Okay, so famous Irish author James Joyce is on every Great Books list ever published. Ulysses, Finnegan's Wake, Portrait of the Artist as A Young Man...they're all praised and renowned, and on college reading lists for the educated student, and all this other shit.
Here's the thing though: James Joyce SUCKS.
Okay, okay, I'm being a little harsh. The man was definitely intelligent, and definitely talented. I will not deny that his books are well-written...but does anyone actually know what he's writing about? Can anyone actually focus on his stream-of-consciousness style for more than a hot second? Does anybody else get constantly lost in his wordy metaphors? I know I do.
I read Portrait of the Artist as A Young Man my senior year, when I was going through my "read-every-book-on-the-AP-reading-list" stage. Many of those books were excellent, but I was sincerely disappointed with Mr. Joyce. I was intrigued for the first couple of chapters, but by the middle of the book, I was lost and confused. I have to be honest, I don't think I was completely focused on the content after that point, because I was just trying to find a point where we'd actually get back to an understandable plot...but that never happened. Oh, except for the part where he got addicted to having sex with prostitutes. THAT part was made nice and clear.
I do like his letters to his wife, though. They're so scatological. I personally am not into that shit (haha), but I think it's funny that such a renowned author WAS.
So anyways, next time I'll write on an author who is actually really incredible. There's quite a few of those, so it may take me a while to focus on one, but I'll do my best. In the meantime, what does everyone else think of James Joyce? I feel so silly asking questions when no one answers, but I KNOW people are reading this, so please leave a comment!
Cheers,
GIM<3
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Pointless Blathering (on Aliens)
Whenever we envision aliens, we imagine them to be races far more intelligent and advanced than our own. But this isn't necessarily true. If there is life out there, which I believe there is, by the way...there will be a ranging variety of it. On some planets, life will just be developing out of the primordial ooze. On others, there will be very highly advanced civilizations. But the odds are that there will be plenty of alien species that are right around our level of development. If we somehow discover each other, we will, of course, still learn so much from our encounter. But they won't necessarily be so far ahead of us in technological development.
Also, everyone is sooo paranoid that, if they exist, aliens are out to conquer/slaughter us. Honestly, I can't think of any good reason that they would do that. No alien race is going to want to take over the Earth. We don't have enough resources, we've already used so many for ourselves, plus our environment is too fucked up. So there's that theory out the window. Also, no alien race is just going to destroy the Earth, either. What could they possibly gain by doing that? I mean, even if we did have the technology, we would not go around destroying other planets for shits and giggles, it would be so wasteful. Now, they might want to abduct a few of us, maybe even enslave us, but I also think that the chances of that are slim. I honestly think that if any real contact is ever made between us and another planet, it will be solely to communicate and to learn about each other, as opposed to either party immediately wanting to take advantage of the other...although it may well evolve into that.
So yeah, those are my thoughts. I'm just pondering as I watch the History Channel series Ancient Aliens. It's suggesting that ancient civilizations were highly impacted by astronauts from outer space, blahblahblah, nothing I haven't heard before. But it's certainly interesting, and thought-provoking. I could definitely believe it. Thoughts?
Cheers,
GIM<3
Also, everyone is sooo paranoid that, if they exist, aliens are out to conquer/slaughter us. Honestly, I can't think of any good reason that they would do that. No alien race is going to want to take over the Earth. We don't have enough resources, we've already used so many for ourselves, plus our environment is too fucked up. So there's that theory out the window. Also, no alien race is just going to destroy the Earth, either. What could they possibly gain by doing that? I mean, even if we did have the technology, we would not go around destroying other planets for shits and giggles, it would be so wasteful. Now, they might want to abduct a few of us, maybe even enslave us, but I also think that the chances of that are slim. I honestly think that if any real contact is ever made between us and another planet, it will be solely to communicate and to learn about each other, as opposed to either party immediately wanting to take advantage of the other...although it may well evolve into that.
So yeah, those are my thoughts. I'm just pondering as I watch the History Channel series Ancient Aliens. It's suggesting that ancient civilizations were highly impacted by astronauts from outer space, blahblahblah, nothing I haven't heard before. But it's certainly interesting, and thought-provoking. I could definitely believe it. Thoughts?
Cheers,
GIM<3
Friday, February 11, 2011
THAT'S How Bad It Is.
You know you're upset when Lady Gaga's new album has just come out and you have literally NO desire to listen to any of the songs.
Cheers (I guess),
GIM<3
Cheers (I guess),
GIM<3
Words of the Day IV
GOOD WORD
keffiyeh - an Arab headdress consisting of a square of cloth folded to form a triangle and held on by a cord
BAD WORD
plotz - to be overcome with emotion; give way to excitement, anger, delight, etc.
keffiyeh - an Arab headdress consisting of a square of cloth folded to form a triangle and held on by a cord
BAD WORD
plotz - to be overcome with emotion; give way to excitement, anger, delight, etc.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Hatred Rant, Love Rhapsody
You know what I hate? Overuse of the term "lol". Actually, I hate just ANY use of that term. I mean, I really don't want to see it unless I know for sure that you are LEGITIMATELY laughing out loud. And the thing is, people use "lol" so often, that there's literally no way humanly possible that they are laughing out loud every time they write it. People are always like "hey lol" and I'm like "...what...what the fuck are you laughing at??" Now, I have to say that I talk to quite a few people who use "lol" who are genuinely good people...they should just refrain from using this absolutely insipid internet term.
You know what I love? Being up this early in the morning for no apparent reason. I mean, yeah, I'm upset that I couldn't fall asleep, that kinda sucks. But I like being the only one up, and I love the early morning. Usually I sleep right through it, sooo it's kind of entertaining. I like when everyone else starts getting up and there's coffee and whatnot. It's just a good time.
Cheers,
GIM<3
You know what I love? Being up this early in the morning for no apparent reason. I mean, yeah, I'm upset that I couldn't fall asleep, that kinda sucks. But I like being the only one up, and I love the early morning. Usually I sleep right through it, sooo it's kind of entertaining. I like when everyone else starts getting up and there's coffee and whatnot. It's just a good time.
Cheers,
GIM<3
Antic Disposition
So here's something I literally JUST realized: I get really crazy about guys (this is the moment where my friends all think, "Really, Gron, ya JUST realized this?")
Seriously, though, I was thinking about all the guys I've liked in the past couple of years, and with literally all of them, I get a little twitchy. Even the guys that I only have tiny, short crushes on, I'll have these elaborate fantasies where we have this like tortured, ongoing romance, or that we have an illegitimate child together, or we just end up living happily after forever and ever or some shit like that. And I won't even venture into what I do with guys I REALLY like, it borders on the truly obscene.
Example: there have been three guys in my life that I've really, really, really liked. With each one of those guys, I was like, "OH MY GOD. THIS IS IT. I'M IN LOVE. HE'S THE ONE. HE'S PERFECT. I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM ZOMGZOMGZLAJSDLFAJD" And this was BEFORE I had any inkling of whether they had any affection for ME or not. Of course, none of them did, but before I realized that, I would put myself through absolute fucking torment trying to figure out if they had any feelings for me. "Well, on Monday he looked really happy to see me and hugged me for like a whole five seconds, which could totally mean something, and also when we were sitting next to each other his thigh was like pressing into mine, but was that because he was signalling to me that he likes me or was it because there were seven of us on one couch? And then I texted him Friday and he didn't text me back for like a whole three hours and thirty-seven minutes, and if he really liked me he SO would've texted me back like immediately, right?"
Gross. GROSS. Believe me, I know, it is gross. And I am usually the champion for non-grossness in love and relationships.
So, now that I have this information about myself, what do I do with it? Well, first, I look back at every single guy I ever liked and bemoan the fact that I a) made such a fool out of myself in front of them and my friends, and b) I put sooo much time and effort into guys that probably never gave me a second thought. But after that's done, I guess I just have to keep this information tucked away until the next time I find myself falling for someone. When I find myself mooning over him, or overanalyzing, or wanting to tear my hair out in frustration over a guy I've known for a hot second, I'll just have to remember that I've done this a million times before, and nothing good has come of it! If I keep my cool and act like the genuinely decent person I know (think) myself to be, I have much more of a chance of ending up with this guy...or at least getting on his dick, which is just as good, really.
Thankfully, I have no love interest at the moment, and I don't think one will be cropping up any time soon. So I have plenty of time to try and cool my lovesick, starry-eyed, crazy-ass heels.
Cheers,
GIM<3
Seriously, though, I was thinking about all the guys I've liked in the past couple of years, and with literally all of them, I get a little twitchy. Even the guys that I only have tiny, short crushes on, I'll have these elaborate fantasies where we have this like tortured, ongoing romance, or that we have an illegitimate child together, or we just end up living happily after forever and ever or some shit like that. And I won't even venture into what I do with guys I REALLY like, it borders on the truly obscene.
Example: there have been three guys in my life that I've really, really, really liked. With each one of those guys, I was like, "OH MY GOD. THIS IS IT. I'M IN LOVE. HE'S THE ONE. HE'S PERFECT. I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM ZOMGZOMGZLAJSDLFAJD" And this was BEFORE I had any inkling of whether they had any affection for ME or not. Of course, none of them did, but before I realized that, I would put myself through absolute fucking torment trying to figure out if they had any feelings for me. "Well, on Monday he looked really happy to see me and hugged me for like a whole five seconds, which could totally mean something, and also when we were sitting next to each other his thigh was like pressing into mine, but was that because he was signalling to me that he likes me or was it because there were seven of us on one couch? And then I texted him Friday and he didn't text me back for like a whole three hours and thirty-seven minutes, and if he really liked me he SO would've texted me back like immediately, right?"
Gross. GROSS. Believe me, I know, it is gross. And I am usually the champion for non-grossness in love and relationships.
So, now that I have this information about myself, what do I do with it? Well, first, I look back at every single guy I ever liked and bemoan the fact that I a) made such a fool out of myself in front of them and my friends, and b) I put sooo much time and effort into guys that probably never gave me a second thought. But after that's done, I guess I just have to keep this information tucked away until the next time I find myself falling for someone. When I find myself mooning over him, or overanalyzing, or wanting to tear my hair out in frustration over a guy I've known for a hot second, I'll just have to remember that I've done this a million times before, and nothing good has come of it! If I keep my cool and act like the genuinely decent person I know (think) myself to be, I have much more of a chance of ending up with this guy...or at least getting on his dick, which is just as good, really.
Thankfully, I have no love interest at the moment, and I don't think one will be cropping up any time soon. So I have plenty of time to try and cool my lovesick, starry-eyed, crazy-ass heels.
Cheers,
GIM<3
Monday, February 7, 2011
Growing Up
I don't want to grow up. But I have to.
I have to go back to school. In addition to the CUNY schools I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm now applying to Columbia University School of General Studies, Marymount Manhattan, and St. Joseph's College Brooklyn. Seven schools. Ugh. I also have to do my taxes for the first time (!) and fill out my FAFSA (!!!) Kill me.
I have to move out of Woodstock...and, after a temporary stint with my mother whilst I find a job and an apartment, move out on my own. Living on my own isn't terrifying for me, it's what that entails. Paying rent and bills? Scary shit, yo. And also finding a job (or two, or three) that can support me enough, WHILE going to school??
How do grown-ups do it?
Cheers,
GIM<3
I have to go back to school. In addition to the CUNY schools I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm now applying to Columbia University School of General Studies, Marymount Manhattan, and St. Joseph's College Brooklyn. Seven schools. Ugh. I also have to do my taxes for the first time (!) and fill out my FAFSA (!!!) Kill me.
I have to move out of Woodstock...and, after a temporary stint with my mother whilst I find a job and an apartment, move out on my own. Living on my own isn't terrifying for me, it's what that entails. Paying rent and bills? Scary shit, yo. And also finding a job (or two, or three) that can support me enough, WHILE going to school??
How do grown-ups do it?
Cheers,
GIM<3
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Passive-Aggressive Tendencies.
Have you ever heard of the term "Vaguebooking"? Ya know, making your status something passive-aggressively pointed and vague, like, "well i guess some people will never be anything but dumb man-stealing bitches =]" or something similar? I want to do this ALL THE TIME. But I'm still super nervous that somehow, some way, these people will know that I'm talking about them, no matter how vague I may be. So I decided that since most of the people I want to Vaguebook about look at my profile but don't read my blog, I will put my feelings about them in here.
1. You're gross, please stop thinking you're cool solely because you're old enough to drink on the daily
2. I honestly don't even know why we ever talked, you're obnoxious and all you do is complain and you have no aspirations. Go fall down a well.
3. YOU'RE FUCKING RETARDEDDDDDDD AARRRRRGGGGHHHHH
That's it for now, my anger has been relieved.
Cheers,
GIM<3
GIM<3
Friday, February 4, 2011
V-Day clearly stands for Vomit Day
So I"m a little more than a week early, but while it's in my head, I thought that I would talk about my feelings on Valentine's Day.
Now, as my readers may know, this will be my 19th consecutive year of being single on V-Day. In high school, I would get a little depressed about it, maybe even write an angsty poem about my current love interest in my journal, and just generally sulk on February 14th. But now, I genuinely don't care about my own romantic situation on Valentine's Day. If I DID happen to have a significant other this time of year, I would want to treat Valentine's Day just like any other day of the year, because love shouldn't just be expressed on ONE SINGULAR DAY, and chocolates and flowers and stuffed bears that make noises when you hug them are really not overpowering symbols of love to me. So, really, it's not the issue of being single on Valentine's Day that irritates me...it's how OTHER people deal with it.
There's two groups of people on V-Day: those who are in a relationship, and those who are not. Both are fucking annoying as hell. People who are in a relationship insist on talking to you about their plans on what to give their baby-boo, what they hope they get, blahdoobleedablee, when you actually couldn't care less and would like to talk about something that actually MATTERS. Then when the actual day comes, you have to put up with their fucking annoying-ass Facebook statuses: "my baby-boo is the best i love him sooooo much happy valentine's day babyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" If you happen to see the two of them together on Valentine's Day, they coo over each other and slime all over each other with their gross lovey-dovey baby talk, and you just sit there wanting to slit your wrists.
Then, there's the singletons. Now, there are some people who are really chill about being single, and some who hide their moping very well. But then there's those fucking ridiculous people who always have to be like "alone for v-day again...guess this is just my life = ' [" SHUT THE FUCK UP. Valentine's Day is a saint's feast day that originally had NOTHING TO DO with romance and was COMPLETELY COMMERCIALIZED and turned into a sick, trashy holiday designed to make money and to make people feel bad about themselves. Get a fucking backbone and be happy for what you DO have, for the love of god. Just because you don't have a boyfriend NOW doesn't mean that you won't have one next week, or next month, or at least for NEXT Valentine's Day. I just can't stand people who just drown in their tears every Valentine's Day because they're so "unlovable".
Maybe my bitter side is showing through a little bit here. I mean, one day in the future, I would like to have a nice Valentine's Day...nothing too extreme, maybe just some flowers, since I do think it's a silly holiday to begin with. It's more about having someone that you care about to share EVERY day with, not just February 14th. Sure, I'd like that someday. But for now, I'm cool with spending my Valentine's Day alone, or with my friends, or working, or whatever will happen for me that day. I just don't think it's such a big deal, it's nothing to get your panties in a twist about. What do YOU think, my lurking readership? I know you're out there, gimme some feedback!
Cheers,
GIM<3
Now, as my readers may know, this will be my 19th consecutive year of being single on V-Day. In high school, I would get a little depressed about it, maybe even write an angsty poem about my current love interest in my journal, and just generally sulk on February 14th. But now, I genuinely don't care about my own romantic situation on Valentine's Day. If I DID happen to have a significant other this time of year, I would want to treat Valentine's Day just like any other day of the year, because love shouldn't just be expressed on ONE SINGULAR DAY, and chocolates and flowers and stuffed bears that make noises when you hug them are really not overpowering symbols of love to me. So, really, it's not the issue of being single on Valentine's Day that irritates me...it's how OTHER people deal with it.
There's two groups of people on V-Day: those who are in a relationship, and those who are not. Both are fucking annoying as hell. People who are in a relationship insist on talking to you about their plans on what to give their baby-boo, what they hope they get, blahdoobleedablee, when you actually couldn't care less and would like to talk about something that actually MATTERS. Then when the actual day comes, you have to put up with their fucking annoying-ass Facebook statuses: "my baby-boo is the best i love him sooooo much happy valentine's day babyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" If you happen to see the two of them together on Valentine's Day, they coo over each other and slime all over each other with their gross lovey-dovey baby talk, and you just sit there wanting to slit your wrists.
Then, there's the singletons. Now, there are some people who are really chill about being single, and some who hide their moping very well. But then there's those fucking ridiculous people who always have to be like "alone for v-day again...guess this is just my life = ' [" SHUT THE FUCK UP. Valentine's Day is a saint's feast day that originally had NOTHING TO DO with romance and was COMPLETELY COMMERCIALIZED and turned into a sick, trashy holiday designed to make money and to make people feel bad about themselves. Get a fucking backbone and be happy for what you DO have, for the love of god. Just because you don't have a boyfriend NOW doesn't mean that you won't have one next week, or next month, or at least for NEXT Valentine's Day. I just can't stand people who just drown in their tears every Valentine's Day because they're so "unlovable".
Maybe my bitter side is showing through a little bit here. I mean, one day in the future, I would like to have a nice Valentine's Day...nothing too extreme, maybe just some flowers, since I do think it's a silly holiday to begin with. It's more about having someone that you care about to share EVERY day with, not just February 14th. Sure, I'd like that someday. But for now, I'm cool with spending my Valentine's Day alone, or with my friends, or working, or whatever will happen for me that day. I just don't think it's such a big deal, it's nothing to get your panties in a twist about. What do YOU think, my lurking readership? I know you're out there, gimme some feedback!
Cheers,
GIM<3
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
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