The Beginning of the End

So, I went to see Harry Potter today, with Reece. David Yates well and truly redeemed himself for the disasters of OotP and HBP. DHp1 was stunning considering how much it cut (weeks and weeks at a time were skipped, but it was necessary. The book just wasn't designed for adaptation). I had to explain a bit to Reece, who isn't a fan of the series and has never read the books. But I spent most of my time holding back tears. It was as emotional as the book - I positively bawled for Dobby, and as the film cuts off not long after that, it's painful to have to leave the cinema. Dobby's death was wonderfully done.

Everything felt right about this film, even the bits they added for dramatic effect. One of my favourite scenes in the film was actually an added one - where Harry and Hermione are dancing in the tent. Heartwrenching.

So yes, beautifully done, and I'm looking forward to see how Yates has tackled p2.

In related news: Reece managed to sit through watching me lose it over a Potter film, which he's never had to deal with before, and didn't run screaming. Therefore, he's a keeper. :P

Has anyone else seen DH yet? Tell me what you thought :)

A New Venture

So, I'm working on this new story, right? I'm kinda stuck on Hybrid (again) so I decided to start something else. I'm not sure if it's a short or a novel at this point in time. Probably a novel, knowing me. It's called Electric Angels, and my MC is Zillah Scordato, a twentysomething tattoo artist who just so happens to be a badass angel chick.

The issue I'm having is that I have NO FREAKING CLUE where I'm going with this. I've got this mental image of angels being totally badass with "wings" made of... kind of lightning. That's the image I've got. "Rawr I ZAP YOU, MOFO!" *shrugs*



That's how I picture Zillah. But... add tattoos.

But I need a plot. Right now, I'm writing crap. Seriously. It's BAD. But at the same time, I need to write it, y'know? There just so happens to be a distinct lack of purpose.

Guess Who's Back?

It has been entirely too long since I last posted, thanks to the rampant chaos of school. Well, I had my final exam EVER today, my graduation ceremony is in two weeks and I am FREE. TOTALLY FREE.

Therefore, I can now post regularly.

Right now, I have not much at all to say. I've got Tim back, so I'm typing from the comfort of my bed. Which is wonderful. I've been doing as much writing as possible. I deleted five thousand words... ah, well.

I think that's all I have to say for now. This is mostly just a post to let my faithful readers know that I'm still kicking.

Plot Horribleness.

So, today, while working on Hybrid on my day off, I came to the kind of realisation that writers hate.

There is a hole.

In my plot.

A rather sizeable hole COVERING TWO MONTHS OF ACTION.

I damn near had a panic attack. But that's okay. Because Mire and I had an Emergency Plot Session that was interrupted by bits of evidence of our combined lack of concentration.

We are officially going to the HP themepark in costume when I get to America. I'm Bellatrix. She's Hermione. It's going to be AWESOME.

But yes. I have solved the Plot Problem thanks to Mire and no thanks at all to the Plot Monster. It has been solved in a most diabolical manner, of course.

And I have not much more to say... oh, I suppose I could talk about my mental instability. I have started going to counselling again (first time since I was fourteen) in an attempt to stabilise. So yeah. I'll keep y'all posted on that.

The Road

Ok, after the insane fangirlishness of my last post, I'm going to be More Sophisticated today. And make Mireyah hate me (love ya, Mire! :P).

Ok. Book review. The Road by Cormac McCarthy.

Set at an uncertain time, in the not-too-distant future (it is assumed), in America (mostly assumed), a man and his son walk south in search of warmth post-apocalypse. The Road is a chilling, mostly depressing novel that is also absolutely stunning.

McCarthy abandons a few conventions; there are no chapters, no names, no quotation marks, "incorrect" paragraphing and some words - such as "don't" and "won't" - are written minus apostrophes. If I can move past this - seriously, I've been known to correct toothpaste boxes - anyone can. It fits the story perfectly and makes it even more uncomfortable, which is exactly what McCarthy is after.

The Road is really a critical look at human nature as well as a bleak outlook for the future. There is no hope in this book. None at all. And it is hard to read - I know a lot of people in my class (we're studying it in English, okay?) had trouble because of the ideas in it. There is some... not violence, but things are inferred that send shivers down your spine. Even I was a bit shivery. People refuse to finish this book. But please, do. It's completely worth the stunning, shocking, heartwrenching ending.

Just... please, please, please, for the love of all things good and decent and terrifying in this world, read it.

Five stars, hands down. Just do it.

Whom Do We Love?

Today I shall share with you some Scottish Eye Candy. Specifically Ewan McGregor.


I mean... yum. Seriously. YUM.



*drools* Look at his EYES.



nom nom nom nom.



EWAN IN A TOP HAT. *is in heaven*



Oh my Lord he has scruffy hair.

So. Yes. I LOVE EWAN MCGREGOR DAMN HIM FOR BEING MARRIED WITH CHILDREN. *sigh* He's so yummy... and SCOTTISH... and he was Obi-Wan... and that guy in The Island... and (poor guy) Ian Rider in Stormbreaker... and he SANG AND DANCED AND WAS SEXY in Moulin Rouge and and and and and *swoon*

:D

Too Long

Ok, it has been far too long since I last posted. Sorry. You know how life gets sometimes...

However. Today, I have a TOPIC. *grin*

It is even of a serious, comment-on-politics-and-law kind of nature. I will not apologise for this. :)

Ok, I read in the paper at work yesterday that France has brought in a new law, making psychological violence a crime punishable by law. The sentence can be up to three years' imprisonment with a hefty fine (forgive me, I can't remember the exact value). SO basically, if someone is psychologically abusive (including threats of violence, manipulation... the whole kit and kaboodle) they can be imprisoned.

I'm all for it, personally. I wish Australia had a law like that three years ago. Having been a victim of psychological abuse at the hands of a boy who managed to control me completely for over two years, to the point that I attempted suicide out of horror for what I'd allowed to happen, I'm all for anything that would see people like that locked up. God knows they deserve it; no-one should be able to wield that kind of power.

But I am wondering just how effective this law would be. I mean, generally victims of abuse don't consider themselves a victim. I'm speaking from experience here; I never would have reported my ex. In my mind, at that time, I deserved it and it was my fault. So it would really, in most cases, be up to others to report the crime.

I think the French have done a good thing here. I think other countries should follow suit. But I just don't think it's going to work in practice. There are a lot of victims out there.