|
Post by Becky H on Jul 13, 2003 14:44:34 GMT -5
Ok, this is par for the course for this weekend. I didn't notice that I was not logged in as I've requested to be so there's a phantom post with my name on it as guest.
What I meant to say was that Changing Rooms is the British parent of Trading Spaces. Once I discovered BBC America, I became hooked and actually prefer it now to TS - although Vern could redo a room for me anyday. The British version of What not to wear is also a blast - Trinny and Susannah are so much more believable than Stacey and Wayne. How can you take serious fashion advice from someone with early-Michael Bolton hair?
Anyway, I just got back from my weekend class and this is the first one in this program that was horrid. The professor kept changing what she wants us to do for our final synthesis project and, despite the posted due date of 21 July, we have to have it finished in time so that it arrives to her by that date, otherwise known as moving up the deadline. That's not even taking into consideration the other paper that's also due on that date. Plus, this was the groupwork from hell class in which I did all the work for my group (remember the proxemics stuff from last week I was babbling on about?) and the other members did less than nada. I just want to know when, as an adult, I can stop having to prove that I don't run with scissors and I play well with others. Grr Argh.
|
|
|
Post by Kerrie on Jul 13, 2003 14:51:08 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that your professor and goup members are giving you grief.
|
|
|
Post by LadyDi on Jul 13, 2003 14:56:51 GMT -5
Ok, this is par for the course for this weekend. I didn't notice that I was not logged in as I've requested to be so there's a phantom post with my name on it as guest. What I meant to say was that Changing Rooms is the British parent of Trading Spaces. Once I discovered BBC America, I became hooked and actually prefer it now to TS - although Vern could redo a room for me anyday. The British version of What not to wear is also a blast - Trinny and Susannah are so much more believable than Stacey and Wayne. How can you take serious fashion advice from someone with early-Michael Bolton hair? Anyway, I just got back from my weekend class and this is the first one in this program that was horrid. The professor kept changing what she wants us to do for our final synthesis project and, despite the posted due date of 21 July, we have to have it finished in time so that it arrives to her by that date, otherwise known as moving up the deadline. That's not even taking into consideration the other paper that's also due on that date. Plus, this was the groupwork from hell class in which I did all the work for my group (remember the proxemics stuff from last week I was babbling on about?) and the other members did less than nada. I just want to know when, as an adult, I can stop having to prove that I don't run with scissors and I play well with others. Grr Argh. Becky- Sorry to hear about your group. I hate group projects too.
|
|
|
Post by Rob on Jul 13, 2003 15:03:34 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that your professor and goup members are giving you grief. Kerrie, could it be that you and I are actually online at the same time? How is this possible?
|
|
|
Post by Sue on Jul 13, 2003 15:22:56 GMT -5
on the nature of "truth" in writing. Sci Fi, female heroes, what is pornography, etc. Since many of us read her books I thought you might find it interesting. Sue gos.sbc.edu/l/lengle.html
|
|
|
Post by Rob on Jul 13, 2003 15:25:58 GMT -5
Kerrie, could it be that you and I are actually online at the same time? How is this possible? Apparently it isn't possible. Spoke too soon. LOL
|
|
|
Post by Nan-S'cubie Mascot on Jul 13, 2003 15:57:21 GMT -5
The reason I've been absent today is not that the bulk of the discussion has been political (which I avoid) but rather (a) because I didn't have anything worthwhile to say (I know, it's never stopped me before); but (b) I've been working hard on chapter 20 of EME and (c) I have a sinus headache and (d) my friend Mary has lent me her brand new copy of the newest Harry Potter (she's already read a library copy) for when I'm (e) over my headache and have done as much revision on the chapter as I can at this point.
Now don't you all feel edified?
|
|
|
Post by Becky H on Jul 13, 2003 15:58:40 GMT -5
Thanks to both of you for posting the Harry Potter review and the Madeleine L'Engle link. They both actually reinforce each other, I think, with L'Engle talking about fairy tale as an archetype across cultures and Rowling's synthesis of so many fairy tale elements into HP. I'm hoping we can assume that a new book is on its way if Polly is now in Yale Medical School. Maybe Polly and Vicky will finally meet!
|
|
|
Post by RAKSHA on Jul 13, 2003 16:03:45 GMT -5
There were a whole lot of people who felt that peace protestors leading up to the most recent Gulf War were unpatriotic. From politicians to pundits filling the airwaves. There are always people trying to enforce morality, which stems from their religous views. Take congressman Santaurum (whose name I am undoubtedly misspelling) who equates gay sex with pedophilia. The Supreme Court couldn't even reach a unanimous decision that how adults have consensual sex is no business of the government. Marjuana is far less dangerous a drug than alcohol or cigarettes. Yet the US spends billions of dollars every year to fight (and lose) the war on drugs. The US is filled with laws restricting freedoms for cuases heralded by the "moral" majority. You'd feel different about the government and such non-government but highly politically active groups if it they wanted to make the things you do illegal. \This will be my last post on this subject; since I don't come here to discuss politics.
I never heard the "whole lot of people" who felt that prewar protests were unpatriotic. I have heard people disagree with the opinions voiced by the protestors, but not that it was unpatriotic to protest before the war began.
The government has restricted my mother's favorite activity, smoking, banning it even from restaurants that originally wanted to have the option available.
I don't know where you got the idea that marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol or cigarettes. Marijuana impairs your judgment just like alcohol; possibly more (not an expert on the amounts) and I speak from first-hand experience. It's addictive as well. Doesn't mean one cannot stop smoking it, just as one CAN stop smoking cigarettes if one really wants to.
I also don't remember whasisname the congressman recommending or trying to enforce a particular course of action; just mentioning a point of law or a court case....
Gail
|
|
|
Post by Kerrie on Jul 13, 2003 16:03:56 GMT -5
Kerrie, could it be that you and I are actually online at the same time? How is this possible? Not possible. I vanished as soon as I posted and now that I am back you have gone.
|
|
|
Post by Kerrie on Jul 13, 2003 16:09:05 GMT -5
The reason I've been absent today is not that the bulk of the discussion has been political (which I avoid) but rather (a) because I didn't have anything worthwhile to say (I know, it's never stopped me before); but (b) I've been working hard on chapter 20 of EME and (c) I have a sinus headache and (d) my friend Mary has lent me her brand new copy of the newest Harry Potter (she's already read a library copy) for when I'm (e) over my headache and have done as much revision on the chapter as I can at this point. Now don't you all feel edified? Thanks for telling us that you have been largely productive, Nan. Sorry to hear about your headache. It has been exceptionally quiet around here the last few days.
|
|
|
Post by Becky H on Jul 13, 2003 16:14:31 GMT -5
Thanks for telling us that you have been largely productive, Nan. Sorry to hear about your headache. It has been exceptionally quiet around here the last few days. Ditto on the headache, Nan. Mine are humidity rather than sinus-induced but no more fun. I don't know if I'm disappointed or relieved at the quiet - not too many pages of posts to wade through, that's for sure. And thanks for putting up with my earlier class-related vent. I will just park in front of the computer this week until I finish these projects and can stop angsting about them.
|
|
|
Post by Kerrie on Jul 13, 2003 16:29:26 GMT -5
on the nature of "truth" in writing. Sci Fi, female heroes, what is pornography, etc. Since many of us read her books I thought you might find it interesting. Sue gos.sbc.edu/l/lengle.htmlIt was an interesting article. I am always interested in how authors write especially how much their 'philosophy' directs their writing. I like some of Charles Dickens's work and all iof Jane Austen's, but I think they plan their writing around their 'philosphy' (i.e. the goodies will be rewarded and the baddies will be punished). I think some writers do this unconsciously, eg Charlotte Bronte, but I think other writers just write a story that they have imagined without any thought to what the underlying philosophy is. I get the impression that JW has a planned philosophy but that occassionally he does let his imagination (rather than his sense) dictate 'minor' details. An example of this would be Spike who was supposed to die half-way through season 2 setting up all manner of problems with a sexy, cool vampire being too attractive (not just physiclly) to the audience so that it was hard for the writers to make the audience understand that he was evil.
|
|
|
Post by Kerrie on Jul 13, 2003 16:42:26 GMT -5
Dearest techno-pagons. I love the "search" option. (although of course it helps if one has some idea what a good keyword would be, but a lack of brains still doesn't make the feature totally redundant.)
|
|
|
Post by RAKSHA on Jul 13, 2003 18:07:27 GMT -5
It was an interesting article. I am always interested in how authors write especially how much their 'philosophy' directs their writing. I like some of Charles Dickens's work and all iof Jane Austen's, but I think they plan their writing around their 'philosphy' (i.e. the goodies will be rewarded and the baddies will be punished). I think some writers do this unconsciously, eg Charlotte Bronte, but I think other writers just write a story that they have imagined without any thought to what the underlying philosophy is. I get the impression that JW has a planned philosophy but that occassionally he does let his imagination (rather than his sense) dictate 'minor' details. An example of this would be Spike who was supposed to die half-way through season 2 setting up all manner of problems with a sexy, cool vampire being too attractive (not just physiclly) to the audience so that it was hard for the writers to make the audience understand that he was evil. I don't think the audience found it hard to understand that a cute vampire was evil, I think the writers began to enlarge his character and have him do good things, so he was seen neither as completely good nor completely evil. Spike began to be interesting when he returned from Brazil drunk and lovelorn over Dru, sobbing on Joyce's shoulder, etc.. He was still evil at that point. Then they chipped Spike; and utilized the plot possibilities, mainly for comedy, that ensued from that development. I think somebody, either among Joss & the writers, or the fans, or all of the above, got a big heads-up on future Spike development in SOMETHING BLUE. The chemistry between Spike & Buffy and the Scoobies was wonderful; people must have started to write in, writers must have started to realize that Spike & Buffy made a far cuter and more intriguing couple than Riley & Buffy. Spike started to become good when he realized he loved Buffy, then comforted her instead of shooting her as he had intended. And he didn't have a soul then. If the writers had wanted to show that Spike was evil, all they had to do was eliminate that empathy, the willingness to pain and suffering on behalf of Buffy and Dawn, that Spike displayed long before he gained a soul. He was not a good man at that point, but he was not completely evil either, he was starting to do good things and trying to be less evil... Gail
|
|