spiffyhink

I generally do this on paper, but figured I felt like sharing this time. Since Blade Runner 2049 will be coming out this year, I decided to finally read the original Blade Runner, which I've had in my collection for a while now. Philip K. Dick is one of my favorite authors for-ever-and-ever-amen, even if not all of his works resonate with me, so I figured it was worth a try. I've only seen the movie once or twice, and thought it was okay. The visuals are lovely, but it didn't quite stick with me and I've found I've actually forgotten most of it over the years.

Naturally, the book is much better and is also vastly different.

( Cut for spoilers and in-depth discussion about book themes )

There's a whole lot of other stuff going on in the book as well, but that's all I feel like touching on at the moment. It's way more nuanced than a film adaptation could ever be, and if you're into science fiction at all, I'd definitely recommend it.

I have way too many fucking hobbies. By having and mantaining a large number of interests, I've basically ensured that I will never complete any of my life's work. There's just not enough time. Kind of sucks.

Here are some resource sites that allow their work to be used in commercial projects without needing to purchase a license:

Fonts
Typo Free Fonts
Misprinted Type
Manfred Klein
Larabie Fonts

Other
Texture King - Photographed textures
Pattern8 - Vector patterns

I have been far too busy with...everything in my life as of late, but I wanted to pass these two things on:

SARAH YOU MUST SEE THIS:
Shakespeare sketch.

Rowan Atkinson. Hugh Laurie. Funniness. You may have already come across it, but it made me think of you.

This is moderately interesting:
The Blasphemy Collection

A list of the twenty "most" blasphemous events in recent history. I don't really think all of them should be on there, and the list has left many things out, but it was fun to look at anyway.

I wrote this in my personal (read: on paper) journal today, but I wanted to share it here as well:

"I rely on small treasures to make my life meaningful.

As I was walking across the MSU campus after jazz ensemble, I walked through a space between buildings where not many people go. The buildings there are not often used, and some are devoted to miscellanious activities, but it's quite old, and there is a nice walkway and lawn, and very large, and obviously old, trees which provide lots of wonderful shade. At the time I was feeling a bit depressed because I had felt physically 'off' since the morning, and had performed badly in jazz, but when I passed under one of the trees, I noticed it became incredibly peaceful. Fridays are quiet anyway, since most people like to sleep in instead of going to class, but here I couldn't hear anything except for the leaves and the low hum of an air conditioner close by. No talking, no cars in the background, no cell phones...nothing. Because of the cool from the shade, it seemed as if the tree had created a little haven for those few who actually walked by it. It was beautiful.

But unfortunately, I couldn't stand there forever. I have homework to do, and I'm sure someone would've come along eventually and asked what on Earth I was doing just standing and stupidly smiling at a tree. So before I left, noticing that it was a pecan tree, I bent down and picked up a few pecans it had dropped and munched on them on the way back to my car.

By the time I reached Sunwatcher Plaza, I had eaten all the pecans, so I stuffed my pockets full of the ones that had dropped over there (there are three pecan trees outside of the Liberal Arts Hall, for those who haven't noticed). One of the students who had been walking by stopped and looked up when he saw me. 'Is that a pecan tree?,' he asked. 'Yup,' I said, and he looked a bit surprised as he said 'Wow!' just before walking off.

It made me happy, because he sounded as if he had never stopped to notice the tree, and had never thought of picking up its fruits to munch on. I think a lot of people do that--there are a lot of things that even I don't notice, and we tend to be so distracted by school and work anyway--it made me smile that I had inadvertently caused someone to notice a simple thing that he otherwise never would have considered, and I know if it were me at least, I'd never be able to walk past that tree without noticing it again."

I do hope everyone is having a wonderful day, and enjoying the weather if you can (whatever it's like where you are). Don't forget to pick up a few pecans when you run into them, and think of my little story!

These make me happy! It took me a while to find them on YouTube--I knew they were there, but I was using the wrong search terms:

Justice League goes to the movies

Go Ask Cartoon Network

Now if only I could find a way to get them onto my iPod...

I'm still excited about the fact that I'm taking Botany this semester, even if it is an introductory science class. Botany has always been something of a pet study of mine (as evidenced by my HUGE wildflower collection, housed now in two ginormous 3" binders), so I'm glad I finally get to study it formally.
Jazz Ensemble is one of the classes I was dreading, for a variety of reasons, but it looks as if it'll be much more fun this semester than it was the last. We've got a LOT of songs that I like, some I've been familiar with for a while (which is always cool), and others that are just cool anyway (including a Thelonius Monk tune). Our bassist, Justin, bailed on us this semester (not totally surprising), so I'm not entirely sure what we'll do for our concerts, but it's not too bad during practice.
I'm enjoying all my Math classes--I am officially done with my basics, so I get to take the fun ones now. Differential Equations is one I can see I'll have trouble with, but it's immensely useful, and I don't hate the subject--when I know completely what's going on it's actually quite facinating. Math Stats, which I wasn't looking forward to, is neat. We're not even tacking statistics until the Spring, so for now all we're working on is probability--quite a relief. It's nice to ease back into the school year, rather than tackling it head on.
And of course Abstract Algebra, I think, will be a blast. I love the subject and knew I would ever since I got the textbook, and EVERYONE I know is in that class...I think like half the Math Club, or something, so we sit and chat before class starts each day.

Which reminds me of something else...I'm actually TALKING to people this year, which totally surprised me. With any luck, Jennifer won't be able to tease me about being antisocial anymore, nyah!!! Thus far I've started conversations with people I've seen around for years, and haven't done anything embarassing or akward! YAY!
'Course, if I make too much of a big deal about it I know I'll end up doing something horribly embarrassing and stupid like the last day of classes or something. Heh...

Why must all the creeps be out at exactly the same time?!?!

All of them! Blocking my way to the laundry room! Asking me wierd questions! GRAHHH!!!

Really, they all act as if they're mentally deficient or something. And that wouldn't be a problem, because I'm the last person to dislike a person for mental problems, but they give off this extraordinary vibe of being...on the verge of dangerous.

I am so glad Adrian made me carry pepper spray.

Happily, my purchase of Deathly Hallows coincided nicely with my two days and one afternoon off from work this week, so I have been able to finish the book rather rapidly. Of course, I would have done that anyway, but I didn't really want to go to work with Potter on my mind, since I'm only one of a few fans there, and I know I'd soon start sounding like a total and utter nerd.

( Cut for spoilers, of course )

I finally found a place in my apartment that can pick up a wireless connection!!! YEAH!!!

I am so incredilby elated right now...

In other news, is it a sad thing that I get excited when I'm able to vaccuum my apartment twice in one week? I don't know, but it is so satisfying when I don't have to be surrounded by clutter and dirty floors. Generally I don't have time enough in the week to vaccuum more than once, but between my cat (she sheds a lot of fur) and myself (I shed a lot of hair), we generate a lot of stuff to get caught in my carpet. Plus, she's got a little flea problem, and my mother said the best way to fix it is to vaccuum frequently. (besides spraying, which requires some planning, because I have to remove her from the house for a while after I do it)

I have had new neighbors above me for a couple of months, and they still annoy the hell out of me. Thanks to the cooperation of my landlords, we've finally gotten rid of the music problem, but they just seem to be abnormally loud people. They walk loudly, talk loudly (I am easily able to keep track of their lives regardless of whether they're holding a conversation by my front door or in their bedroom), watch TV loudly, brush their teeth loudly, etc. etc... There are certain things of course I cannot complain about (how does one tell the owners of the complex that their bed is a bit squeaky?), but it still annoys me. I suppose I should just be glad that I can sleep through the night again.

Oh, and I am not, not, NOT ready to go back to school yet!