In reponse to allegations that my last blog was like an english essay, I say:
OMG!!!111!1!1!1 Lokw, h0w d4r3 uu sy th47 1 m g00d @ 3ngl15h!11!!1!
Well, back to sanity. I'll make this one a proper blog, then.
Today is the last day of half term, and freedom. Two main things have happened : Valentine's Day (none of your business) and house-sitting!.
From 12:05 on Thursday till 4:18 on Saturday, Julia's house, grounds and animals were under my nefarious control. After they left, my day was pretty uneventful really. I taught myself how to play chess (using the ever-fruitful magic of www.everything2.com) and can now talk authoritively of gambits, castling and the halloween attack.
Also in my pursuit of intellectual hobbies, I have starting training myself in cryptic crosswords - I remain terrible, but hopefully I'll improve with practise.
I woke up at 8(ish) on the Friday, turned the boiler on (after several minutes waiting for the shower to warm up), had a shower, and fed Julia's pets.
I then generally mosied around, read Lord of the Rings for a bit, taught myself Japanese, etc, till around 11 when Andrena showed up.
She was returning from her Greek lesson, and decided to pop in, so I made some tea and we talked - mostly about universities. Then my Dad and sister came round, and we took Scamp for her walk round the park.
All was well, till disaster struck - while tugging on the recalcitrant Scamp, her collar slipped right off her neck! She scampered off happily, leaving me to chase after her to restrain her again - my father and sister sniggering away in the background. We bought sandwhiches, had lunch, then I walked back home with my sister to catch up on developments there.
On my arrival, I discovered my first two university prospectuses had arrived! One for Durham, and one for SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies). My mother had made me a rice pudding (removed from her work, she has become bored in the daytime so has resorted to baking on epic proportions. On Saturday, she made: a loaf of bread, muffins, biscuits, rolls, and a lasagne). After the rice pudding and a failed bannana smoothie, I waddled back to Julia's with the remains of the rice pudding in my bag.
Didn't do much for the rest of Friday...started a history essay, more crosswords and chess, and I watched the Eastenders 20th Anniversary Special! Fun fun fun. Oh, and the Simpsons.
Then I went to bed and read some more of Lord of the Rings.
Saturday...woke up around the same time, forgot about the boiler again...same old same old. I couldn't motivate myself to walk Scamp alone, so I rang Andrena (being the friend who lived closest to Julia's) and asked her for her company, to which she agreed. I made myself beans on toast, then it was off to the park, for yet more university talk.
Then I went to the market in town, to browse round the book stall and buy some roses for Julia for her homecoming. Back to Julia's, spell of flower arranging and vacuuming, and Julia's family were home.
I received £20 for my custodial work, which went straight into Julia's back pocket...now I only owe her £10!
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Friday, February 18, 2005
First Lines
Instead of boring you with the trivial matters of my everyday life, today, I shall look at a very crucial aspect of literature: First Lines. Being the first thing one reads of a book, they can serve a valuable purpose in both setting the general tone of the book, and to draw the reader in. However, many first lines fulfill neither of these roles, yet go on to be absolutely amazing books. I'm not going to try and establish a link between first lines and the quality/type of book, as that is beyond my scope, but I will look at some examples.
[Note - I shall define first lines as the first sentence of the first chapter, ignoring prologues/introductions/etc]
We shall begin with JRR Tolkein's class, "The Lord of the Rings."
"When Mr Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton."
Here is an excellent example of one of the first line's functions - establishing background. Three names are mentioned, to give the reader a sense of knowledge and familiarity immediately, and also to establish a link with the trilogy's prequel, "The Hobbit."
From this first line, we can imply that Hobbiton is a close-knit and friendly community, without many troubles - an impression built upon in the next couple of chapters, to provide a stark contrast to the deepening darkness of the rest of the book.
Tolkein also establishes key facts of the world in which the book it is set - not our own, yet related to it. An unknown word ("eleventy-first") gives us a sense, however minor, of foreignness and curiosity.
Altogether, a rather unwieldy first line, yet one that fits in well with the theme and purpose of the next couple of chapters.
Next, Bernard Conwell's "Enemy of God":
"Today I have been thinking about the dead."
A stark contrast to Tolkein's line, this one serves an entirely different purpose. It gives us no information of the world in which this is set, but it is short and dramatic, establishing immediate intrigue and drama.
It is very striking, by the use of the first person, the immediate tense, and the use of the word 'dead'. Instantly we are set to thinking about who this character should be, which dead, and most importantly, why. However bad the rest of the book may be (I have no idea, I have never read it), the author is guaranteed for the reader to read on at least a couple more paragraphs before they gauge the quality of the book.
Next, Ian Rankin's "Let it Bleed":
"A winter night, screaming out of Edinburgh."
Again, a very different style. Rather than a character-based sentence, this one is purely abstract, with no mention of any personification. However, it does immediately let us know that it is set in the modern real world, that which we live in (at least, it does if you've heard of Edinburgh). It also creates immediate excitement, encouraging further reading.
This sentence is also quite cryptic - it makes little sense when read individually. We know that there is a winter night, and something screaming out of Edinburgh - but no hint as to what the 'something' may be, whether animal, vegetable or mineral.
Personally, I thought immediately of a car leaving Edinburgh at high speeds, but I don't know about the general impression.
More later. Comments encouraged.
[Note - I shall define first lines as the first sentence of the first chapter, ignoring prologues/introductions/etc]
We shall begin with JRR Tolkein's class, "The Lord of the Rings."
"When Mr Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton."
Here is an excellent example of one of the first line's functions - establishing background. Three names are mentioned, to give the reader a sense of knowledge and familiarity immediately, and also to establish a link with the trilogy's prequel, "The Hobbit."
From this first line, we can imply that Hobbiton is a close-knit and friendly community, without many troubles - an impression built upon in the next couple of chapters, to provide a stark contrast to the deepening darkness of the rest of the book.
Tolkein also establishes key facts of the world in which the book it is set - not our own, yet related to it. An unknown word ("eleventy-first") gives us a sense, however minor, of foreignness and curiosity.
Altogether, a rather unwieldy first line, yet one that fits in well with the theme and purpose of the next couple of chapters.
Next, Bernard Conwell's "Enemy of God":
"Today I have been thinking about the dead."
A stark contrast to Tolkein's line, this one serves an entirely different purpose. It gives us no information of the world in which this is set, but it is short and dramatic, establishing immediate intrigue and drama.
It is very striking, by the use of the first person, the immediate tense, and the use of the word 'dead'. Instantly we are set to thinking about who this character should be, which dead, and most importantly, why. However bad the rest of the book may be (I have no idea, I have never read it), the author is guaranteed for the reader to read on at least a couple more paragraphs before they gauge the quality of the book.
Next, Ian Rankin's "Let it Bleed":
"A winter night, screaming out of Edinburgh."
Again, a very different style. Rather than a character-based sentence, this one is purely abstract, with no mention of any personification. However, it does immediately let us know that it is set in the modern real world, that which we live in (at least, it does if you've heard of Edinburgh). It also creates immediate excitement, encouraging further reading.
This sentence is also quite cryptic - it makes little sense when read individually. We know that there is a winter night, and something screaming out of Edinburgh - but no hint as to what the 'something' may be, whether animal, vegetable or mineral.
Personally, I thought immediately of a car leaving Edinburgh at high speeds, but I don't know about the general impression.
More later. Comments encouraged.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
A Thorny Issue
My mother has returned, and last night we enjoyed a very nice takeaway chinese to celebrate. After staying up to watch World Shut Your Mouth and random TV, I staggered off to bed at about half 12. I woke up this morning at around 9, and rang Julia at 10 - assuming she'd be awake by then. Of course, she was still in bed.
Which leads me nicely to universities.
University is a thorny issue. Which university, which course? Should you go at all? We've started looking at universities at my school (earlier than most, I admit, which I approve of). Now then...
Which University?
A good one, obviously. However, it is difficult to decide which are good. Oxbridge of course - I'm applying to Oxford - but others need to be looked at for my other choices. A large part of my decisions will come do to where it is - I'm not keen on going to university in Manchester or London. It largely depends on the course, as well - I'd like to pick one good for my course, but not necessarily the best in case I'm not good enough to get in. Good ones for the Maths, I've heard, are Bath, York, Warwick. I'll have to wait till they start releasing their new prospectuses to decide in any way though.
Which Course?
Ask me a couple of months ago, I'd have said "Maths!". Ask me a month ago, I'd have said "Maths...or Maths and Philosophy!". Ask me now, and I say "Something with maths...probably."
Why the indecision? Well, I am good at maths, but am I good enough to do a three year degree course in it? Is it the one I'll enjoy the most? There are many other courses I'd be interested in - Oriental Studies, Economics, Ancient History, Theology...
It's still almost definitely maths though...but I'm keeping my options open.
Should I go to university at all?
Yes.
Of course, this is not to say that not going to university is a bad choice in general, just to me - I've always wanted to go to university, and to change my mind now would be betraying myself.
Which leads me nicely to universities.
University is a thorny issue. Which university, which course? Should you go at all? We've started looking at universities at my school (earlier than most, I admit, which I approve of). Now then...
Which University?
A good one, obviously. However, it is difficult to decide which are good. Oxbridge of course - I'm applying to Oxford - but others need to be looked at for my other choices. A large part of my decisions will come do to where it is - I'm not keen on going to university in Manchester or London. It largely depends on the course, as well - I'd like to pick one good for my course, but not necessarily the best in case I'm not good enough to get in. Good ones for the Maths, I've heard, are Bath, York, Warwick. I'll have to wait till they start releasing their new prospectuses to decide in any way though.
Which Course?
Ask me a couple of months ago, I'd have said "Maths!". Ask me a month ago, I'd have said "Maths...or Maths and Philosophy!". Ask me now, and I say "Something with maths...probably."
Why the indecision? Well, I am good at maths, but am I good enough to do a three year degree course in it? Is it the one I'll enjoy the most? There are many other courses I'd be interested in - Oriental Studies, Economics, Ancient History, Theology...
It's still almost definitely maths though...but I'm keeping my options open.
Should I go to university at all?
Yes.
Of course, this is not to say that not going to university is a bad choice in general, just to me - I've always wanted to go to university, and to change my mind now would be betraying myself.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Dawnshade
Hello everyone, me again. Well, it would be, since I'm the owner of this blog.
It has been....a long time, I'm sure, since my last blog, so I'll just try to fill you in on the major events of my life recently - for convenience's sake, starting from 1st January 2005.
Had my January modules almost immediately after returning to school. I felt suitably self-pitying and hard done by, as I had 5 exams, while others, such as Alex, had just one General Studies exam. For completeness' sake:
History Document Study :: Nazi Germany
Economics :: The Market System (or somesuch)
Maths :: Core 1
General Studies :: Culture, the Arts, and Pointless Long Words
Religious Studies :: Foundation to the study of Islam/Philosophy
I feel they all went pretty well, though I won't find out till the 10th March. RE especially I am most worried about, as I have no way of assessing how well I did until that little slip of paper comes back.
After my mere two week study leave, I was pitched back into the helter skelter of regular school life, and...not much happened that I can remember in that department. Only two things of any import have in fact happened since:
The Sixth Form Ball, Saturday 5th February. If you'd like detail on this, just refer to Julia's blog, and her worryingly comprehensive account. I feel it necessary to add, however, that I tied my own bow tie! Though it did occupy half an hour of my life learning how, I feel it was worth it.
Also, my mother. A couple of weeks ago, while attending business in Germany, she had an epileptic fit and collapsed, and has been in hospital over there. Fortunately, she is returning home some time tomorrow morning, and all is well again - I am saved from scraping together meals from corned beef and beans, and lugging clothes and school books between my Dad's and Julia's.
A couple of days (?) ago, I joined NationStates, and have found it a most intriguing past-time. Embracing my geek heritage, I have found my imagination alive recently with complex government heirarchies and social-economic policies for my fledgling nation, which require a proper piece of writing to do them justice - that shall have to wait till half term, when I am given respite from my backlog of essays for a short while. In case you're interested, I am the Sultanate of Fiol - telegrams welcome.
Aah yes, half term. That idylic time of daytime television and plans abandoned due to chronic laziness. Well, not this time! I have four (yes, four! Just count them! I know you won't!) essays to do over half term, so I really can't afford to put them off till the last day again. I have a good incentive to do work however, as I am....
House sitting!!!
Yes, that's right. For two nights and two days, Julia and her family are giving me Supreme Executive Power over her house and grounds. While they go 'up north' to visit 'relatives', someone is needed to care for their two cats and dog, and who better than the itinerant tradesman at their door. I hope that such solitude will motivate me to do some work and do some proper reading....hopefully.
Aah yes, reading. I intend to read Lord of the Rings, or at least try. On previous attempts, I have found the writing so dull and uninspired that it was futile to continue - which I consider a shame, as from what I have read in scholarly essays and heard from academic debates on the subject, I consider the world one of a rich and varied background, an apt analogy to our own chaotic times, and as one that shall both inspire and regulate future generations' forays into the fantasy jungle.....OK, I saw the film and thought it looked cool.
But I do want to read it.
Anyway, I am tired, and should have gone to bed 20 minutes ago, but I decided to blog (at nonnesuch's prodding).
Goodnight everyone.
It has been....a long time, I'm sure, since my last blog, so I'll just try to fill you in on the major events of my life recently - for convenience's sake, starting from 1st January 2005.
Had my January modules almost immediately after returning to school. I felt suitably self-pitying and hard done by, as I had 5 exams, while others, such as Alex, had just one General Studies exam. For completeness' sake:
History Document Study :: Nazi Germany
Economics :: The Market System (or somesuch)
Maths :: Core 1
General Studies :: Culture, the Arts, and Pointless Long Words
Religious Studies :: Foundation to the study of Islam/Philosophy
I feel they all went pretty well, though I won't find out till the 10th March. RE especially I am most worried about, as I have no way of assessing how well I did until that little slip of paper comes back.
After my mere two week study leave, I was pitched back into the helter skelter of regular school life, and...not much happened that I can remember in that department. Only two things of any import have in fact happened since:
The Sixth Form Ball, Saturday 5th February. If you'd like detail on this, just refer to Julia's blog, and her worryingly comprehensive account. I feel it necessary to add, however, that I tied my own bow tie! Though it did occupy half an hour of my life learning how, I feel it was worth it.
Also, my mother. A couple of weeks ago, while attending business in Germany, she had an epileptic fit and collapsed, and has been in hospital over there. Fortunately, she is returning home some time tomorrow morning, and all is well again - I am saved from scraping together meals from corned beef and beans, and lugging clothes and school books between my Dad's and Julia's.
A couple of days (?) ago, I joined NationStates, and have found it a most intriguing past-time. Embracing my geek heritage, I have found my imagination alive recently with complex government heirarchies and social-economic policies for my fledgling nation, which require a proper piece of writing to do them justice - that shall have to wait till half term, when I am given respite from my backlog of essays for a short while. In case you're interested, I am the Sultanate of Fiol - telegrams welcome.
Aah yes, half term. That idylic time of daytime television and plans abandoned due to chronic laziness. Well, not this time! I have four (yes, four! Just count them! I know you won't!) essays to do over half term, so I really can't afford to put them off till the last day again. I have a good incentive to do work however, as I am....
House sitting!!!
Yes, that's right. For two nights and two days, Julia and her family are giving me Supreme Executive Power over her house and grounds. While they go 'up north' to visit 'relatives', someone is needed to care for their two cats and dog, and who better than the itinerant tradesman at their door. I hope that such solitude will motivate me to do some work and do some proper reading....hopefully.
Aah yes, reading. I intend to read Lord of the Rings, or at least try. On previous attempts, I have found the writing so dull and uninspired that it was futile to continue - which I consider a shame, as from what I have read in scholarly essays and heard from academic debates on the subject, I consider the world one of a rich and varied background, an apt analogy to our own chaotic times, and as one that shall both inspire and regulate future generations' forays into the fantasy jungle.....OK, I saw the film and thought it looked cool.
But I do want to read it.
Anyway, I am tired, and should have gone to bed 20 minutes ago, but I decided to blog (at nonnesuch's prodding).
Goodnight everyone.
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