Bollocks, this had to be one of the most amazing books I've ever read. It goes far beyond being just a science fiction novel, or a collection of all the geekiest and most awesome things imaginable. If you're a fan of science fiction as a genre, read it. Also, if you dig the eighties. Or video games. Or technology. Or just a good story. It has ALL OF THE THINGS!!
In all seriousness, Cline writes superbly. Though, I will say he touches on all the touchy things--race, gender, sexual orientation. He blends so many separate, yet also relevant elements into a whole picture that paints itself. One thing that really stood out to me was how OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation) was a combination of every game, every show, every fictional universe that has ever been. Firefly, Star Wars, all of it. The sheer volume of imagination accessible within OASIS is mind boggling to someone that has spent a large portion of her life wrapped up in a book or video game. And the mere thought of actually getting to live Firefly or any of my other favorite fictional universes... It makes my little heart race.
I loved the story, the world, the accurate commentary on everything from capitalism to race and gender. The beginning is definitely the best part--the characters are witty. But, there did come a point where I began to roll my eyes at the Art3mis-Wade/Parzival dynamic. I can't quite pin down what I don't like about their relationship. Don't get me wrong, I love a good romantic interest. And I even like when my genres cross (shhhh). But, something about them in this particular bit of science fiction just didn't quite satisfy.
Ready Player One definitely merits a re-read. It was certainly engrossing, as I stayed up well past a decent hour to try and finish.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Corona Lime Cupcakes
Weekend before last, I made some delicious Corona Lime Cupcakes with Lime Whipped Cream Frosting. I found the recipe on Pinterest (of course) and was led to the following link
http://lovelifeandcreativethings.wordpress.com/2012/07/07/59/
Since I was taking them to work, I decided not to brush the Corona on top of the finished cupcakes before cooling. And in lieu of cream cheese frosting, I did good ol' whipped cream frosting with a lime squeezed in. Turned out pretty freaking amazing. Just the right amount of sweet and the cake part was absolutely fantastic. They disappeared at work pretty quickly. What is pictured below is prettier than what my finished product was... So, that's what you get. These were amazingly easy to do and I will definitely be doing these again--especially since I have 5/6 Coronas left in the fridge. They either turn into cupcakes or get drank by someone other then myself!
http://lovelifeandcreativethings.wordpress.com/2012/07/07/59/
Since I was taking them to work, I decided not to brush the Corona on top of the finished cupcakes before cooling. And in lieu of cream cheese frosting, I did good ol' whipped cream frosting with a lime squeezed in. Turned out pretty freaking amazing. Just the right amount of sweet and the cake part was absolutely fantastic. They disappeared at work pretty quickly. What is pictured below is prettier than what my finished product was... So, that's what you get. These were amazingly easy to do and I will definitely be doing these again--especially since I have 5/6 Coronas left in the fridge. They either turn into cupcakes or get drank by someone other then myself!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Quotes (2)
I'm an avid collector of quotes. This isn't just limited to literature, as an FYI
The good things don't always soften the bad things, but vice-versa, the bad things don't necessarily spoil the good things and make them unimportant. -Eleventh Doctor
It's so easy from above / You can really see it all / People who belong together / Lost and sad and small / But there's nothing to be done for them / It doesn't work that way / Sure we all have soul mates but we walk past them every day -Ben Folds, From Above
The good things don't always soften the bad things, but vice-versa, the bad things don't necessarily spoil the good things and make them unimportant. -Eleventh Doctor
It's so easy from above / You can really see it all / People who belong together / Lost and sad and small / But there's nothing to be done for them / It doesn't work that way / Sure we all have soul mates but we walk past them every day -Ben Folds, From Above
Monday, June 3, 2013
Ender's Game - movie
So, I blogged about this when I read the book at the end of last year/beginning of this year. A nerdy friend and I went to see the new Star Trek and we both completely nerded out as soon as Harrison Ford's face popped up and we made the connection. There were gaping mouths and fingers pointing excitedly at the screen. And then laughter when we realized we were pretty much mirroring the others reaction. I am quite excited!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
On Horror Novels
I was once asked what was so appealing about horror as a genre. Granted, the person asking me was lumping all horror in together--novels, movies, television. I don't do horror movies. They tend to be slasher movies and are generally not appealing to me at all. I have no interest in seeing who can survive the serial killer. It's horror as a book genre that really speaks to me.
From a young age, I've had an absolute, never failing, incredible fascination in post apocalyptic and dystopian literature. Both of those can easily walk hand in hand with horror. I just picked up the second Dark Tower graphic novel at HFB Friday night. I was able to resist the lure of picking it up, as I stayed out too late Friday and had all sorts of errands to run yesterday (none of which got accomplished, mind you). This morning is/was a different story. I sat down after I got out of the shower and flipped once through the pages, looking at the artwork, studiously avoiding the words. I decided I could read the introduction, and this quote from it sums up my love of horror as a book genre: What deep and dark fears scribe Stephen is playing with here through his universal antagonist [the Crimson King]. What is it, we as collective humanity, really fear most? We dread this thin world of order and reason we inhabit will crumble and we'll be lost forever in a landscape of madness. We fear worldwide Armageddon; the disintegration of society; the breakdown of the family unit; the loss of our personal sanity.
This is what speaks to me. This is why we have super heroes, fairy tales, religion, laws, government... Because we have to have something to keep the wolf at bay. When we are children, it is Captain America, X-Men, Batman, and Wonderwoman who safeguard our dreams. Religion and laws are humanity's ways of ruling our own wolf. Because, really the wolf at the door, howling in the night... It's just you and me.
At the end of the world, what are we going to become? There is so much evidence of the nature of man, we see it during every natural disaster. There are those who help their fellow man and then there are those who take advantage of the situation. Multiply that by the rest of the world. it's a frightening thought. That's where the dystopian literature comes in--people are so afraid that they separate themselves (The Giver), or subjugate their own people with violence and sacrifice (Hunger Games). So, that's it. There is my fascination. People can be so amazing. People can also be so horrible.
From a young age, I've had an absolute, never failing, incredible fascination in post apocalyptic and dystopian literature. Both of those can easily walk hand in hand with horror. I just picked up the second Dark Tower graphic novel at HFB Friday night. I was able to resist the lure of picking it up, as I stayed out too late Friday and had all sorts of errands to run yesterday (none of which got accomplished, mind you). This morning is/was a different story. I sat down after I got out of the shower and flipped once through the pages, looking at the artwork, studiously avoiding the words. I decided I could read the introduction, and this quote from it sums up my love of horror as a book genre: What deep and dark fears scribe Stephen is playing with here through his universal antagonist [the Crimson King]. What is it, we as collective humanity, really fear most? We dread this thin world of order and reason we inhabit will crumble and we'll be lost forever in a landscape of madness. We fear worldwide Armageddon; the disintegration of society; the breakdown of the family unit; the loss of our personal sanity.
This is what speaks to me. This is why we have super heroes, fairy tales, religion, laws, government... Because we have to have something to keep the wolf at bay. When we are children, it is Captain America, X-Men, Batman, and Wonderwoman who safeguard our dreams. Religion and laws are humanity's ways of ruling our own wolf. Because, really the wolf at the door, howling in the night... It's just you and me.
At the end of the world, what are we going to become? There is so much evidence of the nature of man, we see it during every natural disaster. There are those who help their fellow man and then there are those who take advantage of the situation. Multiply that by the rest of the world. it's a frightening thought. That's where the dystopian literature comes in--people are so afraid that they separate themselves (The Giver), or subjugate their own people with violence and sacrifice (Hunger Games). So, that's it. There is my fascination. People can be so amazing. People can also be so horrible.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Serenity: Those Left Behind
Forgive my insane love of all things Firefly. I don't quite recall when I found out there were graphic novels... But, I have had my eye on obtaining them for some time. So, imagine my delight when I come across the first volume in HPB. I may have made an excited squee noise. Don't judge me.
First off, I love the art. It's phenomenal. I can't find a thing wrong with the artists' depictions of each character. Mal's face isn't quite as lovable, but that is neither here nor there. I loved that it was all still Whedon's trademark snark and bite in the dialogue (yes I know, he wrote it). I wasn't sure how well it would translate into text, but it did and I love it.
My only gripe is that it felt so short. I know it's pictures and dialogue, but it took me several lunch hours to finish the first Dark Tower graphic novel, and I was tearing through that pretty quickly. I would love for it to have a bit more content, but from what I read in reviews, that is a chief complaint of the three volumes in the series. Sad panda.
I still plan on eventually obtaining the rest of the series (in hopefully excellent condition) along with Serenity: Better Days and Serenity: the Shepherd's Tale. I'm looking forward to that one the most. I'e been dying to know the details about the good shepherd for the longest time!
If you're reading this and have never heard of Firefly or Serenity, I urge you to get a free trial of Netflix and watch it. You won't be sorry.
First off, I love the art. It's phenomenal. I can't find a thing wrong with the artists' depictions of each character. Mal's face isn't quite as lovable, but that is neither here nor there. I loved that it was all still Whedon's trademark snark and bite in the dialogue (yes I know, he wrote it). I wasn't sure how well it would translate into text, but it did and I love it.
My only gripe is that it felt so short. I know it's pictures and dialogue, but it took me several lunch hours to finish the first Dark Tower graphic novel, and I was tearing through that pretty quickly. I would love for it to have a bit more content, but from what I read in reviews, that is a chief complaint of the three volumes in the series. Sad panda.
I still plan on eventually obtaining the rest of the series (in hopefully excellent condition) along with Serenity: Better Days and Serenity: the Shepherd's Tale. I'm looking forward to that one the most. I'e been dying to know the details about the good shepherd for the longest time!
If you're reading this and have never heard of Firefly or Serenity, I urge you to get a free trial of Netflix and watch it. You won't be sorry.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Sherlock - SPOILERS!
Fair warning right now, I'm postin' some spoilers! So, turn back now and whatnot.
So, I didn't get into Sherlock until recently and watched the entirety of two seasons in about two months. I know that seems a little off for me, especially considering there are only six episodes. I was watching them with a friend and plans changed and I got tired of waiting. I kept forgetting I had one episode left. Finally watched it last night... I don't know how I quite feel about it. I mean, everything was as wonderful as all the previous episodes.
The ending was quite touching, with John telling Sherlock not to be dead. Of course, he isn't dead, as shown in the last scene. I just hate having to wait for the next season to see how exactly they faked Sherlock's death. Or was that his doppelganger? And is Moriarty actually dead too? I know that Moffat is saying there is something that everyone missed... Well, I get that. It's freaking Sherlock. But, there isn't much recovering from a bullet through the brain pan, or jumping off a building. I know Molly factors in, I just don't grasp how. I could probably watch the whole thing again, but that would require taking it a part instead of being intelligently entertained, and where is the fun in that?
So, we wait.
So, I didn't get into Sherlock until recently and watched the entirety of two seasons in about two months. I know that seems a little off for me, especially considering there are only six episodes. I was watching them with a friend and plans changed and I got tired of waiting. I kept forgetting I had one episode left. Finally watched it last night... I don't know how I quite feel about it. I mean, everything was as wonderful as all the previous episodes.
The ending was quite touching, with John telling Sherlock not to be dead. Of course, he isn't dead, as shown in the last scene. I just hate having to wait for the next season to see how exactly they faked Sherlock's death. Or was that his doppelganger? And is Moriarty actually dead too? I know that Moffat is saying there is something that everyone missed... Well, I get that. It's freaking Sherlock. But, there isn't much recovering from a bullet through the brain pan, or jumping off a building. I know Molly factors in, I just don't grasp how. I could probably watch the whole thing again, but that would require taking it a part instead of being intelligently entertained, and where is the fun in that?
So, we wait.
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