What is vertigo?
by V.E. on December 6th, 2008
Anyone whose goal is ‘something higher’ must expect someday to suffer vertigo. What is vertigo? Fear of falling? No, Vertigo is something other than fear of falling. It is the voice of the emptiness below us which tempts and lures us, it is the desire to fall, against which, terrified, we defend ourselves.
—Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being
“This Side” lyrics
by V.E. on December 4th, 2008
filed under lyrics
SONG: This Side
BY: Nickel Creek
One day you’ll see her and you’ll know what I mean.
Take her or leave her; she will still be the same.
She’ll not try to buy you with her time.
But nothing’s the same, as you will see when she’s gone.
It’s foreign on this side,
And I’ll not leave my home again.
There’s no place to hide
And I’m nothing but scared.
You dream of colors that have never been made,
You imagine songs that have never been played.
They will try to buy you and your mind.
Only the curious have something to find.
It’s foreign on this side,
And the truth is a bitter friend.
But reasons few have I to go back again.
Your first dawn blinded you, left you cursing the day.
Entrance is crucial and it’s not without pain.
There’s no path to follow, once you’re here.
You’ll climb up the slide, and then you’ll slide down the stairs.
It’s foreign on this side,
But it feels like I’m home again.
There’s no place to hide
But I don’t think I’m scared.
(There’s no place to hide.)
(There’s no place to hide.)
But I don’t think I’m scared.
(There’s no place to hide.)
But I don’t think I’m scared…
Prop.8—The Musical
by V.E. on December 4th, 2008
filed under lgbt
“Twilight” (movie) review
by V.E. on December 2nd, 2008
filed under recap/review
Official | Wikipedia | IMDb | Amazon
I reviewed Twilight after I read it in early July and today I got the chance to pay $11 to see it in theaters. Aside from the absurd ticket price—that’s NYC for you—I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the movie in comparison to the book. On its own merits, the movie is a decent C+/B-, but honestly: it’s like the book without all the stupid stuff. And all the stupid stuff is left out because they just didn’t have time for it. That is, there’s less “Edward is amazing/perfect/beautiful/perfect” and more actual storyline (gasp!). Still, it needed more Jacob, Alice, and Angela and less Rosalie. The minor characters (Bella’s high school friends especially) were perfectly portrayed.
I’m not a “OMG TEAM EDWARD!” kind of girl (or a “NO, YOU BI-OTCHES, TEAM JACOB” girl, either, for that matter), but Pattinson really gave me a turn in the leading role. He’s pretty good at brooding, in any case. Two reactions I’ve read that seem to be at odds are Sahar‘s and Kelaina‘s. Sahar is interested in why girls (and guys) are so taken with Edward Cullen and discovers that many believe he’s more gentlemanly toward women than modern society condones. Conversely, Kelaina points out that he sneaks into Bella’s room just to watch her sleep. That’s sweet, but in a really, really creepy way.
Also, a couple of side notes. First, I was extremely impressed that the producers cast real Native Americans in the Quileute roles. Second, this is also a decent read about both the book and movie, if you’re interested. Finally—and this doesn’t have to do with the movie so much as the movie theater—why the hell do people need to inform me that there’s no Easter egg at the end of the credits just because I’m still sitting there? I didn’t ask them. Haven’t they ever thought about maybe just staying to read the credits themselves? The movie isn’t over ’til it’s over, fer Christ-sakes.
Worst scene: Edward-in-the-Sun Lion/Lamb thing. Ugh.
Best scene: Baseball in the field, hands down.
Worst character: James because he’s so two-dimensional, though it’s debatable.
Best character: Bella’s father, Charlie Swann.
Most underdeveloped character: Jacob and Jasper.
Most annoying character: Rosalie.
EDIT 8 Dec. 2008:
I was reading the production notes on the website and had an “oh my God, you’re kidding me” moment when I read:
What drew Mooradian to the story was not its exoticism, but rather its universality. “There have been thousands of vampire films made,” he says. “What sets this apart is the love story. Vampirism in this story is simply a metaphor for teenage lust, for that feeling of ‘I want you, but I can’t have you.’ I thought that was such a wonderful metaphor to express teenage longing.”
… I wanted to scream “O.M.G. BUFFY and ANGEL FOR CHRIST-SAKES!” [facepalm]
Longest Survey Ever
by V.E. on December 1st, 2008
filed under quizzes/surveys
Day/Time I began: November 30, 2008 at 6:14 PM ET
Day/Time I finished: December 1, 2008 at 2:09 AM ET
Things I did while taking a break from this meme: Built a bookshelf; unpacked some boxes; read Vampire Knight fanfiction; watched some Third Rock from the Sun; chatted on Meebo
Things to do before I die
1. Become fluent in German.
2. Visit Germany, Japan, South Africa, and Scotland.
3. Earn Emergency Medical Technician certification.
4. Earn a doctoral degree.
5. Learn to play the violin or cello.
6. Have a book published by a major publishing house.
7. Skydive.
Things I cannot do
1. Pee standing up.
2. Ride the subway without a MetroCard.
3. Rhyme on demand.
4. Drink alcohol.
5. Feel bad for politicians’ follies.
6. Read minds.
7. Be 100% certain.
Things I say most often
1. What’s the deal?
2. Right, right.
3. Exactly.
4. … Yes.
5. Thank you.
6. Please.
7. What the hell?
Books I love
1. “Stranger in a Strange Land” by Robert Heinlein
2. “To Serve and Submit” by Susan Wright
3. “The Rover” by Aphra Behn
4. “Dark Rapture” by Michele Hauf
5. “The Irresistible Revolution” by Shane Claiborne
6. “Princess Ben” by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
7. “Alive Together” by Lisel Mueller
Movies I could watch over and over
1. Rigoletto
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
3. Escape from Witch Mountain (1977) / Return to Witch Mountain
4. Disney’s Beauty & the Beast
5. Kung Fu Hustle
6. Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer
7. Batman Begins / The Dark Knight
All-time albums
1. “Metamorphosis” by Hilary Duff
2. “Pirates of the Caribbean” soundtracks
3. “Lifesong” by Casting Crowns
4. “RENT” soundtrack
5. “18-Eighteen” by Nana Kitade
6. “I’m Not Dead” by P!nk
7. Why do I only get 7 choices?
40 Questions…
My uncle once: made me the best lentil burger I’ve ever eaten.
Never in my life: have I had an alcoholic beverage.
When I was five: I was in preschool at the CEC.
High School was: better than junior high.
I will never forget: to whom I owe my life.
I once met: someone you don’t know.
There’s this girl I know who: has writing on her back.
Once, at a bar: I watched lovely men dance on tables.
By noon, I’m usually: thinking about lunch.
Last night: I slept in my own bed for the first time since mid-August.
If I only had: more money (what else?), I’d not be so worried about pulling it all together.
Next time I go to church: I’ll hopefully enjoy myself there.
Terri Schiavo: was a vegetable already. Just let it go. Sheesh.
What worries me most is: not having enough money to get by.
When I turn my head left, I see: a stack of “Poets & Writers” and “Psychology Today” magazines.
When I turn my head right, I see: the silver radiator in my bedroom.
You know I’m lying when: my eyes are dead.
What I miss most about the eighties: the music.
If I was a character in Shakespeare, I’d be: Katherina of Taming of the Shrew
By this time next year: I’ll be a year older, or I’ll be dead.
A better name for me would be: … I like the name I have, thanks.
I have a hard time understanding: why people care about two men or two women marrying legally.
If I ever go back to school, I’ll: earn a doctoral degree in something.
You know I like you if: I’m not afraid to tell you what I really think.
If I ever won an award, the first person I’d thank would be: my sister.
Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferraro: What about ‘em?
Take my advice, never: make a patient man (or woman) angry.
My ideal breakfast is: one that I don’t have to rush through.
A song I love, but do not own is: uh… I can’t think of one.
If you visit my hometown, I suggest: avoiding the rich snobs.
Tulips, character flaws, microchips & stars: It’s a slant rhyme, but the rhythm is off.
Why won’t people: act like intelligent, capable human beings for once?
If you spend the night at my house: expect to be intimate.
I’d stop my wedding for: a tragedy or disaster, so long as I could be married later.
The world could do without: alcohol.
I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: live with Elvira.
My favorite blonde is: my sister.
Paper clips are more useful than: many other things.
If I do anything well, it’s: write.
And by the way: are we done yet?
UNIQUE
1. Nervous habits ? – Spinning my class ring; tense laughing; checking for escape routes.
2. Are you double jointed – No.
3. Can you roll your tongue – Yes.
4. Can you raise one eyebrow at a time ? – Only the left one.
5. Can you blow spit bubbles ? – No.
6. Can you cross your eyes ? – Yes.
7. Tattoos ? – Who’s asking?
8. Piercing – Yes, one in each ear.
9. Do you make your bed daily ? – Hah; only enough that my cat doesn’t sleep on the sheets.
CLOTHES
10. Which shoe goes on first ? – I don’t think about it. The left one, I think.
11. Speaking of shoes, have you ever thrown one at anyone? – Yes, actually.
12. On the average, how much money do you carry ? – Eh, I usually have a twenty on me.
13. What jewelry do you wear 24/7 ? – A wedding band, my class ring, and another ring that has personal significance. And no, I’m not married.
14. Favorite piece of clothing ? – Whatever’s comfortable.
FOOD
15. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it ? – Twirl.
16. Have you ever eaten Spam ? – Yes, but it was so long ago that I don’t remember it.
17. Do you use extra salt on your food? – Yes.
18. How many cereals in your cabinet – Four.
19. What’s your favorite beverage ? – Water, then root beer.
20. What’s your favorite fast food restaurant – Subway.
21. Do you cook? – Not really.
GROOMING
22. How often do you brush your teeth ? – Every time I remember.
23. Hair drying method? – Towel and air dry.
24. Have you ever colored/highlighted your hair? – Yeah, I’ve highlighted it for special occasions.
MANNERS
25. Do you swear ? – Sometimes.
26. Do you ever spit ? – Only when something tastes bad and there’s no other way to get rid of the taste.
FAVORITE
27. Animal? – Wolf, though it’s debatable.
28. Food? – Angel hair spaghetti with marinara sauce.
29. Month? – February.
30. Day? – Thursday.
31. Cartoon? – Trigun, Arjuna, Shojo Kakumei Utena.
32. Shoe brand? – What? Who the hell cares?
33. Subject in school? – English, History.
34. Color? – Violet, Indigo.
35. Sport? – Colorguard.
36. TV shows? – Battlestar Galactica, Angel.
37. Thing to do in the Spring? – The trees coming back to life.
38. Thing to do in the Summer? – The long days.
39. Thing to do in the Autumn? – Samhain.
40. Thing to do in the Winter? – Avoiding Christmas songs on the radio.
IN AND AROUND
41. In the CD player? – “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” soundtrack
42. Person you talk most on the phone with? – One of my four immediate family members.
43. Reading? – “Lyon” by Elizabeth Amber; “Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder” by Dr. Jonathon Grayson.
44. Do you regularly check yourself out in store windows/mirrors? – No.
45. What color is your bedroom? – Purple.
46. Do you use an alarm clock? – In my phone.
47. Window seat or aisle? – Window, all the way.
DUMB
48. What’s your sleeping position? – On my right side, though I tend to toss and turn.
49. Even in hot weather do you use a blanket? – Yes.
50. Do you snore? – Not usually, at least not that I know of.
51. Do you sleepwalk? – No.
52. Do you talk in your sleep? – Yes.
53. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? – No, but I have a doll.
54. How about with the light on? – Not if I can help it.
55. Do you fall asleep with the TV or radio on? – No.
56. Last interesting person you met? – Every person I meet is interesting.
MORE STUFF
2 names you go by: Viannah, Eve.
2 parts of your heritage: English, Scottish.
2 things that scare you: Not knowing for sure, my secrets.
2 of your everyday essentials: A working pen, my wallet.
2 things you are wearing right now: Sweat pants, F&M sweatshirt.
2 stars you are currently crushing on: Eh… Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Hilary Duff
2 of your favorite musical artists (at the moment): The Postal Service, Superchic[k]
2 favorite songs (at the moment): “Still Doll” by Wakeshima Kanon, “Lifesong” by Casting Crowns.
2 CD’s played in your car (at the moment): I don’t have a car.
2 things you want in a relationship (other than real love): Honesty, Loyalty.
2 truths: “The night is darkest just before the dawn. The dawn is coming.” & “Everything thing in life is only for now.”
2 physical things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex): Broad shoulders, taller than I am.
2 of your favorite hobbies: Reading, Anime.
2 of your worst vices: Sloth, Wrath.
2 things you want really badly: A job that pays ALL the bills, to be more disciplined.
2 places you want to go on vacation: Stonehenge, Neuschwanstein.
2 ways that you want to be remembered: As someone who achieved her dreams, and as someone who refused to settle.
2 things you are thinking about right now: Sleeping, my work interview tomorrow (later today).
2 stores you shop at: Waldbaum’s, Metrostyle.com
OMG FINALLY DONE.
