Heaven is a place on Earth
I' ve just spent a few days in a paradise. Granted, paradise probably has less smelly toilet facilities. And less wind. But otherwise, complete bliss!
We bathed for hours and swam in a small, warm lake. We ate copious amounts of food. I drank red wine and proved wrong those that said red wine is not a good sauna drink. (I've drank three bottles of red wine in seven days. Not sure if i should be worried.) We had good conversations and we told bad jokes about Michael Jackson and dead babies. We created new religions (Behold the Jesusgull!). We tanned. We tested new dishes, mainly sausage marinaded in whiskey. I decided that whiskey is poison. We played around with a rowing boat. We laughed. We were with friends.
It was simple life, a perfect weekend of relaxation, the nicest time I've had in a long time. Thank you for this piece of heaven. Now I'm so tired I could sleep three days straight. Unfortunately I'm leaving tomorrow to see my parents so I can't.
Anyways, I've been thinking that this summer I'll try to read as much as possible and see movies and television shows to educate myself. And since I don't have anything better to do, I'm going to list them here and write short descriptions.
Books I've read:
Vicki Hendricks: Cruel Poetry. A beautiful prostitute with obsessive customer and a woman next door who falls in love with her. Noir. New Orleans. Lezzing. Murders, a pet snake, bondage, sex, alcohol, drugs. Not amazing but quite entertaining. I liked the ending, but the climax of the book was ridiculous and involved japanese swords, lots of blood and stupid deaths.
Recommendation: For those who like things dark, haven't got anything better to do and rather read about alcohol consumption than actually consume it.
David Almond: Clay. A children's book. Rather interesting: Catholic altar boys and a new boy who has the power to make living things out of clay. Some slash. (Isn't there always?) I am here, Master. Command me. Recommendation: For those who want something short and don't expect to be amazed, but still want something slightly serious.
Eoin Colfer: Artemis Fowl: The Arctric Incident. Artemis sets out to save his father and needs the help of the fairy folk. Pixies, Goblins, a centaur and a very smart young boy. Entertaining read, as Fowls always.
Recommendation: For those who like Artemis Fowl. Or fantasy that has some scifi in it and a few twists.
Philip Pullman: Kultainen Kompassi. A very pleasant surprise. Best piece of fantasy I've read in a long time. Polar bears, witches, strong female characters. And I just love the idea of daimons *wants one* The translation was somewhat disappointing, though.
Recommendation: For those who want something else from fantasy than elves and dragons. For those who are not in favour of the church.
Philip Pullman: Salaperäinen veitsi The second part of the Universumin Tomu -trilogy. Not quite as good as the first part, too many things stuffed in, but still an easy read. Interesting new characters, too. I have high hopes for the last part.
Terry Pratchett: Viimeinen manner Well, it was Pratchett so naturally it was brilliant. It wasn't his best, though, but maybe it's because it was about Rincewind, and he isn't my favourite character. In this book, Pratchett makes fun of Australia, gods and evolution, among other things. I think this needs to be read in English to get the full effect of the australian slang. Hmm. There's something wrong with people who don't like Pratchett.
Recommendation: Yes. And every other Pratchett book, as well.
John Boyne: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. A young boy, whose father is a Nazi commandant, makes friends with a jewish boy on the oher side of the fence. Could this have a happy ending? It didn't and I did shed some tears. Touching, tragic. But not very well written. It was from the viewpoint of a nine-year-old boy, so naturally the language was a bit childish, but at times it seemed somehow false and forced. But the story was beautiful.
Recommendation: Not a happy read, but a great book for those who are interested in holocaust and/or the monstrosity of human nature.
TV series I've seen:
Futurama: Yep, the only thing I've watched. About 50 episodes of it, all I could find. I'll miss Dr. Zoidberg and Bender. BTW, am I just sick or is Leela actually kinf of hot?
Recommendation: If you like the simpson's and future and evil, drunken robots.
High points: Bender gets a sex change. Fry falls in love with a mermaid. Leela disguises herself as man to get into the army. Fry shags his grandmother.
Movies I've watched:
Fucking Åmål: Teenage angst and teenage girls falling in love with each other. Still brilliant. Swedish folk know how to make movies.
Recommendation: Girl on girl love and a touching storyline. Go for it.
The Dark is Raising: Disappointing, as I knew it would be. Based on Susan Cooper's brilliant book. Welsh mysteries, ancient british stories, light vs. dark. The book was decidedly british. The movie was american and modern and tiring. Good thing I was drunk when I watched it. Good special effects, acting was okay, but... no. Just no,
Recommendation: If you like Susan Cooper, don't watch this. If you like basic fantasy films, go for it. It's not worse than many others, just not very faithful to the book.
Loving Annabelle: I've heard much about the film. It was disappointment. Dear movie makers, just because they are two women instead of a woman and man, you cannot dig up all the cliches from teacher-student situation to suicidal ex-lovers and school dances, where someone sings a ballad to someone else. Okay, I liked the love-making scene. And acting wasn't TOO bad.
Recommendation: You probably have something better to do.
That was long. I hope I can make this into a monthly or bi-monthly thing.
I'm sooo tired. Will go to bed now. Parents tomorrow. But when I come back to Tampere, things will heat up. I've got PLANS.
We bathed for hours and swam in a small, warm lake. We ate copious amounts of food. I drank red wine and proved wrong those that said red wine is not a good sauna drink. (I've drank three bottles of red wine in seven days. Not sure if i should be worried.) We had good conversations and we told bad jokes about Michael Jackson and dead babies. We created new religions (Behold the Jesusgull!). We tanned. We tested new dishes, mainly sausage marinaded in whiskey. I decided that whiskey is poison. We played around with a rowing boat. We laughed. We were with friends.
It was simple life, a perfect weekend of relaxation, the nicest time I've had in a long time. Thank you for this piece of heaven. Now I'm so tired I could sleep three days straight. Unfortunately I'm leaving tomorrow to see my parents so I can't.
Anyways, I've been thinking that this summer I'll try to read as much as possible and see movies and television shows to educate myself. And since I don't have anything better to do, I'm going to list them here and write short descriptions.
Books I've read:
Vicki Hendricks: Cruel Poetry. A beautiful prostitute with obsessive customer and a woman next door who falls in love with her. Noir. New Orleans. Lezzing. Murders, a pet snake, bondage, sex, alcohol, drugs. Not amazing but quite entertaining. I liked the ending, but the climax of the book was ridiculous and involved japanese swords, lots of blood and stupid deaths.
Recommendation: For those who like things dark, haven't got anything better to do and rather read about alcohol consumption than actually consume it.
David Almond: Clay. A children's book. Rather interesting: Catholic altar boys and a new boy who has the power to make living things out of clay. Some slash. (Isn't there always?) I am here, Master. Command me. Recommendation: For those who want something short and don't expect to be amazed, but still want something slightly serious.
Eoin Colfer: Artemis Fowl: The Arctric Incident. Artemis sets out to save his father and needs the help of the fairy folk. Pixies, Goblins, a centaur and a very smart young boy. Entertaining read, as Fowls always.
Recommendation: For those who like Artemis Fowl. Or fantasy that has some scifi in it and a few twists.
Philip Pullman: Kultainen Kompassi. A very pleasant surprise. Best piece of fantasy I've read in a long time. Polar bears, witches, strong female characters. And I just love the idea of daimons *wants one* The translation was somewhat disappointing, though.
Recommendation: For those who want something else from fantasy than elves and dragons. For those who are not in favour of the church.
Philip Pullman: Salaperäinen veitsi The second part of the Universumin Tomu -trilogy. Not quite as good as the first part, too many things stuffed in, but still an easy read. Interesting new characters, too. I have high hopes for the last part.
Terry Pratchett: Viimeinen manner Well, it was Pratchett so naturally it was brilliant. It wasn't his best, though, but maybe it's because it was about Rincewind, and he isn't my favourite character. In this book, Pratchett makes fun of Australia, gods and evolution, among other things. I think this needs to be read in English to get the full effect of the australian slang. Hmm. There's something wrong with people who don't like Pratchett.
Recommendation: Yes. And every other Pratchett book, as well.
John Boyne: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. A young boy, whose father is a Nazi commandant, makes friends with a jewish boy on the oher side of the fence. Could this have a happy ending? It didn't and I did shed some tears. Touching, tragic. But not very well written. It was from the viewpoint of a nine-year-old boy, so naturally the language was a bit childish, but at times it seemed somehow false and forced. But the story was beautiful.
Recommendation: Not a happy read, but a great book for those who are interested in holocaust and/or the monstrosity of human nature.
TV series I've seen:
Futurama: Yep, the only thing I've watched. About 50 episodes of it, all I could find. I'll miss Dr. Zoidberg and Bender. BTW, am I just sick or is Leela actually kinf of hot?
Recommendation: If you like the simpson's and future and evil, drunken robots.
High points: Bender gets a sex change. Fry falls in love with a mermaid. Leela disguises herself as man to get into the army. Fry shags his grandmother.
Movies I've watched:
Fucking Åmål: Teenage angst and teenage girls falling in love with each other. Still brilliant. Swedish folk know how to make movies.
Recommendation: Girl on girl love and a touching storyline. Go for it.
The Dark is Raising: Disappointing, as I knew it would be. Based on Susan Cooper's brilliant book. Welsh mysteries, ancient british stories, light vs. dark. The book was decidedly british. The movie was american and modern and tiring. Good thing I was drunk when I watched it. Good special effects, acting was okay, but... no. Just no,
Recommendation: If you like Susan Cooper, don't watch this. If you like basic fantasy films, go for it. It's not worse than many others, just not very faithful to the book.
Loving Annabelle: I've heard much about the film. It was disappointment. Dear movie makers, just because they are two women instead of a woman and man, you cannot dig up all the cliches from teacher-student situation to suicidal ex-lovers and school dances, where someone sings a ballad to someone else. Okay, I liked the love-making scene. And acting wasn't TOO bad.
Recommendation: You probably have something better to do.
That was long. I hope I can make this into a monthly or bi-monthly thing.
I'm sooo tired. Will go to bed now. Parents tomorrow. But when I come back to Tampere, things will heat up. I've got PLANS.