On the second Friday of term 3 I did something I've always wanted to do; gave a speech to an assembly. For a while now I've wanted to do this, to see if I could do it. The school auditorium was basically full, so that's about 400 people. 800 eyes looking at me, listening to me- what's not to like?
When I first heard about this debate, I was psyched. I even thought up the moot. It was all downhill from there. People were pulling out and not showing up; I was certain it was going to be a disaster. I even, uncharacteristically, tried to pull out; the last thing I wanted to do was make a fool of myself in front of hundreds of people. Miss Hawkes encouraged us, however, and, afterwards, thanked us profusely. Turns out the TravelWise assembly had required a debate, or she had promised one or something. All's well that ends well, right?
The moot was: students living within a 2km radius of the school have to walk or cycle to and from the grounds on a daily basis.
I was in support of this idea, and was first speaker of the affirmative team.
My speech wasn't the exemplar of debating perfection, but I think it at least sounded good. My criticism is that it was too narrow; I focused on just one point, and even though I discussed it in detail, it was not a major part of our argument for this idea. I think now that it should have been mentioned it in passing, then briefly elaborated (if that makes sense) and that I should have focused on more relative issues (as in relative to youth)
I did write most of it the night before, so cut me some slack.
Anyway. You might be wondering what I was talking about in the previous paragraph. I focused on, surprise surprise, pollution. You know, how the air pollution caused by cars is damaging the environment, and of course I mentioned global warming. You can probably see now what I mean. This subject was more of a bonus than a major issue to this topic- not something a whole speech should be related to.
Most of these doubts probably stem from the fact that the council members smiled and nodded their heads appreciatively and approvingly while my partner Seamus spoke, but didn't for me.
Yeah, we had two on two debate.
The other team was Tania and Gabrielle.
This debate wasn't marked, but I think that we would have won, solely based on the fact that the other two were less confident.
Confident, you say? Of course. When I first heard (an hour before the debate) that we would be speaking in front of the year 7 and 8 assembly, as well as the deputy mayor, I got nervous, and freaked out. When I walked into the auditorium, I got a few butterflies, but when I got on the stage, I didn't feel nervous at all. I'm serious, I felt utterly normal and at ease. It was such a pleasant surprise!
I think I gave quite a good delivery, and now I am looking forward to doing it better the next time.
I'm not going to bore you with the whole speech, so keep reading, but I am going to type up a paragraph or two.
Just a few chemicals car exhaust fumes contain are carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and benzene. These substances have been shown to produce affects on blood and bone marrow, These chemicals are in the air you breathe, and your blood can carry more than just oxygen. How do you feel to know that those chemicals may very well be inside you right now, interfering with red blood cell formation and shortening the life span of the cells of which you are made?
It's simple; it's obvious: reduced driving= reduced emissions. Making students walk of cycle to school is a way we can do our part to protect environment, and our own health. 2km is a short distance and can be easily traversed in 20 minutes, at a leisurely pace.
Every little bit counts,and an action such as this would make a good contribution, as well as setting a positive example and upholding our reputation of being oh-so clean and green. I hope you are aware of the damage car emissions are doing to the environment and our health, but also understand the small actions needed to target this problem. Students living within a 2km radius of their school should walk or cycle there, and I trust you now see why.
So, what do you think? Pretty snazzy, huh?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Speeches
Speeches. Public speaking. Most people cringe at the mention of those words. I've heard it's the biggest fear of the adult population. Getting up there, in front of everybody, everyone staring at you...well, it doesn't worry me one bit. I used to be scared, but now I have decided to enjoy it. Now I am focusing on improving, and becoming a great public speaker, not just someone who can do it.
For this year's speech in English class I decided to do the speech on The Brain. My topic wasn't that broad, we only had 3-5 minutes, but that's what I told anybody that asked. My speech was about sight and the brain. I mentioned three cognitive phenomenons intertwined with a lot of lame jokes.
This, I think, was my best speech so far. First of, the topic seemed to fit all the criteria. I found it interesting, it was relative, there were audience interactions, it was even humorous. My presentation went pretty much by the book, too. The beginning grabbed the audiences attention, I spoke slowly and clearly (thanks, debating), made eye-contact and varied my tone and pitch.
It wasn't perfect, though. I completely mucked up the start of one topic, and ended up saying 'sorry, I'll just start that again'. The most horrible bit was a certain movie that buffered for about a minute. I hadn't planned for that. I talked for a little bit, then asked if anyone had questions. It was so awkward. I freaked out- if my speech had been a joke, that clip was the punchline. It finally came on though, what a relief!
The main pre-speech worry was also concerning this video. It relied on people not paying attention, and I was worried that it wouldn't work. That everyone would just see the thing and I would be ruined. Luckily, that did not occur. Everyone, expect Seamus in Josh (who I still doubt) performed just as scientists had predicted. The people in my class liked the video and the flicker image; it was nice to pull something off.
The first experiment didn't work though- no one saw the black flash. My friends and some lovely people in my class put their hands up anyway. I think to see the flash requires time and concentration.
I'm remembering all the bad stuff now, ew!
Next speech, also, I have to remember my slides (and not have a picture of a clock pop up right after you;ve finished talking about it).
Anyway, here are a few excerpts from my speech. It was a lot better than I have made out, I am quite proud of myself.
-clears throat-
It’s over three quarter’s water.
For this year's speech in English class I decided to do the speech on The Brain. My topic wasn't that broad, we only had 3-5 minutes, but that's what I told anybody that asked. My speech was about sight and the brain. I mentioned three cognitive phenomenons intertwined with a lot of lame jokes.
This, I think, was my best speech so far. First of, the topic seemed to fit all the criteria. I found it interesting, it was relative, there were audience interactions, it was even humorous. My presentation went pretty much by the book, too. The beginning grabbed the audiences attention, I spoke slowly and clearly (thanks, debating), made eye-contact and varied my tone and pitch.
It wasn't perfect, though. I completely mucked up the start of one topic, and ended up saying 'sorry, I'll just start that again'. The most horrible bit was a certain movie that buffered for about a minute. I hadn't planned for that. I talked for a little bit, then asked if anyone had questions. It was so awkward. I freaked out- if my speech had been a joke, that clip was the punchline. It finally came on though, what a relief!
The main pre-speech worry was also concerning this video. It relied on people not paying attention, and I was worried that it wouldn't work. That everyone would just see the thing and I would be ruined. Luckily, that did not occur. Everyone, expect Seamus in Josh (who I still doubt) performed just as scientists had predicted. The people in my class liked the video and the flicker image; it was nice to pull something off.
The first experiment didn't work though- no one saw the black flash. My friends and some lovely people in my class put their hands up anyway. I think to see the flash requires time and concentration.
I'm remembering all the bad stuff now, ew!
Next speech, also, I have to remember my slides (and not have a picture of a clock pop up right after you;ve finished talking about it).
Anyway, here are a few excerpts from my speech. It was a lot better than I have made out, I am quite proud of myself.
-clears throat-
It’s over three quarter’s water.
It weighs about 1.4 kilo.
It can’t feel pain and it generates more electrical impulses in one day than all the phones in the world.
YOUR BRAIN
Okay, so you might think that you and your brain are like best friends. I mean, you’ve known each other forever. It must be on your side, and of course it would tell you the truth, right? Wrong.
Yes, your brain is initially on your side, but sometimes, it deceives you, distorts your view of the world, and, well, sometimes, it’s just plain lazy.
If you want to see something amazing, click here. Look at the clip and count the number of passes the team in white shirts makes to one another. Don't cheat. Read the paragraph after. Do it.
Alright, how many did you count? But who saw the gorilla? No one saw the gorilla?
I’m not crazy, watch it again, and look out for the person in the gorilla suit.
This is the most famous example of inattention blindness, conducted at the
What you have just experienced is known as ‘inattention blindness”. Basically, you haven’t got enough attention to go around. You are too busy concentrating on one thing, to notice something you would usually. To work, though, the distraction has to be unexpected. Real-life examples of inattention blindness happen everyday. Ever heard some involved in a car accident saying that they ‘simply didn’t see’ the other car?
During my speech today, I hope I have taught you something. I trust that you now understand that seeing really isn’t believing. Perhaps, I have even helped you begin to realise how amazing, yet not always factual, the human brain is.
But I know I have succeeded, because next time you find yourself in fourth block, staring at the clock, you’ll think of me, and some half remembered garbage about your brain and you eyes.
Friday, September 26, 2008
What a relief
It's the holidays. They are finally here!
What a complete relief. Two blissful weeks await.
It's only four minutes to two this Saturday, and my day has already been truly holiday-esque. I woke up around the usual time, and then, luxuriously, went back to sleep. When I finally did awake, it was to the smell of pancakes. What a delight! I dozed, the warm, sweet scent lingering about me, feeling rather at peace with the world. It such a simple pleasure; stretching among the cozy sheets of my bed, opaque light streaming through my curtains.
After I could no longer resist the smell of the wholemeal pancakes, I hopped out of bed, and greeted my family. The smell was stronger out in the lounge, and air slightly smoky; it was all quite delicious. After a warm serving of these treats, accompanied by vanilla yogurt, I went back to bed and read my book. I am currently engrossed in the vampire romance, Twilight. I started yesterday afternoon, and I have already flipped page 200.
I love being really into a book, when the character's thought are yours, and you can lose yourself among the story for hours. Reading, among other things, is how I relax.
I eventually pulled myself away from Bella and Edward to get dressed. It put on my new blue jumper, which is long, and has about 7 multi-coloured stripes across it. The garment sounds horrid, but it actually is nice. We were going to go visit my grandfather in hospital. He has just had a operation, bless him. My dad is not feeling to well himself, and we agreed that it was inconsiderate to go to a hospital when you have the flu.
As an alternative course of action, we went to buy circus tickets. I'm so excited. Better yet, we are in VIP ring-side seats. We're going tonight; it's going to be such a blast.
We went then to go and buy fish'n'chips, which I really wasn't in the mood for. We went down to the beach, and I had some overly-oily, heart-disease-causing chips and a potato fritter. Our family doesn't usually ever eat like this, and this meal was just another confirmation of why.
When we returned home, my brother and I went to shoot hoops in the garden. We have been doing this daily for the last couple of days. It is another way just to unwind, and I always feel so guilty being inside when it's beautiful out.
I then read some more. A little while later, I decided to temporarily leave Forks to write this blog entry.
For the first time in ages, Ms. Wilson checked our blogs on the Smart Board in class. My link didn't even work, but she congratulated people who had just one entry this month, so I think I'm fine.
Oh, another thing. Guess what I dreamed about last night? No, not another chemistry nightmare. We, as in our class, were sitting in our science class, and Ms. Wilson called me over. She then informed me that she wanted me to do both NCEA Level 1 and 2 next year. I freaked out, and just kept saying 'What!' over and over again. Then I started explaining to her about the sun expanding and encompassing Earth in 11 billion years, and then it kind of got hazy.
Dreams are fascinating, don't you think? Either way, my parents still laughed at me when I told them about it.
I guess that's all for now. These holidays are going to be great. I'm going to hang out with my friends lots, go to the beach heaps, and read a number of good books.
And, if you hadn't already came to this conclusion; yes, I am feeling rather optimistic.
What a complete relief. Two blissful weeks await.
It's only four minutes to two this Saturday, and my day has already been truly holiday-esque. I woke up around the usual time, and then, luxuriously, went back to sleep. When I finally did awake, it was to the smell of pancakes. What a delight! I dozed, the warm, sweet scent lingering about me, feeling rather at peace with the world. It such a simple pleasure; stretching among the cozy sheets of my bed, opaque light streaming through my curtains.
After I could no longer resist the smell of the wholemeal pancakes, I hopped out of bed, and greeted my family. The smell was stronger out in the lounge, and air slightly smoky; it was all quite delicious. After a warm serving of these treats, accompanied by vanilla yogurt, I went back to bed and read my book. I am currently engrossed in the vampire romance, Twilight. I started yesterday afternoon, and I have already flipped page 200.
I love being really into a book, when the character's thought are yours, and you can lose yourself among the story for hours. Reading, among other things, is how I relax.
I eventually pulled myself away from Bella and Edward to get dressed. It put on my new blue jumper, which is long, and has about 7 multi-coloured stripes across it. The garment sounds horrid, but it actually is nice. We were going to go visit my grandfather in hospital. He has just had a operation, bless him. My dad is not feeling to well himself, and we agreed that it was inconsiderate to go to a hospital when you have the flu.
As an alternative course of action, we went to buy circus tickets. I'm so excited. Better yet, we are in VIP ring-side seats. We're going tonight; it's going to be such a blast.
We went then to go and buy fish'n'chips, which I really wasn't in the mood for. We went down to the beach, and I had some overly-oily, heart-disease-causing chips and a potato fritter. Our family doesn't usually ever eat like this, and this meal was just another confirmation of why.
When we returned home, my brother and I went to shoot hoops in the garden. We have been doing this daily for the last couple of days. It is another way just to unwind, and I always feel so guilty being inside when it's beautiful out.
I then read some more. A little while later, I decided to temporarily leave Forks to write this blog entry.
For the first time in ages, Ms. Wilson checked our blogs on the Smart Board in class. My link didn't even work, but she congratulated people who had just one entry this month, so I think I'm fine.
Oh, another thing. Guess what I dreamed about last night? No, not another chemistry nightmare. We, as in our class, were sitting in our science class, and Ms. Wilson called me over. She then informed me that she wanted me to do both NCEA Level 1 and 2 next year. I freaked out, and just kept saying 'What!' over and over again. Then I started explaining to her about the sun expanding and encompassing Earth in 11 billion years, and then it kind of got hazy.
Dreams are fascinating, don't you think? Either way, my parents still laughed at me when I told them about it.
I guess that's all for now. These holidays are going to be great. I'm going to hang out with my friends lots, go to the beach heaps, and read a number of good books.
And, if you hadn't already came to this conclusion; yes, I am feeling rather optimistic.
Monday, September 22, 2008
My monologue
The sound of my feet beneath me is like my second heartbeat. It's so familiar to me now that...Oh no, how cliche does that sound?
2.15.25, who knows what that time represents? That's the fastest women's marathon time ever run, and it was run by me. Yeah right, that sounds like I'm well full of myself.
Okay, alright. Hi, my name's Paula Radcliffe, and I like to run.
That was the opening of my monologue.
A monologue, by definition, is a dramatic speech by a single actor (mono, meaning one; think mono-brow and monotone). This was our second drama assessment for the term. We had to pick a famous sports person and become them. We had to research them and find out not only about their achievements, but what it is that makes them who they are. How do they talk? How do they stand? What are their catchphrases, gestures and facial expressions? Since this information isn't usually recorded on Wikipedia or blogs, I watched many YouTube videos.
I've been a runner for as long as I can remember, and I think I always will be. It's what I love to do; I'm addicted. When I'm running I feel good, you know, I feel alive. But I don't like to make too big a deal about running, you know, cos' nearly everyone can do it.
If you hadn't processed the information above, I chose to do the English runner Paula Radcliffe. I saw her when I was watching the women's marathon in Beijing, ( as you probably know, she made quite a lasting impression). The more I found out about her, the more respect I gained for her. She's run four out of the five fastest women marathon times; she's (arguably) the best in the world. Plus, she seems to be really nice, and modest.
Winning, it isn't everything. I mean, I've had my fair share of loses and bad races. But crossing that finish line, arms raced, knowing that your the best, and that you've beaten everyone, well, it's what every athlete dreams of. Seeing my dad in the stands, smiling down at me; it's amazing. And seeing my husband, Gary, looking proud; nothing can beat that.
We were being marked on our use of drama techniques. That is things like voice, space, and movement. I am proud to say that I got an Excellence.
For voice, I did a (pretty bad) English accent, and varied the pitch and volume to match different emotions. I paced at the beginning (I was meant to be rehearsing for a speech), but for the most part stayed around the podium. I am quite glad; my performance had a climax; it was when I was talking about coming first. I came out to the front of the stage, and raised my voice and quickened the pace.
I went to the Beijing Olympics this year. I didn't do too smashing; I came 28th in the women's marathon, not a placing I'm really accustomed to, you know? I had my first child last year, little Isla...so I definitely wasn't at my peak. But don't you worry you, haven't seen the last of Paula Radcliffe. I'm just gonna keep running, keep training, and keep putting one foot in front of the other. There's not much else I can do really.
Hi, my name's Paula Radcliffe, and I like to run. [End]
I was quite pleased with my performance, and I enjoyed doing it, too. I didn't really get nervous, I'm kind of over that now. I'm more worried about giving a great performance, rather than just doing it, or remembering my lines. I would have liked to have drama next year, but the school only offers a full year course. I will probably try and do the school production again, though.
I have no witty conclusion to this post, sorry, so I will just end it here. Bye.
2.15.25, who knows what that time represents? That's the fastest women's marathon time ever run, and it was run by me. Yeah right, that sounds like I'm well full of myself.
Okay, alright. Hi, my name's Paula Radcliffe, and I like to run.
That was the opening of my monologue.
A monologue, by definition, is a dramatic speech by a single actor (mono, meaning one; think mono-brow and monotone). This was our second drama assessment for the term. We had to pick a famous sports person and become them. We had to research them and find out not only about their achievements, but what it is that makes them who they are. How do they talk? How do they stand? What are their catchphrases, gestures and facial expressions? Since this information isn't usually recorded on Wikipedia or blogs, I watched many YouTube videos.
I've been a runner for as long as I can remember, and I think I always will be. It's what I love to do; I'm addicted. When I'm running I feel good, you know, I feel alive. But I don't like to make too big a deal about running, you know, cos' nearly everyone can do it.
If you hadn't processed the information above, I chose to do the English runner Paula Radcliffe. I saw her when I was watching the women's marathon in Beijing, ( as you probably know, she made quite a lasting impression). The more I found out about her, the more respect I gained for her. She's run four out of the five fastest women marathon times; she's (arguably) the best in the world. Plus, she seems to be really nice, and modest.
Winning, it isn't everything. I mean, I've had my fair share of loses and bad races. But crossing that finish line, arms raced, knowing that your the best, and that you've beaten everyone, well, it's what every athlete dreams of. Seeing my dad in the stands, smiling down at me; it's amazing. And seeing my husband, Gary, looking proud; nothing can beat that.
We were being marked on our use of drama techniques. That is things like voice, space, and movement. I am proud to say that I got an Excellence.
For voice, I did a (pretty bad) English accent, and varied the pitch and volume to match different emotions. I paced at the beginning (I was meant to be rehearsing for a speech), but for the most part stayed around the podium. I am quite glad; my performance had a climax; it was when I was talking about coming first. I came out to the front of the stage, and raised my voice and quickened the pace.
I went to the Beijing Olympics this year. I didn't do too smashing; I came 28th in the women's marathon, not a placing I'm really accustomed to, you know? I had my first child last year, little Isla...so I definitely wasn't at my peak. But don't you worry you, haven't seen the last of Paula Radcliffe. I'm just gonna keep running, keep training, and keep putting one foot in front of the other. There's not much else I can do really.
Hi, my name's Paula Radcliffe, and I like to run. [End]
I was quite pleased with my performance, and I enjoyed doing it, too. I didn't really get nervous, I'm kind of over that now. I'm more worried about giving a great performance, rather than just doing it, or remembering my lines. I would have liked to have drama next year, but the school only offers a full year course. I will probably try and do the school production again, though.
I have no witty conclusion to this post, sorry, so I will just end it here. Bye.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
You only live once
Everyone has things that they want to do in their lifetime. Bungee jumping and sky-diving are popular among these 'before I die' lists, and they are certainly on mine. I have a large number of things that I really want to do; places I want to go; people I yearn to meet.
So, let's get started.
First off, to make the list authentic:
Bungee jumping.
Sky diving. Throwing myself of high objects just appeals to me, plus free-falling is a blast.
I want to...
Speak fluent French, and live in France.
See all the Parisian sights, and holiday in Nice (I hear it's really nice there).
Sail down the Nile.
Tramp around the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand and Stewart Island.
Buy a giant pretzel in America some where.
See the mini strawberry fields dedicated to John Lennon in Central Park, NY.
See my name in print- it would be fantastic to get published (I'm not sure what exactly it would be, though).
I want to go to the Olympics at least once. It would be amazing. (As a spectator, you idiot!)
And, I want to be an Olympic volunteer, and cycle next to the rowers, oh, and see Jörgen Persson win an Olympic gold medal for Ping-Pong.
I also want to go to a cheer-leading or gymnastics world championships (to watch, obviously)- it would be such a cool experience.
To run the London Half-Marathon, but firstly be able to run 21 km.
Have a white Christmas, and build a snowman with a carrot nose and everything.
To go to an American baseball game and go crazy (like everyone else), and get a foam finger!
Float in the Red Sea.
Dive in the Great Barrier Reef.
Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Climb the Harbour Bridge, and the Skytower, and also ab-sail of the latter.
Have tea and jaffa cakes in England somewhere.
Travel around London atop a double-decker red bus.
I want to go everywhere!
I don't know what I want to be, as in a career, but I know where I want that career to take me. I have goals.
Ever since I was a young girl, I have always said I wanted to be a 'household name'. I don't care about being movie-star famous, and I don't particularly want to be, but what I would like to be is renowned in my profession. Perhaps, if I became a doctor,within the international medical community I would like to be known as a great doctor.
Although sometimes, I yearn for more. I want to be remembered. I want to be looked up to, and studied in schools. I want some little boy or girl to hear about me 100 years from now; research me; find me interesting; be impressed and inspired.
But what I would have done remains unknown.
I refuse to doubt myself, I am going to make a positive difference to this world. That is the main goal, and that is going to happen.
I am going to do all those amazing things on my list, and more, you just wait!
So, let's get started.
First off, to make the list authentic:
Bungee jumping.
Sky diving. Throwing myself of high objects just appeals to me, plus free-falling is a blast.
I want to...
Speak fluent French, and live in France.
See all the Parisian sights, and holiday in Nice (I hear it's really nice there).
Sail down the Nile.
Tramp around the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand and Stewart Island.
Buy a giant pretzel in America some where.
See the mini strawberry fields dedicated to John Lennon in Central Park, NY.
See my name in print- it would be fantastic to get published (I'm not sure what exactly it would be, though).
I want to go to the Olympics at least once. It would be amazing. (As a spectator, you idiot!)
And, I want to be an Olympic volunteer, and cycle next to the rowers, oh, and see Jörgen Persson win an Olympic gold medal for Ping-Pong.
I also want to go to a cheer-leading or gymnastics world championships (to watch, obviously)- it would be such a cool experience.
To run the London Half-Marathon, but firstly be able to run 21 km.
Have a white Christmas, and build a snowman with a carrot nose and everything.
To go to an American baseball game and go crazy (like everyone else), and get a foam finger!
Float in the Red Sea.
Dive in the Great Barrier Reef.
Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Climb the Harbour Bridge, and the Skytower, and also ab-sail of the latter.
Have tea and jaffa cakes in England somewhere.
Travel around London atop a double-decker red bus.
I want to go everywhere!
I don't know what I want to be, as in a career, but I know where I want that career to take me. I have goals.
Ever since I was a young girl, I have always said I wanted to be a 'household name'. I don't care about being movie-star famous, and I don't particularly want to be, but what I would like to be is renowned in my profession. Perhaps, if I became a doctor,within the international medical community I would like to be known as a great doctor.
Although sometimes, I yearn for more. I want to be remembered. I want to be looked up to, and studied in schools. I want some little boy or girl to hear about me 100 years from now; research me; find me interesting; be impressed and inspired.
But what I would have done remains unknown.
I refuse to doubt myself, I am going to make a positive difference to this world. That is the main goal, and that is going to happen.
I am going to do all those amazing things on my list, and more, you just wait!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sunday grill
Every week I look forward to reading the Sunday paper, or, more specifically, the Sunday magazine and the Escape extra. I sometimes try to appear intelligent by reading the actual paper, and often an article catches my eye, though usually I just stick to these two literary...um, things. Anyway, there are many regular columns that I look forward to in both these magazines. The 'Shoe of the Week'; the recipes; 'going up, going down'... It's all good fun.
One page I always look forward to reading is titled the sunday grill. An interviewer asks the same set of questions to a different person each week. I'm unsure what the criteria for the kind of person interviewed is, though they usually have something to do with the arts. I'm unsure if the answers are always true, I think they just say whatever sounds witty. To the reader like me, sitting in bed trying to eat cereal (I stress the word trying), I don't mind at all.
I am going to answer theses questions now, to fill in the space of the rest of this entry. I will say that I am going to be truthful, mainly because I know I won't be funny.
-clears throat-
What do you so on Sunday morning? Sleep in, wake up, doze, read and eat.
Pink or red lipstick? Uh...Chapstick?
What are you like at parties? Either singing happy birthday, dancing, or mingling tastefully (it's true!).
What do you smell of? I'll go by what I smell of after cross country; Happy Belle for women (delicious smelling...picked it up at Meenoos in Fiji) or Love Knot (a knock-off perfume I got from the Easter show for five bucks), but most probably sports deodorant.
Who is the most stylish living person on the planet? I don't know, Gerard Way?
Tell us your best shoe memory: okay, let me set the scene. We were looking for new netball shoes; my other pair were in tatters. We went to Rebel Sports, and I looked at these beautiful black and white Asiscs gel netburner shoes. Gorgeous! They were $160 (I had actually looked at them weeks before, never expecting to get them). I tried on some running shoes form the same brand and they felt so great. Mum said, 'you can get both if you hurry up'. What a feeling! I went for a run that afternoon- it was like I was running on a cloud.
Give us three words to describe your style: style? lack there of. Okay, how about summery, and jean-based.
What part of your body do you neglect? My back, I haven't seen it in a while.
Who is your favourite New Zealand designer? I don't really know! I only am aware of two names, Trelise Cooper and Karen Walker.
Tell us your favourite song lyrics: tough choice, probably
I wanna see what your insides look like, I bet your not pretty on the inside
Bury me in black, My Chemical Romance.
What are the five shallow, materialistic things you can't live without? My water bottle, my current book, music, shoes, jeans.
What is your first thought when you see yourself in the morning? Hello, you.
Have you found yourself yet? (Can someone please tell me what this means?) If you mean my place in the world, or what I am meant to do, then no.
Well, that was brutal- way harder than I expected. Hoped you enjoyed it!
One page I always look forward to reading is titled the sunday grill. An interviewer asks the same set of questions to a different person each week. I'm unsure what the criteria for the kind of person interviewed is, though they usually have something to do with the arts. I'm unsure if the answers are always true, I think they just say whatever sounds witty. To the reader like me, sitting in bed trying to eat cereal (I stress the word trying), I don't mind at all.
I am going to answer theses questions now, to fill in the space of the rest of this entry. I will say that I am going to be truthful, mainly because I know I won't be funny.
-clears throat-
What do you so on Sunday morning? Sleep in, wake up, doze, read and eat.
Pink or red lipstick? Uh...Chapstick?
What are you like at parties? Either singing happy birthday, dancing, or mingling tastefully (it's true!).
What do you smell of? I'll go by what I smell of after cross country; Happy Belle for women (delicious smelling...picked it up at Meenoos in Fiji) or Love Knot (a knock-off perfume I got from the Easter show for five bucks), but most probably sports deodorant.
Who is the most stylish living person on the planet? I don't know, Gerard Way?
Tell us your best shoe memory: okay, let me set the scene. We were looking for new netball shoes; my other pair were in tatters. We went to Rebel Sports, and I looked at these beautiful black and white Asiscs gel netburner shoes. Gorgeous! They were $160 (I had actually looked at them weeks before, never expecting to get them). I tried on some running shoes form the same brand and they felt so great. Mum said, 'you can get both if you hurry up'. What a feeling! I went for a run that afternoon- it was like I was running on a cloud.
Give us three words to describe your style: style? lack there of. Okay, how about summery, and jean-based.
What part of your body do you neglect? My back, I haven't seen it in a while.
Who is your favourite New Zealand designer? I don't really know! I only am aware of two names, Trelise Cooper and Karen Walker.
Tell us your favourite song lyrics: tough choice, probably
I wanna see what your insides look like, I bet your not pretty on the inside
Bury me in black, My Chemical Romance.
What are the five shallow, materialistic things you can't live without? My water bottle, my current book, music, shoes, jeans.
What is your first thought when you see yourself in the morning? Hello, you.
Have you found yourself yet? (Can someone please tell me what this means?) If you mean my place in the world, or what I am meant to do, then no.
Well, that was brutal- way harder than I expected. Hoped you enjoyed it!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Zoology
When you read the title to this entry, you most probably thought that I was doing an article on the branch of biology that focuses on the study of animals; their development, classification, and physiology. As likely as that might be, Zoology is, in this instance, the title of Ben Dolnick's debut novel. Please note that this entry gives the plot of the story away.
When I was shelving adult fiction one afternoon at the library, the cover of this book caught my eye. I know you aren't meant to judge a book by its cover and all that, but something must be said about an enticing front cover. I read the back, and put it on my mental list of books to read. Then, one Saturday morning, I was browsing through the books, and I couldn't seem to find anything I wanted. Then, to my up most pleasure, I saw the stark black and white cover of this book sitting on the shelf. I snatched it up, and along with several copies of The New Scientist magazine, I scanned the book into my temporary possession.
I don't see what any of that has to do with anything though, seeing as this was meant to be a book review.
Okay, let's start with the basics about this book. It was written by the American author Ben Dolnick, who, according to the two sentences inside the back cover, was born in Washington D.C. in 1982, and now lives in New York. It was published first in 2007 in Great Britain by HarperPress.
How about genre? That is a question I really don't know the answer to. I just searched it up on Google, and according to Amazon.com, it's a light bildungsroman. Yeah, when I first read that word I said 'say what?', too.
I then searched the word up on dictionary.com (the things I do for this blog) and it said that a bildungsroman is a type of novel concerned with the education, development, and maturing of a young protagonist. The meaning makes sense, but it's still one of the weirdest words I've seen in a while, and it looks as thought you could hurt yourself trying to pronounce it.
By the way, a protagonist, in this context, is the leading character of a literary work.
It is written in first person, from the view of none other than the protagonist himself, Henry Elinsky. Basically this guy dropped out of university (or college) after a semester, and so he just living at home with his parents, going to his dad's primary school music classes. He plays the sax, and, probably as a result from his father, believes that a being a jazz musician is his destiny. His parents are silently growing apart, and his life is not glamorous nor fun. Basically, he is in a rut. What I would call the quarter-life crisis; the time before true adulthood; the time where you're still unsure how to make pasta, or where exactly you send the bills off to, even though you've tried a cigarette and can by vodka if you so desired.
He goes to live in New York for the summer with his older brother, and gets a job in the children's Zoo in Central Park. He meets a girl who he falls in love with; he befriends some animals; he starts to find himself (whatever that means) and a little about his place in the world. For once, thank goodness, there was no romance. It was startlingly real. His love had a long-time boyfriend and wasn't interested in a relationship. He pined for her and obsessed about her, and his dissatisfaction and frustration were skillfully portrayed. I guess this book really was about truly growing up. Not in the literal sense, I feel, but maybe in the way that your are confident within yourself.
In the back of the book, it has questions that you can ask yourself. Horrible, book-study questions.
How does Henry change over the course of the novel?
What has he learnt by the end of his summer in New York?
I really don't know, but I suppose these questions don't have an incorrect answer. He changes; he grows up; becomes a person in his own right. He learns from mistakes and experiences, by exposing himself to new things, some of them painful. He learns that he is not a musician, and he learns he has a whole life left to be lived and that he should be excited.
I would say that Zoology is a good book. Not the best novel in existence, but it kept me interested. It hasn't changed my life, but I think I've learnt a few things (it sort of impossible not to grasp something from a book). This story would probably only appeal to people under 25; I definitely related to it, even though I am trying to give up worrying so much about the future.
When I was shelving adult fiction one afternoon at the library, the cover of this book caught my eye. I know you aren't meant to judge a book by its cover and all that, but something must be said about an enticing front cover. I read the back, and put it on my mental list of books to read. Then, one Saturday morning, I was browsing through the books, and I couldn't seem to find anything I wanted. Then, to my up most pleasure, I saw the stark black and white cover of this book sitting on the shelf. I snatched it up, and along with several copies of The New Scientist magazine, I scanned the book into my temporary possession.
I don't see what any of that has to do with anything though, seeing as this was meant to be a book review.
Okay, let's start with the basics about this book. It was written by the American author Ben Dolnick, who, according to the two sentences inside the back cover, was born in Washington D.C. in 1982, and now lives in New York. It was published first in 2007 in Great Britain by HarperPress.
How about genre? That is a question I really don't know the answer to. I just searched it up on Google, and according to Amazon.com, it's a light bildungsroman. Yeah, when I first read that word I said 'say what?', too.
I then searched the word up on dictionary.com (the things I do for this blog) and it said that a bildungsroman is a type of novel concerned with the education, development, and maturing of a young protagonist. The meaning makes sense, but it's still one of the weirdest words I've seen in a while, and it looks as thought you could hurt yourself trying to pronounce it.
By the way, a protagonist, in this context, is the leading character of a literary work.
It is written in first person, from the view of none other than the protagonist himself, Henry Elinsky. Basically this guy dropped out of university (or college) after a semester, and so he just living at home with his parents, going to his dad's primary school music classes. He plays the sax, and, probably as a result from his father, believes that a being a jazz musician is his destiny. His parents are silently growing apart, and his life is not glamorous nor fun. Basically, he is in a rut. What I would call the quarter-life crisis; the time before true adulthood; the time where you're still unsure how to make pasta, or where exactly you send the bills off to, even though you've tried a cigarette and can by vodka if you so desired.
He goes to live in New York for the summer with his older brother, and gets a job in the children's Zoo in Central Park. He meets a girl who he falls in love with; he befriends some animals; he starts to find himself (whatever that means) and a little about his place in the world. For once, thank goodness, there was no romance. It was startlingly real. His love had a long-time boyfriend and wasn't interested in a relationship. He pined for her and obsessed about her, and his dissatisfaction and frustration were skillfully portrayed. I guess this book really was about truly growing up. Not in the literal sense, I feel, but maybe in the way that your are confident within yourself.
In the back of the book, it has questions that you can ask yourself. Horrible, book-study questions.
How does Henry change over the course of the novel?
What has he learnt by the end of his summer in New York?
I really don't know, but I suppose these questions don't have an incorrect answer. He changes; he grows up; becomes a person in his own right. He learns from mistakes and experiences, by exposing himself to new things, some of them painful. He learns that he is not a musician, and he learns he has a whole life left to be lived and that he should be excited.
I would say that Zoology is a good book. Not the best novel in existence, but it kept me interested. It hasn't changed my life, but I think I've learnt a few things (it sort of impossible not to grasp something from a book). This story would probably only appeal to people under 25; I definitely related to it, even though I am trying to give up worrying so much about the future.
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