Saturday, December 20
Monday, December 15
I'm rediscovering reading again. With the help of a children's book: The Tales of Beedle the Bard. This book contains five 'folktales' from the Harry Potter universe, with added commentary and footnotes by Albus Dumbledore and J. K. Rowling as well. It's certainly a nice and short read and really does add to the realism of the world Rowling creates. The book does have a spoiler though, which can go unnoticed but could mar the experience of the series. Get it if you love Harry Potter; it's all for a good cause: the Children's High Level Group.
And December 2008 is the month I reread The Time Traveler's Wife once again, and I'm happy to do it, although I do want to finish it soon and move on to some of the other books lying around I have yet to read... It's very relaxing to be able to read a book without having to analyse it word by word looking for themes and ideas. I am, however, thinking of using The Time Traveler's Wife in the final-year thesis in school. Hopefully this doesn't mean I will never be able to pick up the novel again after that.
There seems to be something about pop music that just sticks in your head much more than alternative music. I'm currently listening to Beyoncé's double-disc album I Am... Sasha Fierce, as well as Britney's Circus. Both are, to me, very good albums which not only reinforce the artistry of both of them, but also bring their music into new directions. At least I think. I'm also listening to Coldplay's Viva La Vida (I waited for the rerelease, the Prospekt's March edition). It's not pop, so it doesn't stick as well, but it's definitely a work of art. The special edition seems to bring the whole album together, with the second disc having remakes and remixes from the original disc as well as new tracks.
Choice picks from I Am... Sasha Fierce: Smash Into You (this is mature Beyoncé at her very best), If I Were A Boy, Single Ladies (infectious stuff, no doubt) and Ego (she's got a big ego, but this song is charming!). From Circus: Womanizer (can you stop chanting?), Unusual You, Circus and I actually like Mmm Papi (I'd like to think she's purposely sounding stupid and slutty).
And what is up with the many, many rereleases of Deluxe and Special Editions of so many albums I already have? This is no good for my wallet, I tell you. James Morrison has a rerelease, and so does Jason Mraz ($33! How can?), and Feist (Okay, so I bought hers. Could not resist.)! Since Beyoncé and Britney have already released so-called Deluxe Editions alongside the regular ones, they'd better not release some Ultimate-You'd-Better-Buy-This Edition. Bah. I'm broke. Do people give red packets for Christmas?
And December 2008 is the month I reread The Time Traveler's Wife once again, and I'm happy to do it, although I do want to finish it soon and move on to some of the other books lying around I have yet to read... It's very relaxing to be able to read a book without having to analyse it word by word looking for themes and ideas. I am, however, thinking of using The Time Traveler's Wife in the final-year thesis in school. Hopefully this doesn't mean I will never be able to pick up the novel again after that.
There seems to be something about pop music that just sticks in your head much more than alternative music. I'm currently listening to Beyoncé's double-disc album I Am... Sasha Fierce, as well as Britney's Circus. Both are, to me, very good albums which not only reinforce the artistry of both of them, but also bring their music into new directions. At least I think. I'm also listening to Coldplay's Viva La Vida (I waited for the rerelease, the Prospekt's March edition). It's not pop, so it doesn't stick as well, but it's definitely a work of art. The special edition seems to bring the whole album together, with the second disc having remakes and remixes from the original disc as well as new tracks.
Choice picks from I Am... Sasha Fierce: Smash Into You (this is mature Beyoncé at her very best), If I Were A Boy, Single Ladies (infectious stuff, no doubt) and Ego (she's got a big ego, but this song is charming!). From Circus: Womanizer (can you stop chanting?), Unusual You, Circus and I actually like Mmm Papi (I'd like to think she's purposely sounding stupid and slutty).
And what is up with the many, many rereleases of Deluxe and Special Editions of so many albums I already have? This is no good for my wallet, I tell you. James Morrison has a rerelease, and so does Jason Mraz ($33! How can?), and Feist (Okay, so I bought hers. Could not resist.)! Since Beyoncé and Britney have already released so-called Deluxe Editions alongside the regular ones, they'd better not release some Ultimate-You'd-Better-Buy-This Edition. Bah. I'm broke. Do people give red packets for Christmas?
