“We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.” ( Read more... )

I'm working on revising an old paper to be a writing sample for an application, and I came across this passage in one of my sources. I wish I could use the entire thing in this paper, because it really sums up all my points on colonial/postcolonial stories of hybridization in fantasy stories. (My paper was on Robin McKinley's The Blue Sword, ( Read more... )

So I suppose this is a bad time to admit to the internets at large that my childhood was not really defined by Harry Potter. I was never waiting for my Hogwarts letter. I don't feel like I'm at the end of an era. I'll see the movie, but I'm not lining up tonight.

I mean, not that I don't like Harry Potter. (Well, actually the boy himself is rather ( Read more... )

It is a curious emotion, this certain homesickness I have in mind. With Americans, it is a national trait, as native to us as the roller-coaster or the jukebox. It is no simple longing for the home town or country of our birth. The emotion is Janus-faced: we are torn between a nostalgia for the familiar and an urge for the foreign and strange. As ( Read more... )

OMG ITS NOT EVEN SATURDAY AND PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN UP POSTING INTERESTING THINGS ON LJ.

No its not fair that you all have lives, I say it isn't, why do you ask.

Warren Ellis's rant on the cancellation of Robin Hood, Primeval, the movement of Torchwood, and the state of British teevee. Not that I watch any of those shows but the man probably has a point ( Read more... )

"Welcome to England" - Tori Amos

"Do a dance for me."
Baby it is late still you pour me
a tall one...
"Go on, let the liquid take off what you're on.
You've been down before..."
Boy, not like this.
I'm in Quicksand I am sinking fast
"perfect," he laughed, "cause your other half has
got himself a Devil's access-- Welcome to England,"
he said, "Welcome to my ( Read more... )

A movie is coming out. Yes, it is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Not to be confused with Pride and Predator.

I actually think this is a ridiculously good idea, to add zombies to Pride and Prejudice. It's a nice book but could use some flavor.

This probably comes from the same part of my brain that wants to make a zombie spaceship movie out of The ( Read more... )

One of my favorite teachers ever, Lillie Craton, is pondering working Buffy into her fall Romanticism course. Of course, it is essential this must happen; also, due to the various English majors lying strewn about this place, we all should be able to come up with some good argument tying the two together.

I'm thinking something along the gothic ( Read more... )

Got my letter from
( Read more... )

After discovering that my traditional Christmas reads are becoming too numerous to handle in addition to the pile of books I've been saving for Christmas break, I've come to the staggering conclusion that 1) I will need to let go of some traditions; and 2) I enjoy re-reading things far more than reading them the first time.

(What are some of my ( Read more... )