anyway, time to post my last Ages.
Wow...I only had one left to post! Well, here it is:
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3493/journal.html?200523
This actually isn't an Age...it's a journal. Well, a story in the form of a journal. It's about a man who lived in D'ni. I don't think it's finished, though. What I read is very interesting so far!
And those are all my Ages. I guess I'll have to search on for more Fan-Ages.
Bye!
Anyway, time to post my last Ages.
Wow...I only had one left to post! Well, here it is:
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3493/journal.html?200523
This actually isn't an Age...it's a journal. Well, a story in the form of a journal. It's about a man who lived in D'ni. I don't think it's finished, though. What I read is very interesting so far!
And those are all my Ages. I guess I'll have to search on for more Fan-Ages.
Bye!
Time to take a look at those Ages!
Hi there!
Sorry about not updating, I've been sick for a few days. I'm going to look at some previous posts now to see how many Fan-Ages I have yet to add here. *blows nose*
Sorry about not updating, I've been sick for a few days. I'm going to look at some previous posts now to see how many Fan-Ages I have yet to add here. *blows nose*
Friday, June 09, 2006
Not sure what to call this post...
Sorry that I didn't add any Ages yesterday. I was having some problems with my blog and I got sick of trying to fix it. It seems to work now, so I'll get back to the Ages soon. Oh, and I'm going to delete one of those double posts this evening, don't worry :-).
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Another Age post
Ok, since I haven't posted in a while, I figure I should do something to make it up to...anyone who reads this blog.
So, I have a bunch more Fan-Ages left in my collection. Let's see...
http://www.mystrees.com/
Mystrees is an Age east of Niagara Falls, as the introduction mentions. It consists of a complex of treehouses, with bridges connecting them. The website has a great collection of pictures, so go take a look!
http://dni.kasha.net/index2.html
Here we have a collection of stories and images from various Ages. I recommend checking out "Ages" first. There are some very beautiful Ages...
Ok, now I have to check what Ages I already put here, so I won't repost one. If there are any Ages I haven't shown yet, I'll post them today.
So, I have a bunch more Fan-Ages left in my collection. Let's see...
http://www.mystrees.com/
Mystrees is an Age east of Niagara Falls, as the introduction mentions. It consists of a complex of treehouses, with bridges connecting them. The website has a great collection of pictures, so go take a look!
http://dni.kasha.net/index2.html
Here we have a collection of stories and images from various Ages. I recommend checking out "Ages" first. There are some very beautiful Ages...
Ok, now I have to check what Ages I already put here, so I won't repost one. If there are any Ages I haven't shown yet, I'll post them today.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Adoptees up!
Ok, I officially have three adoptees on my website. These adoptables can also be found here, but I figured I should start with what I know works.
So, as promised, here is the link: http://fairy.niki.googlepages.com/home
As you can see, my username there is a bit different.
I hope I can get all my adoptees there in the near future!
So, as promised, here is the link: http://fairy.niki.googlepages.com/home
As you can see, my username there is a bit different.
I hope I can get all my adoptees there in the near future!
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